Other European guitars

Willie

The "Höfner" logo with this guitar is a sticker near the bridge, which might help to determine its age. German vintage Guitars say that with the 455 model the logo was punched near the bridge before 1957, sticked at the same position in 1957, and afterwards sticked on the upper bout (https://german-vintage-guitar.com/instrumente-im-verkauf/jazz-schlaggitarren-archtops/1208/hoefner-455/s-1957). My new find has similarities to non-cutaway 455 models as for example the 16" body and the fret inlays, but the headstock looks different.

Buco

It has a great classic archtop sound.

Willie

I have to correct myself. The logo is no sticker, but punched into the top. So the guitar might be built before 1957 - if the above information about the 455 logo is true and the guitar is a455, or the logo information is valid for all models..

Does anybody know details about the Höfner logo applications over the years?

Willie

Most similar guitar I could find is this 456 model, dated 1949 (logo on the upper bout!):

Edit: found more of them, my "new" guitar really seems to be a 456 model.

Will record something with new strings and post later in "Post your music" (@ChrisMartin: don't want to occupy your thread any longer).

billyshakes

I like the headstock, inlays, and the soundholes of that Neubauer. The headstock pattern is reminiscent of the WWII dazzle paint scheme used on ships. The arrow shaped soundholes give it a sort of "rocket-era" futurism look. Not sure of the age, but it would seem to fit with the 50s. I think I could pass on the red band around the sides as too bold for my staid taste, but there are some neat design elements to it.

Congrats, Willie, on your own find. It looks gorgeous and at a steal of a price. Is that a crack on the lower bout towards the F-hole or just a surface scratch?

Willie

@billyshakes It's just a surface scratch. Yes, I'm glad with that find! I saw rather identical 456 models for 600 €, with cutaway even more.

@ChrisMartin Although I said I'd post the recording not here I want to do it. It's not "my music", so it doesn't fit to "Post your music"; but it will be the last of my Höfner posts in "Other European guitars":

Höfner 456 Miro Django.mp3

They mostly look better without pickguard, I think ...

Willie

Couldn't resist this Musima today, maybe model "Harmonie". Musima is one of the GDR music factories https://schlaggitarren.de/archtop/musima-veb-musikinstrumentenbau-markneukirchen/, the guitar might be built1954.

Plays good, sounds rich and warm even with those ancient strings attached. Will put on 0.11 Elixier Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb.

elianu

Hello everyone, I think it's the right topic. Today I bought for 30 euros this small, parlor size guitar, similar in shape to a Gibson L1 guitar. A few adjustments to make ( the bridge was misplaced 0,5 cm too near the neck and a lot of dirt to clean.

Online I've found very few informations about this MORENA brand; someone says it is California related, other says it is linked to Italy or even Mexico. Has someone ever seen one of these? Online you'll find a few archtop models of this brand.

elianu

Hello, has everyone ever seen something like this? Seems german or eastern.

Willie

Body design is funny, but the gap between neck and body and the brutal screw are strong indicators for a would-be guitar maker.