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The pages where other people's Hofners are featured.


SOLID BODIED HOFNER GUITARS
- SELMER DISTRIBUTED MODELS


Selmer Advertisement from January 1962 New Musical Express.


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.



THE SEMI-PRO HOFNER SOLIDS

Selmer Advertisement for the "New" Hofner "V"-Solid Guitars, September 1960.

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

THE HOFNER "V"  SOLIDS:

THE HOFNER SUPER SOLIDS:

THE HOFNER GALAXIE:





Guy Audoux's Collection of 1960/62 Hofner Solids
Left to Right: Hofner V2; Hofner (185) Two-Pickup Solid Bass: Hofner (182) One-Pickup Solid Bass; Hofner V3; Hofner V4.



 
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