This guitar is a commission sale - if you have a high end guitar you are interested in selling, please contact us via our easy to find website - search: Sell Us Your Guitar.
Here for sale we have a Hofner Ambassador in Brunette finish. Made in Germany, the serial number and specification of this guitar indicates that it was produced around 1966. The Ambassador was a short-lived model, available in the UK between '65 & '68 from the Selmer Catalogue. With less than 500 ever made, this guitar is now one of the rarest Hofners available. The Hofner 'Nova-Sonic' 511 'Staple' pickups which are installed in this instrument were discontinued by the end of '66, and along with the low serial number point to the guitar's manufacture in 1966.
A set-neck hollow body construction is employed, and comprises Laminated Flamed Maple back & sides, Laminated Spruce top, Maple neck and 22 fret Rosewood fingerboard. Nickel hardware is fitted including a 'Lyre' tailpiece, Hofner Micro-Matic bridge and open-geared tuning machines with pearloid buttons. A pair of Hofner 'Nova-Sonic' 511 Staple humbucking pickups are installed, and are wired to a 3-way toggle switch, master volume, mid boost and master tone controls.
The Maple neck plays very well, with the 'Slendanek' profile feeling rather substantial by today's standards, yet remaining slim enough for articulate playing. The profile might be described as a 'C' shape which is well suited to both chordal and melodic playing styles. The Rosewood fingerboard is pleasant under the fingers, providing a tactile and durable playing surface across the register. Its 7.25" radius is a vintage-accurate feature which ensures that tricky chord voicings and changes are as comfortable as possible.
Amplified, the hollow-body construction of this instrument produces an open and airy tone, with the naturally aged wood of the body resonating beautifully for a rich and distinctive sound which cannot be easily imitated. There is a strong, dark low end which adds a depth and character to the sound, and is well complemented by the open and clear midrange. The top end is unpronounced in the neck position, producing a sound that is perfect for jazzy lead lines. There is ample brightness in the bridge position however, and with a little bit of drive there is a very convincing rock rhythm or blues sound available.
This guitar is a commission sale - if you have a high end guitar you are interested in selling, please contact us via our easy to find website - search: Sell Us Your Guitar.
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 Ambassador Brunette c.1966 Vintage Hollow-Body Electric Guitar
Brand - Hofner
Model - Ambassador
Finish - Brunette
Year - c.1966
Made In - Germany
Top - Laminated Spruce
Back/Sides - Laminated Flamed Maple
Neck - Maple
Neck Profile - 'Slendanek'
Fingerboard - Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius - 7.25"
Frets - 22
Scale Length- 25"
Nut Width - 1.714"
Pickups - 2x Hofner Nova-Sonic (511 Staple Humbuckers)
Controls - 3-Way Toggle Switch, Master Volume, Capacitor Blend* (See 'Electrics' Below), Master Tone
Our ID: 121092448271
Weight: 5.05lbs
Serial: 197
Aesthetic Condition:
Headstock: Overall good condition. Notable checking which in some places cracks the finish is present to all surfaces of the headstock, but is most notable to the front face. This is in line with the age of this instrument. Moderate chipping and indentation to the top edge breaks through the finish, with mild scuffing also present at the tip. To the centre rear top edge material is missing. This does not affect the structure of the headstock.
Neck: Overall very good condition. The fingerboard shows light denting and wear throughout the register which is difficult to discern from the grain of the wood and does not impact the playability of the instrument. A milder indentation is present beside the zero fret on the treble side. Light to mild indentation and scratching to the rear of the neck is visible under direct lighting, along with light finish checking throughout. A milder indentation is present behind the first fret at the treble side. Some of these markings are felt under the thumb in the playing position but do not impact the overall playability of the instrument. A small screw hole can be seen at the treble side of the fingerboard extension, likely where a pickguard has been removed. The binding around the heel plate has shrunk, creating a small gap but not affecting the structure of the instrument.
Body: Overall very good condition. All aspects of the body demonstrate light to mild indentation, scratching and checking of the finish, as can be expected with an instrument of this age. These markings are spread evenly across all surfaces, creating a consistent patina. Two small screw holes are left exposed inside the cutaways where the strap button has been relocated by a previous owner.Condition of Frets:
The frets show moderate signs of use, not affecting playability. Denting and flattening of the frets is noticeable through the entire register. There is moderate material remaining for any light fret work the new owner may wish to perform.
Current Set Up:
Truss Rod: Fully functional & adjustable. No truss rod tool included (socket 7mm)
Hardware: Fully functional with mild signs of wear. The metal hardware shows mild to moderate signs of oxidation. The pinion gear on the low E tuning machine is missing a few teeth, preventing it from completing a full rotation. To tune the low E we have pulled the string all the way through the post and then tightened. Due to the lack of winds, the string may slip out of tune if pulled too hard. The pickguard is missing.
Structural: No concerns or issues to note.
Height of the string from the 12th Fret-1.75mm - Bass 2.5mm
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
Further Notes:
Whilst this report is extensive in detailing finish wear and light damage, it has to be said that the guitar is in remarkable condition for a 58 year old instrument. It plays very comfortably, with a unique sense of ‘mojo’ that it has developed over the years, with an authentic patina to the finish which many manufacturers try to emulate today with relic finishes.
Electrics:
Full working order. The original controls have been modified. The 2nd tone pot (closest to the endpin) is the actual tone - rolling this down will act like a traditional tone pot. The 1st pot allows you to roll between a 1.0uf cap and a much brighter capacitor. The value is not apparent but reads 820 JX. This controls how much of the trebles is taken out by the first tone pot.
Case & Accessories:
No case is provided with this guitar.
Truss rod tool not included.