VISITORS'
GALLERY
The pages where other people's Hofners are featured.
GALLERY 2A: SOLID BODIED GUITARS
SELMER DISTRIBUTED MODELS
John Beer's 1959 Colorama II
(Serial # 198)
The following picture-sets of Hofner solid
body guitars have been sent to me over the years by their owners. This
has allowed me to present a much greater range of models and vintages
than encompassed by my own collection, and maybe this will help other
visitors to the site to identify and date their own Hofner.
Click on the underlined heading for each guitar to view photographs of
that particular example.
VISITORS'
OWN HOFNERS:
THE HOFNER COLORAMA
Selmer consistently maintained two ranges of Hofner solid guitars in
their catalogue throughout their distributorship. The budget range was the
"Colorama", based on the European 160, 161, 162, & 164
Models. For a detailed description of the Colorama's history, visit the
Colorama
Fact File elsewhere on this site.
- c1958
HOFNER COLORAMA II
This is a famous guitar, being the actual one featured in the Giltrap
& Marten Hofner Book. It is now owned by David Treloar in
England.
- c1958/59
HOFNER COLORAMA I
A mint condition single pickup Colorama. Same early model as above, but
in blue sparkle finish. This beauty is owned by John Walsh of
Basingstoke, England.
- 1959
HOFNER COLORAMA II
An example of the second version of the Colorama. Still with the
"hollow" plywood body, but with a different scratchplate and a deep red
finish. This is the Colorama with the twin gold-stripes on the body
edge. Owned by John Beer in Somerset, England.
- 1959 HOFNER
COLORAMA II
And another of John Beer's Coloramas. This one was his first guitar,
which he sold in 1961 in order to buy a Burns Artist. It was brought in
for repair to his workshop a few years ago, and he was able to persuade
the owner to sell it back to him. How's that for a fluke??
- 1960
HOFNER COLORAMA II
A slightly later version of the one above - this time fitted with the
Hofner "toaster" pickups. A Broadway vibrato unit has also been fitted
by the original owner back in the 1960's. Now owned by James Seal,
Hertfordshire, England.
- 1960
HOFNER MODEL COLORAMA I
This guitar was purchased new in Germany by its current owner, but it has a
Selmer serial number stamped into the back of the Headstock. Photos supplied
by Olaf Poeter.
- 1960 HOFNER
COLORAMA II
This is similar to the one above, but has the simple trapeze tailpiece.
It left the factory with toaster pickups, but Type 510s are now fitted.
Probably one of the last of the single cutaway Coloramas made. Owned by
Matt Armstrong of the Kaisers.
- 1960/61
HOFNER COLORAMA II
The third style of guitar to be called "Colorama" by Selmer. This
version was called the 164 (163 when fitted with a single pickup) when sold
in Europe. It had a set-neck, and was initially fitted with "toaster" pickups and the
rectangular Hofner control panel, as in this example. Owned by Martin Treasure in the UK.
- 1961
HOFNER COLORAMA II
One of the first fitted with the Type 510 pickups, as well as the
Hofner vibrato. Owned by Mike Bishop in Surrey, England.
- 1961
HOFNER COLORAMA II
This one has been fitted with a Bigsby vibrato unit, probably by Selmer
before supplying the guitar to the retailer, and is owned by Tim
Fletcher from Manchester, UK.
- c1962
HOFNER COLORAMA I AND COLORAMA II
A matching pair of non-tremolo Coloramas, owned by Luke Davies of
Wrexham, Wales.
- 1963
HOFNER COLORAMA II
In 1963, the Colorama was changed from having a set-neck to a bolt-on neck.
This one is mint example of that version that even retains its original Selmer case, strap, and
truss-rod key ! Owned by Paul Hunter in Middlesbrough, England.
- 1963 HOFNER
COLORAMA I
Howard Parry from Lancashire owns this single pickup version of the one
above.
- 1964
HOFNER COLORAMA I
The last version produced of the Colorama. Owned by Mark Gibson of
Essex, England.
- 1964
HOFNER COLORAMA II
A nice example of the twin pickup version of the last Colorama version with the
asymmetrical body cutaways.
Owned by Ross Beedle from Northumberland, England.
- 1964 HOFNER COLORAMA II
One of the very last of the symmetrical cutaway Coloramas to be made. From
the serial numbers, it would appear that this type continued to be produced
for a short time in parallel with the newer asymmetrical cutaway version. This one was
originally finished in "Selmer Blue", although it has since been
re-finished in a slightly deeper blue. Interestingly the neck was also
originally finished in blue. (Was this guitar sprayed by Selmer UK prior to
passing it onto the retailer, as happened with many of the Stratocasters
being imported by Selmer at the time?) It also had a plastic headstock logo
instead of the usual decal type. Owned by Riccardo Abbondanza in Rome,
Italy.
- 1964
HOFNER COLORAMA II
A tremolo equipped red Colorama, owned by Mike Owens in California, USA.
- 1964
HOFNER COLORAMA II
This one is fitted with the optional Hofner tremolo tailpiece. Owned by
Stephen Jenkins, Hampshire, England. The Colorama seems to have disappeared from
the Selmer range by 1965.
THE SEMI-PRO HOFNER SOLIDS
The better quality solid guitar alternative to the Colorama offered by
Selmer changed design and name at frequent intervals during the 1960's.
