Höfner 492 E Vintage 12-String Acoustic Guitar Natural 1966

Description

Höfner 492 E 12, 1966
Instrument:
The 492 was one of Höfner's most successful 12-string guitars. In Great Britain it was in the portfolio as "Hofner Western", the production time was 21 years from 1964 to 1985. Only a very small share was equipped as 492 E or "Hofner Western Electric" ex factory, with a pickup by Franz Pix integrated in the fingerboard. Our 492 is one of these early models and dates from 1966.
Material:
The top is made of fine grained spruce, sides and back of mahogany. The neck is made of a three piece sandwich including the headstock. It is very sturdy triple-blocked, with a narrow beech strip between the maple sides. It has a truss rod and a dark grained rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays. The tailpiece is also rosewood. Plus typical Höfner decorative inlays in the headstock, bindings around the body.   The Tuners seem to be GUYKER Locking tuners, matching 12-set.
Electrics:
The basis is a hand-wound single-coil pickup built by Franz Pix, which was elaborately integrated into the end of the pickguard. It is controlled with a volume and a tone knob, the standard jack socket is in the lower bout.   All works with a cool-vintage sound.   Think Roger McGuinn.
Instruments history:
This was purchased by a US Service member in 1967 in Berlin.   He played it regularly until his death in the mid-1990's.  It sat in a case in a closet in North Atlanta, GA USA for the next 20 years until found by me.   Most of the screws and action sleeves had rust picks. Otherwise, the guitar was in very good condition, besides the obvious missing Brand name on the headstock and the pick guard.
Restoration work:
Complete cleaning, blowing out the body and removing all dust and grime from the surfaces, but being very sure to leave the kick-ass finish checking. The fingerboard was slightly smoothed and oiled, the frets polished. The tuners were cleaned and re-oiled.   As well as matching as good as new screws. The amplification was a bit more difficult - we removed it and cleaned the coils and magnets and reattached the wiring, and it worked perfectly.  Finally, we mounted new strings and did a setup.
Current Condition:
The Höfner, which was a bit run down when we took it over, has become a real gem again and the amplified sound is fun. One can only wonder with what primitive electrical equipment the guitar was sold at that time. Quite different is the quality of the other materials, here we have an upscale and high quality equipment. Everything works perfectly again, the guitar is stable, sturdy and can be used immediately without any restrictions. It is of course absolutely clean and odorless, the lacquer surfaces shine and the fingerboard and frets are like new. It has some patina, some nice finish crackling and quite a few tiny scratches that are only visible up close.  Quite a lot of charm and charisma - a typical vintage guitar. The acoustic sound is beautifully warm and woody, yet brilliant and silvery as expected from a good 12-string. It's all very harmonious, with long sustain and cleanly differentiated. Amplified, there's a surprise to boot, as the optimized pickup now adds a whole new dimension to the beautiful acoustic sound, incredibly powerful and stage-filling. This is probably the best sounding original 492 E in the world today.  With its original pickup equipment, it is a real rarity and not only player, but also perfect for any collection. No longer a bargain, but worth every penny and a good long-term investment.
Measures:
Overall length 42.5”/108 cm, body length 20.1”/51 cm, lower bout width 16.1”/41 cm, waist width 10.6”/27 cm, upper bout width 11.4”/29 cm; body depth 4.3”/11 cm, scale length 25.2”/64 cm (zero fret to saddle), fingerboard width 2”/5 cm at zero fret, 2.4”/6 cm at 12th fret; overall weight 2.300 g, string
action on 12th fret 0.08”/2 mm.
Please ask all questions prior to bidding.  Buyer will pay shipping and insurance.   NO RETURNS (costs and risks too much).    Local Pickup available (Atlanta, GA, USA area).   Thanks for looking and have a great day!