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HOFNER | COLORAMA | 1961 COLORAMA I

1961 Hofner Colorama / Hofner 161

Solid body Hofner guitar distributed by Selmer

This page has extra content in the Supporting Members area, including additional images, video content, circuit diagram and scratchplate tracing. If you are a supporting member you can access this here

The Hofner Colorama was the name given by British Hofner distributor Selmer, to a series of solid and semi-solid instruments sold with different model names in Europe and the USA. Coloramas cover a wide range of body styles, construction methods and electronic configurations: the only real thing all variants have in common is a name. But by late 1960 the Colorama was a double cutaway set-neck solid body, with a steep headstock angle and a deep cherry nitrocellulose finish. To many, this was the golden era of the Colorama: within a year or so, (and despite having the same silhouette) the Colorama had a bolt-on maple neck, a far shallower headstock angle, and many also shipped with a cheap looking vinyl body covering.

1961 Hofner Colorama 1961 Hofner Colorama reverse

The Hofner Colorama, like all Hofners of this period, was made in Germany (Bubenreuth), where it would have been sold as the Hofner 161, (or the Hofner 162, with a two pickups). In the UK it was designated model 443. This Colorama is a lovely instrument: well-built, good looking, and nice playing.

Model: 1961 Hofner Colorama I (model 443)
Pickups: One Diamond logo pickup
Scale:
Body: 43.5cm x 34cm x 3.15cm approx (17 1/4" x 12 3/4" x 1 1/4"). Overall length 1015mm excluding end 'pin'
Neck: Three-piece laminate, rosewood fretboard. Dot inlays. Width at nut 41mm. 22 frets
Hardware: Nickel plated. Trapeze tailpiece, floating metal bridge. Individual open gear tuners with plastic buttons
Weight: 2.91 kg
Hofner Colorama - 1960 Selmer Catalogue

This is how the Colorama was described in the 1960 Selmer catalogue

The new Hofner Colorama has the styling today's guitarists demand. Double cutaway comfort contoured body, fashioned from the finest timbers with attractive red-glow finish. Exclusive Hofner "Slendanek" with adjustable internal truss-rod and handed machine heads. Fitted with either one or two Super Response pick ups and exclusive flick action console.

In late 1960, the single pickup Hofner Colorama 443 had a list price of 21gns; rising to 23gns in the second half of 1961. This was the least expensive electric guitar offered by Selmer, but is nicer than many guitars in the same price bracket available in the United Kingdom at the time. A lot of guitar for the money.

Hofner Colorama body and hardware

1961 Hofner Colorama body

Although the Hofner Colorama of 1961 bore little resemblance to the 1960 Colorama, having a new body shape, headstock shape and construction, some hardware remained. The Toaster pickups were fitted initially but quickly replaced with the Diamond logo pickup shown here. The tailpiece was identical to that of the previous version, and remained in use into the next Colorama variant. The bridge is broadly similar in looks, but on closer examination is a little different - sitting on a long flat base rather than the two cupped feet of the previous example. The point that this changed is not clear, but it is unlikely to have been at exactly the same time as the pickup or body changes occurred,

1961 Hofner Colorama diamond logo pickup
1961 Hofner Colorama floating bridge
1961 Hofner Colorama tailpiece and strap button
1961 Hofner Colorama neck heel

Hofner Colorama controls

The 1961 Colorama still has the Hofner control consule as fitted to other single pickup guitars. There is a single volume control and two tone settings via the switches.

1960 Hofner Colorama control consule

There are three basic sounds as detailed below, that natural sound of the pickup, plus 'bass' mode and 'treble' mode.

Neck pickup (all switches up)
Bass on (bass switch down) - this activates a treble cut filter
Treble on (treble switch down) - this activates a bass cut filter

The above were recorded directly into a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB recording interface (i.e. no amp) - but check out the video clips of the guitar in a more typical amplified situation further down the page.

Hofner Colorama headstock

1961 Hofner Colorama headstock side view

The 1961 Hofner Colorama has a long headstock, with six-in-a-row tuning keys. The truss rod is adjustable at this end of the headstock, but it is this combination of truss rod adjustment cavity and a steep 14° headstock angle that can often lead to headstock breaks, especially if the guitar falls over backwards. True the Hofner has a three-piece maple laminate neck, and a small volute, both of which add strength, but as can be seen in this case, these features were not enough. This guitar has had a repaired headstock in this exact position.

1961 Hofner Colorama headstock front
Hofner Colorama headstock, front. The truss rod cover is another hardware item carried over from the previous Colorama version. Note here the three-ply black/white/black nut and zero fret. The logo is silk-screened rather than the decal of the 1960 Colorama.
1961 Hofner Colorama headstock reverse
Hofner Colorama headstock reverse. The tuning gears fitted to this guitar are certainly an improvement on the older strip tuners used on the previous Colorama incarnations. Note the repaired area around the volute. Guitars with a truss rod adjustment cavity at the neck, and a backwards sloping headstock are particularly prone to such damage.
1961 Hofner Colorama tuner detail
The tuners fit to this gear are individual, open gear, and primarily brass (unplated). In this image they are newly polished, but the lack of plating means they dull quickly.
1961 Hofner Colorama headstock logo
The Hofner logo (without umlaut) is silk screened rather than a decal compare with a 1960 Colorama).
1961 Hofner Colorama in its original Selmer case Original Selmer case

1961 Hofner Colorama in its original brown Selmer case with red lining

See also

Hofner Colorama main page
Early 1960 Hofner Colorama II
Late 1960 Hofner Colorama II

1961 Hofner Colorama video clips

This is a cool little guitar. Easy playing, with a lovely resonance, and a nice basic tone from each pickup. The bridge pickup is a bit thin at lower volumes but really snarls with the amp gain upped somewhat. The neck alone is as fat as you like. Controls are a bit basic, and the floating bridge is a little bit more tricky to keep in tune than one with a fixed bridge and/or adjustable saddles. But it is what it is: full of character and a lot of fun to play.

Subscribe to the vintageguitarandbass youtube channel for more vintage guitar and bass demos. Also, check out the other Hofner Colorama videos (different amps, different settings) in the supporting members area.

1961 Hofner Colorama I / 1963 WEM ER 15 (3m 07s)

1961 Hofner Colorama
1963 WEM ER-15

Find out more about this amp here 1963 WEM ER-15

This is a wonderful playing guitar - and it sounds pretty cool through the WEM ER15. The Hofner Colorama was sold by Selmer in the UK 1958-1965: yet the several different guitars were included under the moniker at different times. In 1961 it was a nice set-neck solid body, with a Hofner 510 diamond logo pickup, and a long 6-in-a-row headstock. The controls of these single pickup models are easier to understand than the dual pickup examples, but are still not totally intuitive. These are 1) natural pickup sound 2) treble cut 3) bass cut 4) treble and bass cut. Because the electronics on these controls only act on a single pickup, there is not quite the range of sounds on a dual pickup example, and frankly, they seem pretty subtle. Compare this to the dual pickup 1960 Colorama - the treble/bass switches also turn pickups on/off making the effect far more noticeable - and because of this, using the treble and bass cut together is not possible.

Recorded here with a Heil PR-40 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!

1961 Hofner Colorama I / 1963 WEM ER 15, long version (long version, 7m 18s)

1961 Hofner Colorama
1963 WEM ER-15

Find out more about this amp here 1963 WEM ER-15

Long version of this video with extra amp settings: starting off clean and gradually getting crunchier as we go. An easy playing guitar and a sweet sounding amp.

Recorded here with a Heil PR-40 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!

1961 Hofner Colorama I 'supporting members' content

Extra content on this guitar is included in the Supporting Members area here

1961 Hofner Colorama I unloaded body detail
1961 Hofner Colorama I scratchplate template
1961 Hofner Colorama I circuit diagram
  • 54 extra images (with description): large detailed images including body construction, circuitry, components
  • Detailed wiring diagram
  • Pickguard tracing (PDF for accurate printing)
  • Extra video content (1 video, 7m 18s: WEM ER-15)
Got an opinion on the contents of this page? Disagree with something written above? Please comment

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Hofner Colorama for sale

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Hofner Colorama modern electric guitar, black, Grover tuners!