All these guitars were fitted with tremolo arms. The following is a
brief progression through the various models:
The Hofner
"V" Solids (First Series) - Set Neck, Built-in Vibrato, and
Sunbust Finish, although
some later guitars (1961) had a translucent red finish ("red glow"),
and
some a Bigsby Vibrato Unit. Offered with one (V1), two (V2, or V4 with
Bigsby), or three
pickups (V3, or V5 with Bigsby). Rectangular Hofner control consul.
Produced 1960 to 1961. Hofner European Equivalent - Models
171(i)/172(i)/173(i).
The Hofner
"V" Solids (Second Series) - Bolt on neck and Strat shaped
body with red finish. Again fitted with rectangular control and choice
of one, two, or three pickups. Twin dot fret markers and a clear
varnished headstock. Produced late 1961 to early 1963. Hofner European
Equivalent - Not sure if there was one?
The Hofner Super Solid - A development from the red
V3, but with individual rotary controls instead of the rectangular
consul. Either two or three pickup versions available. With exception
of early examples, strip type fret markers were used, and a black faced
headstock. Produced during 1963 and into 1964. Hofner European
Equivalent - Models 172(ii)/173(ii)
The Hofner Galaxie - A revised body, with "offset
waist" shape. Also, much more complex electrics fitted, with individual
selector switches and "radio" style tone controls for each pickup.
Available between late 1963 and the early 1970's. Red cellulose
finished body generally, but some sunburst examples were also sold in
the late 1960's/early 70's. The Hofner European Equivalent was the
Model 176
- 1960 HOFNER
V2 SOLID
The two pickup version of my
own V3 featured elsewhere on the site. Thanks, Tony
Woollett, for the photo of your guitar.
- 1960 HOFNER V3
SOLID
This guitar is interesting because it seems to have left the factory
with the vibrato unit springs set in tension rather than compression as
is usual with Hofner vibratos. I have recently seen another similar
example to this. Guitar owned by H. J. Kamphuis in The Netherlands.
- 1960/61 HOFNER
V3 SOLID
This guitar is probably the most famous Hofner V3 ever! It is owned by
Chris Rea, who uses it frequently on stage and in the studio.
- 1960
HOFNER V2 SOLID
Another ""set-neck"" V2, and this one still has its original Selmer
crocodile hard case. Those cases are now fairly rare and definitely
collectable !! Guitar (and case!) are owned by Graham Merry who now
lives in Germany.
- 1961
HOFNER V2 SOLID
Another V2 - this one has just been restored by Jim Dougans of
Bedfordshire, England.
- 1961 HOFNER V3 SOLID
A totally original V3 - it still has the vibrato tailpiece cover and Selmer
croc-skin case. Photos courtesy of Anthont Te Paa in New Zealand.
- 1961
HOFNER V5 SOLID
One of the rare V5 solids, with translucent red finish and factory
fitted with a Bigsby vibrato. The two pickup V4 and the three pickup V5
were introduced into the Selmer catalogue in 1961. This beautiful and
original guitar was found by Matt Armstrong for sale in a music store
in Edinburgh. It is now owned by Ian Thomson.
- 1961/62
HOFNER V3 VERSION 2
The bolt-on neck V3, with the Strat shaped body, but still with the
Hofner rectangular control consul. Photos courtesy of Music Ground,
Leeds, England.
- 1962/63
HOFNER SUPER SOLID 3
The Selmer model that followed the red V2/V3 Solids, and pre-dated the
introduction of the Galaxie. This particular guitar, owned by Ray
Pickup in Cheshire England, is a very early example of the Super Solid.
It still has the twin dot fret markers of the Red V2/3, and a clear
varnished headstock facia.
- c1963
HOFNER SUPER SOLID 2
The next development of the Super Solid was the "bar" type fret markers
and the black headstock facia. Courtesy of Wizard Guitars, Doncaster,
England.
- c1963
HOFNER SUPER SOLID 3
The three pickup version of the above and a nice one, owned by Melvyn
in the UK. Purchase price of this guitar was 50 guineas in 1963.
- 1963 HOFNER
SUPER SOLID 3
Another lovely example of the Super Solid, still with the
adonised steel scratchplate, but now fitted with the later Type 511
"Super" twin-coil pickups. Owned by Peter Dommett of Music Video Showcase TV.
- 1964
HOFNER SUPER SOLID 2
A later guitar than the two above. The Solid had been improved at this
stage by the fitting of the later Type 511 "Staple" humbucking pickups and a micromatic
bridge. In addition, the adonised steel scratchplate had been changed
to a laminated plastic type. - No more scratches! This guitar is owned
by Graham Hall in North Wales, and it still has its original Selmer
case.
- 1964
HOFNER SUPER SOLID 2
The final version of the Super Solid, made for a few months in parallel
with the first Galaxies. This guitar now has the Galaxie-style tremolo
cover and arm. Owned by Glen Griffiths of Cheshire, England.
- 1963
HOFNER GALAXIE
Hofner's best known and most loved solid guitar. Plenty of switches on
this to satisfy the most demanding technocrat! A nice example owned by
Scott Hager of Ontario, Canada.
- c1963
HOFNER GALAXIE
A mint example, courtesy of Music Ground, Leeds, England.
- LATE
60's HOFNER GALAXIE
One of the later, and considerably rarer, sunburst Selmer distributed
Galaxie's. Again, thanks Music Ground for letting me photograph this
unusual guitar.
- 1965/66
HOFNER GALAXIE
Another nice sunburst Galaxies. This one is owned by Paul Hunter of
Middlesbrough England, and it still has its original Selmer "crocodile"
case and, would you believe, a bottle of the 1960's Selmer guitar
polish !!
Return to HOFNER GUITAR MISCELLANY INDEX PAGE.