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Post by bonzo on Aug 2, 2019 15:00:54 GMT
  I was helping my niece tidy her attic and found these two beauties up there! Covered in dust and grunge you could barely see that they were guitars. The few strings on them had rusted into rods and the tuners didn't move. She reckonned it had been thirty years since anyone played them. Here they are 2 days later, absolutely beautiful. The Hofner congress must be from the 50's pre dating my 63 by a few years. The other one is called a Viva, ladder braced and at first seemed beyond saving. I'm glad I persevered, she sounds amazing! So next time you're visiting friends or family ask if you can have a look round the attic after dinner! Lol! Best wishes to you all, John |
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Post by Andymccann on Aug 2, 2019 16:34:32 GMT
Great. Did they end up being yours?
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 2, 2019 16:46:28 GMT
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Post by bonzo on Aug 2, 2019 18:50:18 GMT
They did indeed Andy! Apart from cleaning, lemon oiling and getting the tuners to work, all that was needed was new strings and a ferul on one tuner.
Lots of fun and they are staying in tune nicely.
Anyone got a spare scratch plate they don't need!
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 2, 2019 19:11:52 GMT
You’re luck they are in one piece, the heat in summer and cold in winter will often leave guitars in bits.
Pete
The rule is ‘Never leave a guitar anywhere you won’t want to sleep’
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Post by bonzo on Aug 2, 2019 19:15:34 GMT
Happy families! The guitar on the left is the attic find, much more basic, although the holes for the scratch plate are there. I've ordered a support and will make myself a new flying scratch plate. I've put MM Newtone heritage strings on and the neck is stable. Sounds bassier than her younger sister who has MM Newtone PB's on. Best wishes to you all, John  |
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Post by bonzo on Aug 2, 2019 19:25:08 GMT
Wot you say is true Pete. There was another guitar with them that had started to come apart.
Thank goodness it was a basic guitar that kids start out on.
We cleaned it up a bit and it's going to end its days as a wallhanger!
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by snakehips on Aug 3, 2019 15:22:25 GMT
Hi Bonzo !
Got a Hofner Congress just like yours, same headstock and Hofner script. Learned to play on that thing, hand-me-down from both my older brothers and Uncle before them !
My 11yr old has it now !
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Post by groff on Aug 9, 2019 12:01:02 GMT
I have a very fond memory of a Hofner Congress that got away.
In 1968 I was desperate for any guitar shaped object and bought a Hofner Congress from my then girfriend's brother. £10. I brought it home on Good Friday 1968 and I'd like to say that's when it all started.
Unfortunately my father hit the roof. I had A levels a couple of months away, wasting your time and money etc etc. I had to take it back and I think I never really forgave him.
When I left school after the university entrance exam having won a scholarship he couldn't really argue and I proudly bought a rubbish cheap classical (Kimbara??) from Scarth's in Charing Cross Rd and very soon after changed it for an Eko Ranger jumbo which I still have. It's enjoying a very well earned retirement.
I also still have my very battered copy of Dan Morgan's "Guitar" (a little Corgi pbk) and believe it or not my first ever pick - Rotosound real tortoiseshell (sorry!). I'd bought both a little before the Hofner to get ready! I almost know bits of that book off by heart.
I have occasionally looked at buying a Congress for old times' sake, but a few years ago found a reasonably priced ES 125 which will do. I bought it with some cash from my late father's estate which gave me some satisfaction!
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I was helping my niece tidy her attic and found these two beauties up there! Covered in dust and grunge you could barely see that they were guitars. The few strings on them had rusted into rods and the tuners didn't move. She reckonned it had been thirty years since anyone played them.
