The justjazzguitars collection of vintage and rare jazz archtops.

Walter Hofner's original designs were formed in the 1940/50's and the same ethos, style and proportions were developed through many models to the 471.    With the exception of the Verithin (originally conceived as a thinline acoustic with 2" sides before it morphed to a semi) nothing significant had changed.

By 1976/77 Hofner's archtop range was becoming very tired.   In the UK/US the Committee and its derivatives had run out of steam and in Europe the 468 was hanging on whilst the 470 and 471 ( 4770 and 4710 thinlines) were heavy, over ornamented still with out of date electrics.   

Around the world guitar designers were concentrating on tone, playability, versatility, simplicity and high quality electrics! 

Fresh ideas were needed and Hofner asked Gela Hildebrand to create what became known as the Professional Line.   Guitars that would appeal to serious players.   Gela was himself a pro jazz player and had designed some significant guitars already.   He later went on to design the AZ to Attila's spec.

In 1978,  Hofner launched the A2L as an out and out Jazz guitar.    It was top of their range, taking over from the 471, and remained their top model until the introduction of the AZ.    It is a full bodied 3¼" deep archtop and incorporates Hofner's specially designed 052 jazz pickup, renowned for its superb rich, mellow, jazzy tone with a sweet, even response across all strings.    In order to neutralise feedback the wax potted pickups were supported by a Spruce/Spruce laminated top.  

In order to signal that this was Hofner's top model it has the double Fleur-de-Lys motif on the headstock and Committee-like inlay on the back.    The tailpiece,  new for this model,  gave the guitarist the opportunity to adjust string pressure on the Bridge.   Quite a good move and continued on the AZ models.

The pickup feeds through a conventional volume pot but the tone control employs Hofner's acoustic-filter.   This allows the high frequencies through whilst acting as a tone pot below 1800Hz so the natural tone of the instrument comes through but the treble tones are not weakened as you roll-off to the mid-position.     Nice!

#113 HOFNER A2L.

#113.    Condition:

This is one of three A2L's I am aware of that does not have the HOFNER logo on the headstock but the Hofner label attests to its authenticity.   It has 21 frets with a brass nut (not 20 frets with a bone nut  spec'd in the original catalogue).   These improvements were made later in the series  - it positions the pickup poles directly over the second harmonic to give the sweetest tone and dates it toward the mid/end of the A2L life, perhaps around 1982.   

It is in outstanding condition in every respect except that there is a little separation of the binding on the back just around the inside of the cutaway.     The pickup is fantastic and powerful but the acoustic filter is feeling old and has lost its edge.   It works correctly but its effect is rather subtle now.    Apparently, when new,  it was more effective at higher volumes!     It is all original and comes complete with its original flight case and case key.  

This is indeed a very serious Jazz Archtop and would compete on equal terms with a comparable Gibson, Epiphone or Guild. 

Top              

Upper Bout 

Waist             

Waist Pos’n    

Lower Bout      

Length         

Thickness         

Scale           

Body joins    

Headstock    

Motif            

Logo

Tuners            

P/up            

P/up Rings   

Tailpiece      

Bridge           

Controls       

Finish           

Laminate1

12”

10"

71/4”

17"

201/4”

31/4”   80mm

251/2”

14^th fret

A2

Double Double Fleur-de-Lys

None  -  others have Hofner script

Schaller black body/pearl buttons

052

Mounted on end of neck

A2L

A2L

2 Rotary

Light Sunburst

W--b/w/b/w/b/marble