For sale is my Hofner 495 from 1959.

I've had this guitar for ~8yrs, I played it regularly in the first year, and hardly at all since, it hasn't been played for at least 3 yrs. It's been sat in its hardcase without strings.

There are a few issues that should be noted, please see photos :
- There are a few white paint flecks in various spots, like this when I bought it.
- The lacquer has bubbled and is damaged in some areas on the back, it was already like this when I bought it.
- There is some green substance (oxidisation/rust?) around the tuning studs as they contact the white shroud material.
- The tuning pegs have visible fine checking/possible cracking, I was always concerned when tuning that I'd break one, but never did.
- The tuning pegs are not dead-straight, the high-e string is noticeably bent.
- It's not currently strung, but I remember there was some tuning slippage on the high strings.
- The bridge doesn't snugly fit the saddle slot - hence the tape.
- Other cosmetic issues can be seen in the pictures.

This guitar could do with a visit to a guitar tech or luthier, noteably the tuning pegs would benefit from a service.

To the best of my knowledge, the neck is a 5-piece, without trussrod.

The hardcase has only been used for this guitar, the fit is practically perfect, the handle snapped years ago so I just wrapped the leather one as seen in pictures. I have 1 key for the case, though I never lock it, the mechanism is pretty shoddy.

I would recommend only stringing this guitar with nylons, although I did string it with very light-guage silk core steel for a few weeks, other than that I always used nylon.

This summary is to the best of my knowledge, if you have any questions or would like specific photos taken, please let me know.

** NO RETURNS ACCEPTED **

Collection only.

Any questions please ask.

Here is the original description from the listing I bought it from years ago, the age is now 65yrs, not 56:

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Ideally this guitar would go to a collector who appreciates a vintage instrument like this.

This Hofner 495 flat top acoustic guitar was built on 6th February 1959. Considering it’s 56 years old, it’s in remarkable condition. It’s no angel though. There’s scuffs, marks, minor dings and fingerboard wear which explains why I’m offering such a rare guitar at such a low price. Importantly, none of these matter when you play it. It’s currently nylon strung and sings out.

Condition:

This vintage Hofner 495 flat top still has the original tuners and displays all of the headstock “Lily of the Valley” inlay. The bindings are intact. The front body purfling and soundhole decoration is also all there. The back of the body is arched with all of the bracing intact. The lacquer is damaged on the lower bout at the back, in two areas. (see images). In its 56 year history it has seen some action. There are paint drops / splatter here and there and someone fitted a jack plug a long time ago. It’s no longer connected to a pickup.

It’s a very good example of a rare guitar that will make a player / collector very happy. I’ve seen a few cutaway versions of this model, but this is the first full-body version that I’ve seen. It has the same 5-piece laminated maple neck as the Hofner President archtop.

· Scale length: 25 ½”

· Action at 12th: 4mm

· Nut width: 50mm

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