Summer NAMM '99 in Review: New Guitars: Part 2
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| The Hofner New President |
Speaking of something different, Boosey & Hawkes resurrected the Hofner line last year. Obviously, the 500/1 and 5000/1 "Beatle Basses" are what Hofner is typically associated with. However, Karl Hofner started building instruments in 1887.
Needless to say, the company had a lot of history before George, Paul, John, and Ringo. For example, Hofner offers a well-respected line of archtop jazz-style guitars such as the N35 Nightingale, J5 Jazzica, and P55 New President. They also offer a line of quality classical guitars. The latter is cool because classical players are typically limited to student models or custom-built instruments costing thousands of dollars.
Featuring solid tops on all models and solid backs on the more expensive models (list prices ranging from $410 up to $1,140, with most less than $800), Hofner classicals represent a reasonable middle ground for serious players not able to purchase a custom instrument.
Visit www.boosey.com for more info.
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| The MEG guys with one empty body module (left) and the combined body and neck modules. |
Those truly looking for something different may dig MEG modular electric guitars.
The "module" is a structure encompassing the bridge, pickups and graphite-reinforced neck. The modules can fit into variety of MEG bodies, each carved to a body hugging 10 foot arc. MEG is currently offering five different body modules with various options, plus they will carve a body module to your specs. MEG also expects to offer more body modules in the future, and will notify customers when available.
Aside from cosmetic variations, the bodies house the electronics, offering different options in terms of pickup selection and tonal control. The guitars come with top-notch components and obviously a custom case accommodating multiple body and neck modules.
With a total system listing at over $3000, MEG's guitars are on the expensive side, but the purchaser is guaranteed a unique, high-quality piece.
To learn more about the MEG modular guitars, visit their web site at www.mncrafted.com/stringtime or email MEG at music@means.net.
That pretty much does it for the more interesting guitars at NAMM not already covered elsewhere on Harmony Central. In my next piece, you can look look forward to a bunch of cool accessories and effects.<- Back to Part 1
Summer NAMM '99
Brett Ratner is a contributor to Guitar Player, Musician, Electronic Musician and Music & Computers. He also spent two years as the Creative Writer for www.gibson.com. Currently, Brett plays sessions and performs regularly around Nashville with the band Katoorah Jayne. Please email Brett at ratocaster@harmony-central.com with any questions or comments.
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