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| Description HOFNER
The Ambassador
MODEL 5126
1966
SN: 329 (of only 500 built)
EXTREMELY RARE & COLLECTIBLE.
“The Barney Euro Kessel”
THE HOFNER AMBASSADOR
Introduced in 1965, this thinline archtop had twin Type 511 "Staple" pickups, and two Florentine cutaways on it's 2" deep body. Finish was tobacco sunburst, and with its fully inset neck joint, as opposed to Hofner's usual cantilever violin style joint, it was much more in the style of a Gibson. The Ambassador was available to Selmer customers only, up to about 1968. It's European/US equivalent was the Hofner Model 4578. A very rare vintage guitar from my personal collection.
The Hofner page notes: “A few exist in private collections but it remains one of the more obscure (Hofner) models…and was one of the best thin line arch tops produced in the 1960’s.”
This was one of the “SELMER” Hofner guitars in that it was only available to customers of Selmer. It was discontinued in 1968 due to lower than expected sales.
In fact, Hofner was betting on this guitar to sell very well due to their deliberate attempt to “recreate” the Gibson “Barney Kessel” guitar that had been introduced in the USA in 1961 and was widely acclaimed as a “jazz” guitar. But this guitar was not only styled like a Gibson, it was built like one.
The first feature on this guitar that makes it “feel like a Gibson” is its full length joint from the end of the fretboard to the neck heel (they called it “a fully inset neck”). This was far different than other Hofners that had rather flimsy cantilever “violin” neck joints that extended over (and above) the top of the body. Now this guitar felt sturdy and strong when you picked it up. To me it seems like an industrial grade Hofner ready to play and play some more whereas many of the other Hofner arch tops were lifted gently out of their cases, played lightly on the “money chords” section of the neck, and then replaced gently into their cases. This model invites you to do some string bending and to do solos all the way down to the bottom end of the fretboard.
The addition of the two “horns” a/k/a “Florentine cutaways”, again was totally a copy of the Barney Kessel, and added to the “sturdy feel” of the guitar. Early players of guitars with “horns” remarked that it made them feel like they were playing “in the valley next to the twin peaks”. Maybe an illusion but the presence of these “horns”, plus the inset neck joint, made a Gibson out of a Hofner.
Details of “The Ambassador” guitar:
1. It is considered a “thin line arch top” having a 2” deep body.
2. Came with twin “Type 511 Pickups” a/k/a “Staples pickups”.
3. Has open back tuners.
4. Roller Bridge.
5. Hofner “elegant” tailpiece.
6. Finish is standard “Tobacco Sunburst”.
My guitar is in in “good” cosmetic condition. Most of the dents, dings, nicks, scratches, etc. are on the top of the guitar. This is because of the softness of the spruce wood used for the top. It shows “relic age” so you don’t need to hire someone to beat it with a chain or drag it behind a riding lawnmower. That has already been done by good honest play. But look at the neck, it looks almost new so I believe this was a “casual house guitar” where the former owner(s) bought it-didn’t play it-left it sitting out around the house to be picked up, moved over, and licked by the dog. That would account for the many small dents, dings, scratches, etc. and the usual finish cracks are there as well. It terms of playability, it is great. It’s not heavy and its balance is very good thanks to its “thin line” body design. All electronics work well.
It comes with a case but it does not seem to be the original. Please ask all questions before bidding or buying this vintage guitar.
ALL TRADES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
If you are a HOFNER COLLECTOR, this is one of the "must have pieces".
NOTE: I am not a DEALER. This guitar comes directly from my PERSONAL COLLECTION consisting of 1,600+ pieces. Thank you for viewing this auction and please look at the other items I have for sale on ebay and Reverb at this time.TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Understanding the normal hesitation of buying a guitar without first playing it, I want to make sure this guitar makes you happy. To accomplish that, I want you to try it for 72 hours (three days). Play it, hold it, walk around with it on your back, sleep with it-whatever it takes for you to make sure it is the one for you. During that time, you can return it for a full refund of your payment price (but of course it needs to be treated well while you have as I expect you will) less shipping cost and you must pay the cost to ship it back to us.
If it arrives damaged, please let me know immediately by email. Be sure to hold onto all packing material and the box. I will contact the shipper for an inspection. Remember that this can take up to a couple of weeks but I will rush it along.
Minor problems. If there is a problem with the guitar when it arrives, e.g., loose wires etc. then I will work with you to get it repaired by someone in your area. A. Payment Policy: PAYMENT DUE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PURCHASE.
B. Shipping Policy: I will ship to the continental USA, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe (All) at actual cost by USPS. Please contact us for a quote to ship outside the continental USA.
