1958 Hofner Model 456/S/E2/b Blond, Excellent, Original Hard

A ca. 1958 Blond Hofner Model 456/S/E2/b
1958 Hofner Model 456/S/E2/b
This 16-inch wide, just over 3 1/8 inch deep electric archtop weighs just 4.60 lbs. Two-piece book-matched, flamed maple top with "Höfner" decal in gold with black trim on bass side. One-piece flamed maple back and flamed maple sides. Two-piece lightly-flamed maple neck with a beech center strip, a nut width of 1 11/16 inches, a scale length of 25 inches and a wonderful thick profile. Single-bound 'slab' rosewood fretboard with 22 original jumbo frets and inlaid pearl block position markers. Six-ply binding on the top, six-ply-ply binding on the back and single-bound f-holes. Headstock with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell face - the two separated by two sets of black and white lines. Two-layer pearloid over black plastic heel-cap with no strap button ever added. Single-layer tortoiseshell pickguard with white edging, secured by a single bracket and two pins. Three-in-a-line open back strip tuners tuners with round edge rectangular bone buttons. Two Hofner, height-adjustable single-coil black plastic pickups with outputs of 7.15k and 7.20k. Standard Hofner control panel with two volume controls and three two-way 'slider' switches for "Rhythm/Solo", "Bass" and "Treble". Hofner 'teacup' control knobs with ribbed sides and gold inserts on tops. Bone (single) saddle on height-adjustable ebony base and Hofner trapeze tailpiece. Inside the bass 'f' hole is a small rectangular gold label with "Musikhaus / Pauly / Viersen, Hauptstr.67" printed in black. The jack socket has been strengthened with a professionally fitted metal jack plate cover. The high 'E' tuner shaft is very slightly bent - but this does not affect the tuneability whatsoever. There are a few small and insignificant surface marks but overall, apart from the replaced larger jack plate this guitar is in 100% original exceptionally fine (9.00) condition. This guitar has never had, or needed a neck reset. Housed in the original five-latch shaped, black hardshell case with green felt lining, original leather handle included in case pocket (8.50). Although the archtop Hofners from this period were built without a truss-rod, this example has a perfectly straight neck with very low action and great playability. (#1852)