yep as always my local music store(literally within walking distance) "King louis music " in pretoria is a goldmine of 2nd hand guitars , and yesterday i found an old hofner 4572 ........ and i want it ........ ? i have read how to date them (it's written under the top ) but i need a dental mirror to see it thru the f hole cos it's under the top and not visible without a mirror ........ so i have no idea of the exact date . but by the model and the layout and hardware it's late 60's early to mid 70's , this was a more budget range according to the info on the net ......
the guitar is basically a copy (not exact but close) to a Gibson ES330
it's in a gorgeous aged sunburst , has a zero fret , and despite being 40 odd years old is in great condition ..all the metal hardware shows slight signs of corrosion which adds to the vintage vibe .......the top has some hairline cracks in the finish which also looks so cool .......however the back is free from them and there's minimum fret ware and they seem original .so i'm guessing the guitar was hung on a wall for many years and and NOT played much so the top was damaged by sun ect but the back was NOT due to it not being in direct light ....... and that would explain the minimum fret wear , the headstock has the "made in Germany" logo on the back which is correct and the hofner logo and headstock decoration is correct according to what i seen online.......
sounds ........ well it sounds like a jazz guitar but the thing i like most is the guitar is very immeadiate when you play it ..... the notes jump out at you and stay clear and for my fingerstyle playing thats a benefit ..... very easy guitar to play as most people who like vintage/dated gear will tell you some are not the easiest to play but having that old tone is what makes it worth it ...... this one is just the opposite a players guitar ..and with that "old jazz tone"
the owner of the store is shrewd........ ? he saw i liked it and i did play it in the store thru a fender deluxe reverb amp ........ but he said to me when's your next gig .i said sunday and he said take it and play it ...and either on monday bring it back or pay me for it .............. "bastard" ? thats the kiss of death of anyone trying NOT to spend on yet more guitars i don't need ......... as i said very shrewd ........ and believe it or not he let me take it without any paperwork or photocopying my ID which i actually offered ....... but i have bought lots of gear there in last years i been living in pta so i guess it's old fashion "trust"
so i'm almost already convinced i'll take it .......... it sounds way cool thru my own tube amp ....... but lets test drive it at sundays gig and see........
and again i don't need this guitar just i'm a sucker for vintage gear , i need to go to "vintage guitar rehab" , i see em and fall in love with em...yet can walk past a row of brand new top end guitars and barely turn my head to notice em.........
so does anyone own any hofners .....or know anything about em....... (i have been on all the vintage websites)