C. Return Policy:
1. Returnable within 3 days of delivery. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.
2. Returns of undamaged and unmodified instruments may allowed, with permission of Seller, for a period of up to 14 days following delivering but will be subject to a 20% restocking fee. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.
D. Refunds: Buyer receives a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.
E. The guarantee:
1. The guitar is in the cosmetic condition as described in this ad. Used guitars will all have signs of use to include dings, dents, scratches, smudges, etc.
2, The guitar is in fully operational condition.
3. Buyer has 72 hrs. to inspect the guitar or have it inspected. Any defects, damage, misrepresentations or other problems must be reported within that time period in writing to the Seller.
4. In the case of damage during shipment, Buyer shall immediately inform seller of such damage and will maintain all original packing materials and box for inspection by the transportation company.
5. If other problems are discovered, Seller will either arrange for repair etc. at a location near the Buyer or request that the Buyer return the guitar to the Seller. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.
Seller will correct indicated problems and ship the guitar back to the Buyer within 7-10 days of receiving it.
6. Refund Procedure.
a. In the event that the guitar cannot be repaired or replaced with a similar item from Seller’s inventory, the Seller will provide a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.
b. During this 72-hour evaluation period, the Buyer may return the guitar for any reason by notifying Seller and receiving a Return Authorization number. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.
c. Returns may be allowed, with permission of Seller and issuance of RA#, after the 72 hour evaluation period for up to 14 days total but a standard 20% Restocking Fee will be charged for the return. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.
NOTE: I want each Buyer of a guitar from my collection to be pleased and happy with his/her purchase so let me know immediately of any problems with your purchase so that we can work it out. Thanks.Thank you for looking at this incredible VINTAGE guitar from my collection.
Buyers outside of the continental USA should contact us for a shipping quote before buying this guitar. Thanks.
Shipping SHIPPING CHARGES. The charges listed in this ad are for the continental US only. Shipment outside that area is at actual cost and Buyer must pay all tariffs, duties, and other charges that may be levied on the item when it is imported into its final destination. And for foreign buyers, please request a quote for shipping cost before you bid. No surprises are always good. And please do not ask that we use a lower value for an export shipment. NOTE: WE WILL NOT SHIP TO ANY THIRD PARTY AND WE WILL NOT DO SHIP TO ANY FIRM, SUCH AS Shop Airlines America or sekaimon WHO RESHIPS THE ITEM OUTSIDE THE USA. SHIPPING DAMAGE. Any external, or internal, shipping damage MUST BE REPORTED to Seller and to Carrier within 24 hours of receipt of delivery. IT IS THE BUYER?S RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY SELLER IMMEDIATELY IF THE INSTRUMENT HAS INCURRED ANY DAMAGE DURING SHIPMENT. IN THE EVENT OF SUCH DAMAGE, PLEASE RETAIN ALL SHIPPING MATERIALS FOR INSPECTION.NO EXCEPTION.
Terms of Sale 1. Payment must be received within five days of the end of the auction. 2. NO REFUNDS. Please ask your questions before you bid. As noted under "Shipping", we will repair any defective item. This does not apply to shipping damage or to damage after receipt. Please note that every guitar we sell has been fully audited, tested, set up,inspected, and photograph prior to shipment.
About Us ABOUT TUNEYOURSOUND. Tune Your Sound Sound Your Tune Guitars make Sounds ! Guitar players make Tunes. But which guitar makes your Tune best?The beginning point in making a tune is You. The music in your head goes to your hands which form chords and notes. The end point is the Tune heard by those listening created by the Sounds of the instruments in between. Our job at TuneYourSound.com (TYS) is to fill in the middle. Or, in other words, "complete the chain". We are guitar players and collectors at TuneYourSound.com. Collectively we have personally owned and played over 1800 guitars. And we have seen guitar players play-from Jimi using his teeth to Jimmy using his bow. And now, we want to tell you what we have learned over the years and under the stages. First: There should be two primary guitars in your life. The one you start with (by choice or coincidence) and the one you finish with (once you find it, you'll know it and keep it). But of course, humans are acquisitive by nature, so we are prone to own more than we need-but a guitar player must have what he really needs. Two: Sometimes it's better for a guitar to be heard than seen and other times it's better for a guitar to be seen than heard. So, play it both ways. Buy a guitar that does both. Three: Avoid the hype. Especially now with the Internet overloading us with data. Buy a guitar that you trust from someone you trust. Four: Make it personal. Establish a relationship with your seller. That way you will never be disappointed-nor abandoned. After all, it is still about money-your money. And you deserve to get more than you give. At TuneYourSound.com, we have the answer!
Please contact us directly at ebay email system.
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