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Höfner (Höfner) President Archtop

3.5 (3)

2 Reviews

Find out who is using Hofner President

1 community setup

2 wishlisted

9 saved

Page last updated Jan 17, 2026

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1958

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TheJRGuitars

1958 HOFNER Archtop Acoustic Guitar Demo

TheJRGuitars

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hofner (Höfner) President Archtop.

Features and functionality

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The 1966 transitional model of the Höfner President features a unique 3-knob layout alongside the 511 Staple pickups, differing from more standardized configurations.
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Value and pricing

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In the U.S., the value of a clean Höfner President from this era is approximately $1,000, reflecting its higher demand compared to Europe.
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A 1952 model was recently purchased for $700, considered a good deal by enthusiasts familiar with its market value.
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Build quality

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Höfner guitars from this period often display irregular combinations of parts and specs, which are factory-original and not necessarily indicative of customization.
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The 1952 Höfner President is praised for its excellent intonation across the neck, notable for a vintage guitar lacking a truss rod.
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Use cases and applications

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The inclusion of Staple pickups from 1963-1966 makes this model suitable for vintage tone enthusiasts seeking authentic 1960s sound characteristics.
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Setup and maintenance

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Adjusting the bridge for full contact is recommended to enhance the sound projection and fullness.
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User experience

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Owners describe the sound as crisp, percussive, and highly responsive, offering significant projection and fullness.
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3.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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1 star

beatles1969

6812

about 9 years ago

My favourite

This was my first real guitar. I have got the German version (not distributed by Selmer London) of this guitar. Although the neck is a bit concave it still plays great. But with .011 Rotosounds the tone of the guitar gets quite trebly. Next time I will thy those fabled Martin MEC-12. Hopefully they will sound richer. Edit: After trying several kinds of strings I found out that the Thomastik Infeld Plectrum AC112 are the best strings for this guitar (in my opinion). They sound fuller than the Rotosounds and last more than twice as long as the Martins. So if you have got a Hofner like mine and you wonder what strings you should buy for this guitar, try those Thomastiks.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Rock Pop Folk, World, & Country

From Gear Setup

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago about 9 years ago

the brit ones are supposed to be inferior.... hofner's thing is bright. I have a carvin branded verithin from the early 80s and its the brightest semi-hollow on earth even with muddy carvin bucker in it. Every german hofner I play is bright, I think its just the spruce they like to use. You're lucky to have a legit, german 50s hofner, man. Embrace it.

beatles1969

6812

9 years ago about 9 years ago

: )

skylinerr

5339

over 7 years ago

Its alright

I have had it for ages a "58 President I bought ages ago for £150 just because it looked nice in a charity shop the problem is the neck is a little twisted.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal