Got one of those dead fashionable old Hofner semis? Seen one in a picture? Or in a video? Or on a shop wall? Want to know which one it is, when it was made, and how much it's worth? Then use our instant-recognition chart. It's fun, it's painless, and it's easy. It was compiled by Guitar Guru, assisted by Tony Bacon.

HOFNER GUITARS are made in Germany. During their peak of popularity (late 1950s to early 1970s), Hofner made electric-acoustics (or 'semis'), solid electrics, traditional acoustics, lap steels and basses, and were imported into the UK by Selmer London. We concentrate here on the now-fashionable and highly-prized semis they made between 1957 and 1973.

USING THE CHART

Take a good look at the guitar or picture you want to identify, and work your way down the chart questions until you can answer YES to one of the entries. We've narrowed the identifications down to the simplest distinguishing marks, so don't expect a full spec. We just want you to be able to find out quickly what the model is. Note that numerous minor variations of body styling and hardware details exist. If you still can't sort out what you've got or seen, then it's time to write to Guitar Guru. Good luck!

SMALL-BODIED SEMIS (NO F-HOLES)

Ornate fingerboard inlays (ie no dots or bars)?
YES = CLUB 60
N

Dot fingerboard inlays, two pickups, and trapeze tailpiece?
YES = CLUB 50
NO

Four rotary controls, two pickups, and 'block' tailpiece?
YES = CLUB 70
NO

One pickup?
YES = CLUB 40

BIG-BODIED F-HOLE SEMIS

Embossed gold hardware?
YES = GOLDEN HOFNER
NO

Ornate fingerboard inlays (ie no dots or bars), plus inlaid body back?
YES = COMMITTEE
N

Two pickups, single cutaway, and triple-dot fingerboard inlays?
YES = PRESIDENT
NO

One pickup?
YES = SENATOR
NO

Double-cutaway, bar fingerboard inlays?
YES = VERITHIN
NO

Double-cutaway, triple-dot fingerboard inlays?
YES = AMBASSADOR

AND THEN...

Model: Dates available/original retail price/value today in as-new condition.

GOLDEN HOFNER: 1960-1962/£100 originally/worth £450 now

COMMITTEE: 1957-1972/£75 originally/worth £350 now

PRESIDENT: 1957-1972/£50 originally/worth £250 now

SENATOR: 1957-1972/£30 originally/worth £150 now

VERITHIN: 1961 -1972/£55 originally/worth £250 now

AMBASSADOR: 1967-1972/£65 originally/worth £200 now

CLUB 60: 1959-1963/£45 originally/worth £160 now

CLUB 50: 1957-1963/£40 originally/worth £150 now

CLUB 70: 1967-1973/£45 originally/worth £100 now

CLUB 40: 1957-1963/£30 originally/worth £75 now