Old German archtops

Buco · May 11

Good price. The ones I found are all over $1K. I'd be tempted myself.

Willie · May 22

@DoubleWhisky

You posted the vintage Hopf Saturn belonging to a friend of yours here.

Hopf has reissued the model (price around 9.900 €!), there is a feature in the actual GITARRE &BASS magazine:

Edit: I had to correct the price; as shown on the specification pic it's not 9.000 but 9.900 €.

billyshakes · May 22

Wow, 9000 Euro? I appreciate this thread because I've learned a lot about German manufacturers. But for that price, I could get a vintage ES-335. I could get a nice new Paul Reed Smith. Is there really that large of a market for a remake of this guitar? Why would someone pay this much over some of those other instruments in this range that have a great reputation. Is it just my American-centric bias here? Thanks, @Willie .

Edit: And are the original Saturn 63s going for this same price? If not, why would someone buy the remake instead of the original? Unless they are limiting this to a low number of pieces for those hoping for later scarcity?

Buco · May 22

It must be a very limited production and that could be one of the reasons to justify the cost. Does the article say how many are they making, Willie? How does the article writer/s like it?

I suppose they've done their research and decided there's a market for it. It sure sounds like it will have a very limited, niche market. Hopefully it appeals to enough wealthy people. It's a cool looking guitar, it would be shame for it to sit in the store windows and stock rooms for years.

billyshakes · May 22

I guess I found the answer myself. Their website (https://www.hopf-eguitars.com/saturn23) mentions that the Saturn 63 was the model on the "gravestone" of the Star-Club in Hamburg, where the Beatles famously played (among others). So I suppose they are trading on that? Sort of like would the Hofner bass be as famous and popular if Paul McCartney didn't play it? Perhaps not. Or, for that matter, would a Selmer be as famous w/o Django playing it?

If it is German-made, it will likely be high quality production. Plus, the luthier looks like he has built guitars for the Scorpions and Uli Roth among others and is legit. I'll root for him!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OdHPqSLgIc

Willie · May 22

Yes, Hopf still is one of the big names in the German guitar world. The author of the article about the Saturn 23 is full of praise for this guitar: fine materials from wood to hardware, all handmade, excellent playability, highly versatile sounds ... Nevertheless even being the reincarnation of the Star Club Guitar for me does not justify almost 10.000 €.

Edit:

This vintage Saturn 63 was sold on Reverb for 1.367,02 €: