Hofner 176 Galaxie

Germany 1963 serial 2998
22frets etc
body appears to be mahogany with 1/8" ply facing on top & back red finish cracked like a dirty soap bar
proper Galaxie ie no chicken head tone control
3 pups switched & tone pots individually
master volume & cut switch. - lots of features but not very user friendly when playiing live.
malpe neck rosewood f board fairly open grain (could be wear)
neck feels quite fat but is fairly playable

wide variety of sounds 25 1/2 scale not muddy at all creaks (plastic strap buttons) at high volumes as pups mounted directly on body

neck is dead straight & frets now fairly low action is also very low . ditched the original bridge +m trem assembly and fixed a strat type toploader to give loads more sustain. since the guitar carcass is 45 years old precision isn't its forte but the intonation is OK and the body contours fit very well, nicley balanced

bomb proof Ive droped it down stairs / fallen off strap etc no problems built to last. finish is very hard ?resin? but does chip when forced and dirty soap like cracks
dependable
I ahve used it without backup no problem

never used

Ive been playing for 35 years had thi sguitar for 33. If it was stolen it would be like a death in the family. I wouldn't seek to replace it cause its too personalized to replace.Over the years ive replaced pups /bridge tuners. I love the wide tonal palate and the big keranggg from the Dimarzios currently fitted

Strat-style abachi body, 22-fret maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, celluloid position markers, three humbucking pickups, one volume control, indiv. tone controls for each pickup, tremolo bar, rhythm-lead switch, chickenhead tone knob, string mute built into bridge. Mine is a dark sunburst, late '60s model.

I tend to prefer my sounds a little rough around the edges (mild crunch to pure feedback noisefest; Richard Thompson to Sugar to J+MC), and this guitar does rough well. Doesn't really jangle, and definitely doesn't do the snappy, twangy Tele thing, which I occasionally would like to have. Not as refined as a Strat, not as straight-ahead rock as a Les Paul.

The humbuckers are QUITE powerful and there is a great deal of tonal variation provided by the 3-pickup setup. Neck can be very mellow and super-bassy - probably a little muddy to many ears; bridge can really cut through - my preferred setting. Middle pickup is sort of lost (lower output) but can be good for augmenting either of the others.

While the number of knobs/switches/functions is totally over the top, most do actually perform in a useful and musical way. Have used with amps ranging from Mesa combo to Fender Vibrochamp, and it always comes out sounding LOUD and distinctive. Am currently getting beautiful tones from this guitar with an MXR Distortion +.

I can only assume that this guitar was fairly well built, considering the fact that it is still my primary guitar despite its age. This was never supposed to be a top-flight guitar, but in comparison to quality standards today, I think it is probably of quite high quality.

This guitar is doing incredibly well for its age. I use the trem all the time and do not have significant tuning issues. Wiring is occasionally funky (sometimes lose use of the treble pickup, only to get it back later), but the neck is solid and the guitar is exceptionally easy to play, with a very low action. I waited for years to get a guitar with a Bigsby and now find that I probably prefer to use this trem. Quite a bit of crackle and a little chipping in the paint department, however. But c'mon... going on 40 years old? No complaints. With the right attention, there is no reason this couldn't be your stage guitar.

The company exists and has an interesting website, but I wouldn't expect much in the way of support!

I have been playing for around 20 years. This guitar has been around for all of them. I am very thankful that I didn't sell this guitar at some point when in need of cash. I love that it has a distinctive sound that can be modified quite extensively on the guitar itself. Plus, you gotta love those buttons, switches, knobs, etc... I have a feeling that nothing would really replace this guitar, not even another Galaxie. Just a hunch, but I think it's a little more unique than that.

I own 3 Hofner Galxy (1 Sunburst 1968 - very rare, 1 red 1963 - the most famous, 1 Plastic vinyl 1964- very cool).
The galaxy is the most looking-for Hofner Solid Body.
Three humbucker pick-ups, with a tone control for each of the pick up (but no individual volume). 1 master volume control. Solo-rhythm switch sometime connected to a potentiometer, but not really useful.
All models have has a 5 positions Treble-O-Bass switch, which is VERY efficient.
Each pick up has an on-off switch. Tremolo arm, but don't touch it too much because the guitar won't really stay in tune.
They are very thin and easy to play.

I play with 1960' -70' amps (Hiwatt, Fender, Acoustic, Marshall). It's fantastic. You can have the sound of Strat, Tele and... Les Paul, due to the three Humbuckers in a Strat body.
The mic combination + the 5 positions switch is fantastic.

The bridge is a mistery: a VERY complicated bridge with more than 25 different metal pieces, and clear plastic things to hold the strings. BIZARRE. Don't touch it.
Everithing else is perfect. You may have a very low action if you want.
Electronic is so clever, you won't find any equivalent today (to complicate and to expansive).

My 1964 Hofner is mint fresh.

Don't buy one, I want all of them.

My HOFNER Galaxie Model 176 manufactured in 1968 was made in Germany. The fully solid body has a laminated (plastic)cover. Has three 511 pick-up's, with a tone and volume control for each of the pick up. It has a master volume control too. Also has a SOLO-RHYTHM switch connected to a responsive potentiometer, which can be controlled effectively. Also has a five position Treble-O-Bass switch, which can be flicked easily to switch from Bass to Treble or the other way around.Each pick up has an on/off switch and the combination of the pick up's is really fantastic. The Guitar also has a tremolo arm (vibrato or whammy bar)which, though not too sensitive, produces enough of a tremolo to be very effective.The Body, I think is Maple and the tuners are fully enclosed, offering full protection. Neck is maple with Rosewood fretboard and with jumbo frets. I have the original case that came with the guitar.

It's a lovely guitar and with the combination of a YAMAHA Pyramid TA-40 amplifier, it reproduced the exact tones of The Ventures/The Shadows tunes, famous in our times. I am very happy with that and wouldn't trade my HOFNER GALAXIE for any other Guitar !

And....it is in exclusive MINT condition. Every control is fully functional with any scratch or hiss.

The sound is MARVELLOUS ! Need I add anything more ?

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful....all the way !!

I purchased the guitar in 1969 and am still using it, professionally. Umm...that is about 36 YEARS. Have performed about 1500 performances on stage with it. What more reliability and durability you want ? Hey.. 10 is the limit I suppose !!!

Unfortunately....none...whatsoever. That's very sad. I wrote to the guys at the factory, mentioning that I wanted some spares (a new neck, as a spare), but the mail bounced back. I don't think the guys at HOFNER care too much for their customers.

Have been playing for more than 38-40 years. I wished to buy a HOFNER and I got it. If I ever loose it (NEVER) I will never play again (as a penance)and if someone steals it (again NEVER) I will find the guy and bash him so bad, he will start praying for all guitars in the world to be safe !Its love and only Love. No I don't compare it to any other guitar. Others compare their guitars to mine.

Sorry, I don't share my love with anyone one !!