Höfner 175 1963 Sexy Red-Gold

Hofner Model 175(i) Solid Guitar.

In late 1962, or very early 1963, Hofner introduced a more advanced guitar than the 172/173 models that had been their flagship solid guitars up to that time. The new 175 model featured an off-set waist body with sharply pointed cutaway curves, three pickups, and a built-in vibrato tailpiece. The bolt-on neck was one-piece maple, with celluloid strip fret-markers, and binding to the edge of the fingerboard.  The most radical feature on the guitar however was the controls for the electrics. "Radio-style" pots were used for the master volume and three individual tone controls. The only other controls were a discreet four-way selector for the pickups on the lower bout, and a Solo-Rhythm slide switch. There was not a conventional rotary control on the scratchplate, and this gave the guitar and even more un-cluttered and streamlined look.

The pickups fitted were the new Type 511 "Staple" units which were introduced into the Hofner range at the same time as the 175.

Several different finishes were available for the 175, most of which were vinyl. The most dramatic were heavily embossed in either geometrical patterns or even snakeskin. These were usually complimented with dramatically coloured scratchplates and matching headstcok fascias. Others however were lightly patterned in more usual colours such as red and white. Some 175 examples can be found in red or white cellulose lacquer.

Production of the 175 lasted for less than 18 months, before being replaced by the even more revolutionary 176 Model.

The 175 was never supplied to Selmer London's UK market, but a slightly simplified version of the 176 did become Selmer's famous Hofner Galaxie model.