1960 Hofner President

**Pweb** · 08-15-2019, 09:46 AM

This is my first post to this very helpful forum but I've been following it for a while.

A lovely Hofner archtop, which has been in the family for years, has just passed into my hands.

From what I can tell it's a 1960 President, the acoustic version, but someone's installed a pickup, pots and jack socket somewhere along the way.

Even with the very old and very light strings that are on it, it has a lovely resonant acoustic tone. Can't wait to hear it with decent strings.

Anyway, the crux of my question:
The electronics don't seem to be working, so I'll need to take it to a luthier, and I was thinking that a floating pickup might do it more justice. Although that will leave holes in the top, I'm more concerned about getting the best from the guitar sonically. Unless for some reason the pickup that's already on there would be better.

Anyone recognise the pickup that's on there? And is it worth keeping?

Thanks in advance
Peter

**cmajor9** · 08-15-2019, 10:31 AM

Congratulations on the Hofner! I’d like to help identify the pickup, but I don’t see any photo. Maybe try linking it again?

**Pweb** · 08-15-2019, 10:37 AM

Oops!

**Pweb** · 08-15-2019, 10:52 AM

Also I meant to say, any pickup recommendations - floating or otherwise - gratefully received. Feels like a very light build and I believe they had carved spruce tops.

**Hammertone** · 08-15-2019, 11:05 AM

The pickup looks like a Japanese copy of the "staple" pickup provided to Hofner by Franz Pix. The pickup ring is closer to the later-'60s size/shape used by Schaller when they began to supply pickps to Hofner after Pix. If the electronics are not working, the fault may be in the wiring between the pickup and the output jack. Any competent tech can isolate the problem. If the pickup itself works, I'd leave it as is and simply repair the wiring. If the pickup is not functional, I'd replace it with a similarly sized Schaller pickup from the late 1960s.

A few the Schallers here (#504/505/506) might fit the existing pickup rings without major surgery:
Musikkeller || einzelteile

**Pweb** · 08-15-2019, 11:20 AM

Thank you

**Hammertone** · 08-15-2019, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Pweb

...Feels like a very light build and I believe they had carved spruce tops.

All post-war Hofner archtops were built with laminated backs and rims until the Chancellor (now discontinued), was introduced in 2004.

Only a few models ever had carved spruce tops. Spruce-topped models like the 457 (and the equivalent President) switched from solid to laminated top plates in @'58. Following that, some continued to be made with solid spruce top plates as well as laminated top plates, because of beer. Since your guitar has had the top cut for the set-in pickup, it's very easy to check the construction style by unscrewing the pickup assembly and lifting it up to see the end-grain of the plate where it has been cut.

Hofner made its own laminates and they were typically very light, resulting in responsive and lightweight archtop guitars. This approach has been adopted by a few contemporary makers as well for some of their models.

**Pweb** · 08-15-2019, 11:31 AM

Thanks Hammertone, that's really helpful info. I'll have a look at the edges in the pickup cavity.

**dot75** · 08-15-2019, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

because of beer.

Wha ?

**Greentone** · 08-15-2019, 12:49 PM

If you can get the electronics working, I think the temptation would be great to stay with what's installed. It looks great and should also sound great.

VERY nice guitar. Happy NGD.

**Hammertone** · 08-15-2019, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by dot75

Wha ?

In theory, carved plates continued to be used for the acoustic versions and laminated plates for the electric versions. After a few frosties at lunch, my guess is that that particular practice may not have always been followed.

**Pweb** · 08-16-2019, 03:03 AM

Thanks so much everyone for all the replies, info and advice. I'll definitely start by trying to get the existing pickup working.

**cmajor9** · 08-16-2019, 04:26 AM

My advice would be to try and get the existing pickup working, if its not too difficult, then see if you like the sound it gives you. Good luck!

**Pweb** · 08-16-2019, 06:12 AM

Just cleaned it up and strung it with flatwounds, and it sounds incredible. I was saving up/looking around for a quality archtop so I can't believe my luck.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice. Can't wait to hear it with the pickup working.

**pingu** · 08-16-2019, 08:58 AM

I've got an acoustic 60's Pres
i use flats on mine too as its a very bright guitar
its still too bright for me
thinking of going to black nylons

i'd get the existing pu and loom out of it
and fix it up all up
can you solder ?
its probably just a wire off

Congrats ....loud aren't they !

**Pweb** · 08-16-2019, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by pingu

I've got an acoustic 60's Pres
i use flats on mine too as its a very bright guitar
its still too bright for me
thinking of going to black nylons

i'd get the existing pu and loom out of it
and fix it up all up
can you solder ?
its probably just a wire off

Congrats ....loud aren't they !

Thanks, I may try that, but will likely just drop it into my local tech to be on the safe side. But yes, probably an easy fix.

Yeah they certainly are loud! Really fun.