Product: Hofner HF12
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
12/10/2007
at
12:38pm
by
ABR
Features
:
10
Satin finish. Classical guitar. Made in Germany. Bought in 2006. Solid spruce top.
Mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, solid Anigre back and sides.
Sound
:
10
I was heavily into classical guitar before taking a 20 yr break. After stopping playing, I sold nearly all my guitars, including my 1976 Kohno 30. which I purchased used in early 80's for something like $2700 after comparing with Ramirez, Esteso, Hernando y Eguado, Contratras, etc.
Finally came back to guitar and last year stopped into a guitar shop and started messing around with a Hofner 12. The store had three (two spruce tops and one cedar) and after playing them for about an hour I chose the one I have. After having it for the past year, I am totally blown away with the quality/price point of this guitar. Including a hardshell case, I bought this guitar for $300. If there is anything in this price range even remotely equal in sound I'd like to know what it is. It has a rich, pure and balanced sound from top to bottom. It sings as well as most guitars I've heard in the $1000-$2500 range. And it's made in Germany!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Action, fit and finish are excellent. Of the two other HF12s I tried, one had a back joint
which was not perfect. The finish on the body is some kind of very light satin sealer, unlike
the heavier varnish/polyester which most guitars have. I personally think it looks fine, and
I'm guessing this may have something to do with the way the guitar sounds. The top on my guitar is absolutely top notch - very straight, tight grain with lots of cross silk and perfectly matched. (Tops on all the examples I tried were very good, but it was nice to be able to pick out an exceptional one.)
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Excellent playabiility, action was adjusted correctly by the factory. Machines are tight
and look good. The subdued finish of the back and sides keeps the body looking new, scratches are not so evident as would be in a traditional glossy finish. Currently I'm scouting around for someone to play duets with, and I would be comfortable playing this guitar in a performance with a partner who paid well over ten times for his own guitar what I paid for mine.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
10
Had a 4-6 hr daily practice habit when younger and taught guitar. Currently professional musician (piano) who teaches guitar again and who is extremely grateful to Hofner for providing me with a guitar that I could afford and am 100% happy with. For about a year, I would stop in stores and casually check out classicals, but could never find one that I really could get excited enough about to buy, at least nothing remotely in my price range. The HF12 was a revelation, I still cannot believe I this German guitar cost me the princely sum of $230 purchased from a small guitar shop in WI. This has to be hands down the best deal on a new classical guitar out there anywhere.
