Hofner Nightingale 1988

A stylish late-1980s Höfner semi-hollow with the right mix of elegance and edge. This Höfner Nightingale was made in 1988 and is a German double-cut semi-hollow with black finish, gold hardware, full-size humbuckers, and classic center-block construction. The model clearly draws on the ES-335, but with a distinct Höfner identity through the headstock shape, pearl inlay pattern, and overall detailing.

This example has the features associated with the early Nightingale version: black finish, cream binding, gold hardware, bound headstock, large pearl block fingerboard inlays, and the distinctive double-diamond headstock inlay. Electronics are two humbuckers, two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way selector. Hardware is also straightforward, with gold tune-o-matic style bridge and stop tailpiece and the ever-present Schaller tuners.

The Nightingale is one of Höfner’s more uncommon semi-hollow models from the period and has a strong visual identity of its own. It combines familiar double-cut semi-hollow construction with a more individual Höfner look, and this black example is especially sharp with the full gold-and-black treatment.

A very appealing vintage semi-hollow from Höfner’s higher-grade German production, with the look, construction, and specification that make these early Nightingales stand out.

SPECIFICATIONS

Make: Höfner
Model: Nightingale
Year: 1988
Country of manufacture: Germany
Construction: Semi-hollow electric guitar with center block
Body style: Double-cutaway
Finish: Black
Top/back/sides: Laminated construction
Neck: Set neck
Fingerboard: Dark wood fingerboard
Inlays: Large pearl block inlays
Headstock: Bound headstock with pearl Höfner logo and double-diamond inlay
Pickups: 2 full-size humbuckers with gold covers
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way selector
Bridge: Tune-o-matic style bridge
Tailpiece: Stop tailpiece
Hardware: Gold
Tuners: Schaller
Binding: Cream body, neck, and headstock binding