Hofner Colorama modern electric guitar, black, Grover tuners!

Wood Dale, Illinois, 601**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$250

Here is a Hofner Colorama guitar. Made in China; no serial #
Heavy wear, dings, and scratching on body. Grover tuners. Missing truss rod cover. Headstock has a damaged corner
22 frets, 2 volume knobs, 2 tone knobs, 2 pickups, 3-way switch.
Case not included. Please note that Ebay will charge and collect sales tax based on your state
DISCLAIMERS
- We do NOT set up our guitars (ie. truss rod adjustment, intonation, action, etc )
If you desire a proper setup with new ... more
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Hofner Colorama 11 1963 Red  vinyl covering rewound diamond pickups

Hofner Colorama 11 1963 Red vinyl covering rewound diamond pickups

St. Albans, AL2***, UNITED KINGDOM

£568

This is a 1963 vintage Hofner Colorama 11 serial number 1424 Finished in red vinyl .It has been fully restored with rewound diamond pickups and and a new Hofner style control panel and adjustable bridge Original tremolo and new tuners Very playable, with a low action and new Ernie Ball Slinky strings. Fully shielded body cavities. Gig bag included,... more
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Höfner Colorama 164II 1965  / Red vinyl

Höfner Colorama 164II 1965 / Red vinyl

WALSCHEID, 57***, FRANCE

€650

Höfner Colorama 164II 1965 / Red vinyl.
La guitare est d'origine , le vinyl est légèrement décoller sur certain bord , électronique a été entretenu , le sillet du manche avait été modifier par l'ancien propriétaire , corde neuve , accastillages a été entretenu... more
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Hofner Colorama II Model 444 - 1961 - Cherry Red - 2nd Hand

Hofner Colorama II Model 444 - 1961 - Cherry Red - 2nd Hand

Sheffield, Yorkshire, S8***, UNITED KINGDOM

£604

Great chance to pick up a nice 2nd Hand Hofner Colorama II Model 444 - 1961 - Cherry Red
Hofner Colorama II Model 444 - 1961 - Cherry Red - 2nd Hand Details:
Case / Box: None Overall Condition: Good Serial: 301 Weight: 6LB 13oz This is a previously loved item and as such may have signs of use. Please note that whilst we do our best to picture our 2nd hand and Ex demo items in detail it is not always possible to picture all marks, scratches, and blemishes on... more
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Hofner Colorama 1960s Electric Guitar (verified by Christian Benker)

Hofner Colorama 1960s Electric Guitar (verified by Christian Benker)

Ulverston , LA12***, UNITED KINGDOM

£300

A 1960s Hofner Colorama electric guitar, verified by Christian Benker at Hoftner. Obtained from a private collection.

Guitar is working but could do with a little TLC such as a service, clean and new strings. Has had a repair to the back at some point - please see photos.
... more
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Hofner Colorama ll 1963

Hofner Colorama ll 1963

Liverpool, L21***, UNITED KINGDOM

£593

Hofner Colorama ll 1963
Overall great condition but showing signs of old age
The finish is cracking all over
See pictures
The string / Trem cover has been rechromed as it had been scratched with a band name but it was really bad so I had it redone
All electrics are original in fact the only non original parts are the strap buttons, scratchplate screws and the nut that holds the trem arm on every thing else is standard
The tone pots work back to front as this is how they where... more
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1962-1963 Höfner Colorama II Vintage Gitarre 164 Original, guter Zustand. Hofner

1962-1963 Höfner Colorama II Vintage Gitarre 164 Original, guter Zustand. Hofner

Dillingen, 89***, GERMANY

€599

Tauchen Sie ein in den Charme vergangener Zeiten mit der Höfner Colorama II Vintage Gitarre aus den Jahren 1962-1963. Dieses Modell, bekannt für seine exzellente Spielbarkeit, ist speziell für Rechtshänder konzipiert und bietet mit seinen 22 Bünden und einer 6-saitigen Konfiguration ein vollumfängliches Klangspektrum. Der Korpus in auffälligem Rot Vinyl verleiht der Gitarre einen einzigartigen Look
Sie besitzt 2 Hofner Diamond logo Pickups
Two Pickup ... more
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1960s HOFNER Colorama mod. 161 Redburst, Germany

1960's HOFNER Colorama mod. 161 Redburst, Germany

Burnaby, BC, V5H***, CANADA

C $1215

1960's HOFNER Colorama mod. 161 Redburst, Germany
This rare Hofner guitar was made in Germany in the 1960s. There is no marking on the guitar, but I assume it is a model No. 161. Guitar is very light in weight ( 2 22kg or 4 15lb ) and body is hollow inside
Considering the age, I estimate the external condition as very good. There are some scratches and small dents, but nothing major. Please take a look on the posted pictures where these marks are clearly visible on.
The string tension... more
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Höfner Colorama I 1960s one humbucker electric guitar excellent condition

Höfner Colorama I 1960s one humbucker electric guitar excellent condition

Uckfield, TN22***, UNITED KINGDOM

£721

Rare vintage Höfner Colorama solid body guitar with one original 1960s Humbucker in the neck position. The guitar was refinished pink at some point before I had it. It??s been on a non-smoking studio wall for the last four years, with regular maintenance and care. The neck is one of the best and playing I?ve ever tried. Sounds raw and spanky, a great instrument for garage rock / blues or punk. Some minor discolouration on the pick guard around the pots, only visible with light reflection.... more
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Hofner Colorama II - Electric Guitar - 1961

Hofner Colorama II - Electric Guitar - 1961

Worcester, WR3***, UNITED KINGDOM

£614

This old Lady is in fantastic condition. I have had a new switch fitted, the fretboard has been cleaned and oiled and the strings changed.
This sounds absolutely fantastic with an unmistakable sound.
There are of course marks, wear and tear as you would expect from a guitar of this age. But this only adds to the character.
Serial number 57
Local collection preferred but can be posted, to post this securely and properly insured is £40.... more
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Rare Vintage 1959 Hofner Colorama II Red Cellulose Electric Guitar

Rare Vintage 1959 Hofner Colorama II Red Cellulose Electric Guitar

Stafford, ST16***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1200

Super Rare Vintage 1959 Hofner Colorama II in Red Cellulose
It's all original and it plays well Very lightweight guitarThe pickups sound great, especialy the neck pickup The neck is straight and it plays well without issues and relatively low action. The neck chnky 50's style, great for playing rhythm. The zero fret has been replaced, I'm not sre if the rest of the frets have been replaced at some point, it's possible that they have but hard to tell for sure. There is a bit of fret wear on ... more
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1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin Care Catalog scan. The 1969 Fender Lovin' Care catalog consisted of 48 pages of electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, steel guitars, acoustic guitars, banjos and keyboards. Like the previous catalog, this featured the company's guitars in a variety of interesting settings around California, from the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, to the Hollywood Bowl. Several instruments were making their first appearance amongst it's pages: the Telecaster bass, Montego and LTD jazz guitars, and the Redondo acoustic. It was the final catalog appearance, however, of the Electric XII, Bass V, Duo-Sonic, Coronado I and Coronado Bass I.

1973 Eko Ranger Folk

1973 Eko Ranger Folk The Eko Ranger series of guitars was incredibly popular in the second half of the 1960s and through the 1970s, selling in very large numbers. The Ranger Folk was 1 1/4" smaller, and 1" shallower than the Ranger VI and XII - and with a narrower waist. Not a bad guitar; a little quiet, but pretty playable. These were great value in 1973, and because they sold so many, they are easy to find and excellent value today.

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar The Symphonic bass was built in the UK, by Vox parent company JMI. It was the Vox equivalent to the Fender Precision bass, and was one of the most expensive Vox guitars produced. It was actually a great playing bass, rather similar to the Precision in feel and sound, but was probably just too expensive compared to an actual Fender and consequently sold poorly. When Vox hit financial problems in 1968, unsold guitars and basses were passed on to Dallas Arbiter, who briefly sold the excess Symphonic bass stock as model 4537. This bass, although with a neck date of February 1966, was most likely one of the unsold Vox guitars sold on by Dallas Arbiter. Check out the bass, and the two video demos through 1960s Ampeg and WEM amplifiers.

