Höfner 450-S E2 Sunburst from 1963/1964 (Signed by Martin Taylor)

It was Walter Höfner who allowed the diversification of the Höfner brand created by his father Karl in 1887 in the 1950s.

It was in fact during these years that Höfner began to design and produce guitars, still in Germany, more precisely in Bubenreuth in Bavaria.

And it was in 1958, after having created numerous models including the famous Violin Bass (500/1), that the brand was distributed by Selmer on British territory.

Thanks to this, and given the demand created a few years later by the Beatles, they enjoyed great success, particularly in Europe.

Here, this 450-S model dates from 1963/1964. It is notably equipped with two humbucker microphones from the brand, a rare occurrence for this model, controlled by the famous Switchpanel Control.

In addition to being in a very good state of conservation, this guitar has a special history since it was signed on its pickguard by Martin Taylor.

It would have been signed on Friday September 27, 2002 during his concert at Jazz at the Fleece, in Colchester in the United Kingdom.

Renowned jazz guitarist, Martin Taylor notably toured in a duo with Emily Remler in 1982, recorded with Chet Atkins in 1987, replaced Herb Ellis alongside Barney Kessel and Charlie Byrd in The Great Guitars in 1989 and played with Joe Pass in a duo one year later.

Following this, he also formed a quintet called Spirit of Django, inspired by the music of Reinhardt and Grappelli, composed of himself on lead guitar, a saxophonist, a rhythm guitarist, a bassist, as well as Jack Emblow, a renowned British accordionist.

And it was in April 1999 that he signed with Sony, making him the first British artist to be signed by the Sony label in 30 years.

He is widely acclaimed as one of the leading jazz guitarists on the world stage.

Here is a Höfner 450-S E2 guitar from 1963/1964 signed by one of the greatest jazz guitarists, named Martin Taylor.

Technical characteristics :

• Table: Maple (plywood)
• Bottom : Curly maple (plywood)
• Sides: Curly maple
• Sleeve : Maple / Mahogany / Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Width at nut: 43 mm
• Radius: 7.25"
• Frets: 22 frets (+1 zero fret)
• Scale: 25.5" (648 mm)
• Profile: Slim D
• Pickguard: 1-ply white pearloid
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickups: 2x Höfner Humbucker
• Controls: 2x Volume / Switch: Rhythm-Solo / Switch: Bass On / Switch: Treble On
• Country of manufacture: Germany
• Year: 1963/1964
• Finish: Sunburst
• Decorations: 4-ply white net on the table edge / 1-ply black net on the bottom edge / Key markers inlaid with 3 white mother-of-pearl pellets
• Details: Some slight signs of wear, dings, scratches, normal given its age

The guitar is in very good, even excellent condition for its age!

It has very good playing comfort, a balanced and dynamic sound, in short a very good vintage guitar!

Delivered in a case.