This item is a commission sale. If you have a high-end guitar, bass or amplifier you’re interested in selling please contact us.
Please see our Reverb listing for all photos detailling the guitars condition in full-https://reverb.com/item/89802032-hofner-congress-cognac-burst-1956-hollow-body-acoustic-guitar?publish_confirmation=true
Here for sale we have a very special Hofner Congress Hollow-Body Archtop guitar in Cognac Burst finish. Made in Germany, our research and the specification of this guitar indicate that it was made around 1956 - certainly pre-1960 due to the absence of a truss rod. The Hofner Congress was an affordable guitar available in the UK through the Selmer catalogue for 20 years between 1953 & 1973, and was one of Hank Marvin's first guitars.
This guitar features a set-neck construction comprising a Laminated Maple body, 3-piece Maple neck and 22 fret Rosewood fingerboard with matching bridge. Appointments include a Chrome tailpiece, tortoise shell pickguard and Gold open-geared tuning machines. A single-coil pickup has been installed in the neck position by a previous owner.
The 3-piece Maple neck plays well, with a profile that could be described as a substantial 'D' shape. The substantial neck profile provides a unique and characterful playing experience that is sure to inspire some fresh musical ideas. The Rosewood fingerboard is pleasant under the fingers, and with a highly practical 7.25" radius allows for smooth jazzy lines in all registers.
The acoustic tone of the Hofner Congress is warm and gentle, delivering an understated yet detailed low end, clear mid range and bright but not brittle treble response that beautifully colours the overall sound of the instrument. The amplified tone provides a more powerful bass response, and is certainly traditional sounding for a hollow-body 'jazz box'. This is a wonderfully preserved and highly playable instrument with a unique playing experience and tone, and at around 60 years old has plenty more to give.
Please be aware that for international buyers import fees are not included in our postage and packaging cost, this only covers the cost of the guitar being sent to you. Import fees will be charged by Customs upon the guitar's arrival in the recipient country. Due to Brexit, this also applies to EU buyers. We advise checking the total import cost with Customs as this is not information we are able to accurately provide.
Hofner Congress Cognac Burst 1956 Hollow Body Acoustic Guitar
Brand- Hofner
Model- Congress
Finish- Cognac(Sunburst)
Year- c.1956
Made In- Germany
Body- Laminated Maple
Neck- Maple
Fingerboard- Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius- 7.25”
Frets- 22
Scale Length- 25.5"
Nut Width- 1.671”
Pickups- Aftermarket Single-Coil (Neck)
Controls- Master Volume
Luthier Report
COMMISSION - Hofner Congress 1956
Our ID: 106052598551
Weight: 3.45lbs
Serial: 4368
Aesthetic Condition:
Headstock: Overall very good condition, all aspects of the headstock demonstrate light scratching, indentation and chipping of the finish. This is most notable to the corners of the headstock where chipping reveals wood beneath. The finish has checked as expected for an instrument of this age.
Neck: Overall very good condition, the rear of the neck demonstrates moderate indentation throughout the register which has chipped the finish slightly in some places. The fingerboard demonstrates discoloration surrounding the frets, with finish wearing away at the fingerboard edge.
Body: Overall very good conditions, all aspects of the body demonstrate light scratching, indentation, chipping and cracking of the finish in line with an instrument of this age. This is most notable to the treble side waist of the front face where shrinkage has caused finish cracking over time. This does not affect the structure of the instrument.
Condition of Frets:
The frets demonstrate moderate signs of use, not affecting playability. The fret ends have been rounded to the countour of the board. There is moderate material remaining for future fret work.
Current Set Up:
Truss Rod: N/A
Hardware: Fully functional with moderate signs of wear.
Structural: The heel of the neck is raised, likely previous work to accommodate a more ideal angle over the body join. This does not flex or move with pressure. The neck demonstrates more relief than is ideal, however remains entirely playable.
Height of the string from the 12th Fret-2.5mm - Bass 3mm
Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.
Strings on Guitar - 10-46
Electrics:
Aftermarket Alnicov Pickup fitted.
Case & Accessories
Hard case
The case demonstrates notable signs of use, remaining fully functional.