1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

1968 Shaftesbury catalogThe 1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog was just four pages long, and contained four guitar models: the six string Barney Kessel-style 3264; and three Rickenbacker-styled semi-acoustic models: the six-string 3261, the twelve string 3262 and the 3263 bass. Shaftesbury was the house-brand of major UK distributor Rose-Morris, and seems to have been launched as a response to the company's loss of it's distribution deal with Rickenbacker. The guitars were mid-priced, and built in (initially) Japan, and later Italy, by Eko

1970 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns Celebrated Classics' catalog

1970 Rose_Morris catalog1970 Rose-Morris catalog, dated April 1970. It featured 6 electric guitars, 32 acoustic guitars, 3 basses and 1 steel guitar. It contains the following instruments, over 20 pages: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3262, 3264, 3265, 3400; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Colorado, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12; Aria 1674, 1675, 1676, 1679, 1680, 1695, 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk; Rose-Morris 15-11, Kansas, Georgian, Florida; Suzuki 1663, 1664, 1665, 3054, 3055, 3060; Tatay 1713, 1714, 1715; Peerless 3052; Steel guitar: Aria 3425

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

1971 Rose_Morris catalogThe sixteen-page 1971 Rose-Morris catalog featured electric guitars by Rose-Morris' own brand, Shaftesbury, and budget brand Top Twenty; aswell as acoustics by Eko, Aria, and for the first time Ovation. The catalog contains the following instruments: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3264, 3265, 3400, 3402; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Ovation: Balladeer, 12 String, Glen Campbell, Glen Campbell 12 string; Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12, Colorado, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Studio 'L'; Rose-Morris Florida; Aria 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk

1972 Fender Precision bass

1972 Fender PrecisionA detailed look at an early 1970s Fender Precision bass guitar in custom black finish, with rosewood fretboard. 1972 list price, $307.50. The Fender Precision had been shipping since at least very early 1952 - with just one re-design circa 1957. This example, then, shows a model already two decades old, but barely changed since the '57 revamp. Fender got it right first time around, and although there are numerous minor cosmetic differences, the essence of this bass is effectively the same as it was in '52: a simple, single pickup instrument with a GREAT sound. Check out the demo video through an old Ampeg B15. It's no wonder this is the bass that everybody wants!

1967 Vox Stroller

1967 Vox StrollerThe Vox Stroller was the brand's entry level electric solid body guitar, fitted with just one pickup and a fixed tailpiece. Although aimed at student guitarists, it wasn't a terrible instrument, but did lack somewhat in adjustability, having no accessible truss rod and only a floating rosewood bridge. But this example is actually quite an improvement on earlier versions, with a standard 1/4" jack and a solid mahogany body. 1967 price £18 2s. JMI ceased UK guitar production in late '67, and combined with decreasing demand for the Stroller, this surely must be one of the last examples shipped.

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

1963 Vox Clubman Bass left handedA nice example of the Vox Clubman II bass, built by JMI in Dartford, Kent in 1963. This is a lightweight bass, short (30") scale and very easy to play. It is an early example, and as such has a thin black scratchplate and side mounted, coaxial output jack. JMI offered left handed examples of their solid body Vox guitars and basses at 10% premium. Production numbers are unclear, but left-handed examples rarely come up for sale

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

1977 Gibson ES Artist prototypeNot to be confused with the Gibson ES Artist launched by Gibson in 1979; this ES Artist was an early model designed by the Gibson research and development team in Kalamazoo in 1977, the instruments themselves constructed by Gibson artist Chuck Burge. It was planned for launch as a high end semi acoustic with 335-style construction (central maple block) and innovative circuitry - but was pulled at the last minute, being deemed too expensive. Apparently, several examples were produced with varying specifications, though exactly how many actually left the Kalamazoo plant is unclear. Certainly two guitars were sold to LaVonne Music by Gibson in around 1980. Read more about the development of this guitar, with details from Chuck Burge and the story of it's sale to LaVonne music