Hohner Steel-String Acoustic, £80
Is this what’s known as a ‘dreadnought’ body shape? Whatever, it’s a full-size steel-string acoustic, by Hohner. Probably about 30 years or so old. I’ve had it 20-25 years, and I bought it second-hand.
A decent beginners or intermediate players guitar, I’ve recorded with it, even busked with it. And it could certainly be gigged. But it has no electronics, no pick-up, etc. It’s got a bright clean sound, and plays well. Needs new strings, naturally. And could be set up with a slightly sweeter lower action easily enough.
A sign of its age is that the Hohner logo on the headstock is actually wearing away. But it’s still clearly visible on the label inside.
Fretboards on cheaper instruments like this are often painted, not ebony. So with sufficient playing wear and tear the base wood starts to show through in certain heavily used areas. Doesn’t affect the playability or sound in the slightest.
Decent enough machine-heads, in good working order. I got a Tanglewood acoustic fairly recently, off Freecycle. In certain respect the Hohner appears better made, for example the rosette around the soundhole is an inlay, whereas on the Tanglewood it’s a thin ‘transfer’.
Indeed, the Tanglewood’s bridge was coming away from the body – which is why the owner was getting rid of it – due to a bad/cheap design flaw, common to such modern instruments (see my post about fixing the bridge). No such issues with the Hohner! But I made my own Bridge for the Tanglewood, and fitted it, transforming the instrument into something much better. I even prefer how my bridge looks!
I don’t really want to sell the Hohner, as I’ve had it aeons, and it’s really quite okay. But I need the money, and since getting the Tanglewood I’m playing that more. A good beginners instrument, ideal as an xmas gift for a young learner, I’m looking for £80 for it.
Red Classical Guitar, Unbranded, £40
This is a guitar I got from a music teacher at one of the several schools I’ve formerly taught at. She was retiring, and this was her classroom guitar, for when she wasn’t playing the piano (her first/primary instrument). It’s unbranded, but it’s actually a decent beginners classical style acoustic. It plays well, has a good action, sounds nice, and holds its tuning. All of which many cheapo beginner guitars don’t always do!
I got it as a spare instrument for when teaching beginner guitarists. Something I do occasionally to supplement my drum teaching income. But I’ve come into possession of a couple of other classical guitars, so I don’t need them all.
One feature of this one that might either attract or put off potential buyers is it’s strong bright red colouring. It looks slightly brighter in some of these pics than it does in the flesh. But it is a red guitar, no mistake!
As with the Hohner, frequent playing has worn away the paint on the no-it’s-not-ebony fretboard, near the nut. But, again like the Hohner, it’s of no consequence, as it doesn’t affect playability or sound at all.
It has a printed rosette, and no label inside the sound-hole. The little plastic doodad for attaching a strap on the bottom of the instrument is broken. I’d repace it with a metal one if I was keeping the guitar. These can be bought for pence, or a quid or two, tops, and are easily replaced.
Ideal for beginners, this would make a good xmas present for a youngster wanting to learn guitar. I’m asking for £40 for this one.
Since posting this, I’ve sold both these guitars elsewhere. The passing on of the latter of the two in no way bothers me. But I did really love the Hohner. And having had it for sooo long myself, I kind of miss it. The Tanglewood has a slightly nicer action/feel, and even a slightly brighter/sweeter sound. But little things like the fake rosette bug me! In the fullness of time I hope to build my own guitars. Then I can sell the Tanglewood!