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c1996/7
Hofner 457 President Special.
Believed to be Unique!
This is clearly the last of the line of 457's
but has several specific features that distinguish it from
the normal 457. In particular, it has a
deeper than normal body, Ebony fingerboard and Gold
hardware. It seemed to me that this guitar had
all the features of the New President and I suspected it
might well be a prototype of the new model.
In
2009, I was
able to show pics and discuss this guitar with Klaus Schöller, Graham Stockley and Hubert Kaa at Hofner.
They confirmed that this 457 might possibly have been a
special customer order but, taking into account all
the distinguishing features (the year, the choice of
woods, body size, finish, and hardware) it
is most likely to be the final prototype for the New
President which shares all these features, whereas the 457
had none of them. The only difference
between this and the NP is that this one has a laminated
top. Either way, its a great
guitar - very jazzy, with a nice slim neck and
great tone!
It is
complete with its original case and in perfect, original,
mint condition showing just a few checking lines on the
Spruce top. It is from an era when Hofner used a
polyester type finish and the checking lines are quite
distinctive but characteristic of its period.
There is no label with this instrument, in common with
most Hofner prototypes.
If
this is the last of the Presidents it makes a very fitting
tribute to a long line of superb guitars that saw a gentle
transition from Rock to Jazz.
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