Höfner 4550/S • Late 1950s • Sunburst • Modified Electronics
 

 
Höfner 4550/S archtop made in Bubenreuth, West Germany, in the late 1950s. The exact year has not been confirmed. The /S designation identifies the cutaway version.
 
The fully hollow body is constructed of laminated maple, including the top, back and sides, with a three-piece laminated maple neck and rosewood fingerboard with block inlays. The guitar is fitted with a floating wooden bridge and Höfner trapeze tailpiece.
 
The pickup, controls and electronics are non-original later modifications. The guitar was previously refretted with tall frets. The neck has a twist requiring a complete fret dress to correct the playing surface; this work has not yet been completed. The guitar also shows cosmetic wear and finish checking consistent with its age. Case included. Professionally inspected and evaluated by Montréal Guitar.
 
Features
 
• Period: Late 1950s, exact year unconfirmed
 
• Made in: Bubenreuth, West Germany
 
• Finish: Sunburst
 
• Body: Fully hollow archtop
 
• Top, back and sides: Laminated maple
 
• Neck: Three-piece laminated maple
 
• Fingerboard: Rosewood with block inlays
 
• Frets: Previously refretted with tall frets
 
• Pickup: Non-original
 
• Electronics and controls: Non-original / modified
 
• Bridge: Floating wooden bridge
 
• Tailpiece: Höfner trapeze
 
• Required work: Complete fret dress to address playability related to the neck twist
 
• Cosmetic condition: Wear and finish checking
 
• Case: Included