4574

4574

HOFNER MODEL 4574 This guitar is often called the Verithin, although strictly speaking, that is only the correct name for the 4574's Selmer distributed twin brother. Thin body depth of 1.25" and twin Venetian (rounded) cutaways. Cherry red and brown sunburst finishes were offered. Generally two pickups, but very occasionally three. Many 4574's had Hofner's own vibrato tailpiece factory fitted. A stereo version was available. Produced between 1960 and 1976.

1961 4574

The earliest 4574 that I have on record.
A really beautiful example in russet.
Has been modified over the years with new tuners, incorrect knobs,
and a strange tremolo that I have only seen once before on another 4574, not a Hofner item.
Carries a serial number on the top of the headstock, 3390,
almost certainly a number inscribed by the Van Wouw company.
The pot codes are 40 and 41
Owned by Peter

Holland

1960/61 4574

Another very early guitar

Lovely deep cherry red finish and the classic art deco tailpiece.
The toaster pickups and the rectangular panel are perfect for the period

Owned in

Holland

1962 4574

Lovely faded blonde colour,
with the very desirable Art Deco tailpice.

Pot dates 212 mid May 1962

Owned by Geoff

Australia

1961 4574

An early 4574.

Owned in

Germany

1961 4574

A nice dull blonde guitar with the typical Hofner tremolo [missing the arm] and the rectangular control panel.

Owned in

USA

1961 4574

A very lovely brownburs guitar with the typical Hofner tremolo

Owned in

USA

1961/'62 4574

Owned by Marco

Italy

1961 4574

An early 4574.

Owned in

Germany

1962 4574

An early 4574. Had some restoration done, and generally in nice condition

Owned in Queensland

Australia

1965/'66 4574

The Verithin was bought from Tom Allman for $200 in 1979 and was used by a member of Aerosmith who took music lessons from Tom in the early 70s. Various pictures of that guitar were used for many Crowley and Tripp Microphones banner ads and other printed and online materials and many, many people have inquired about it and asked to buy it. The Crowley and Tripp logo knobs are appliques over the stock Hofner knobs. The tuners are now Shallers but I have five out of the original six tuners. The pickguard and the truss rod cover are missing. The tip of the selector switch is broken. Otherwise this is in very good shape and plays well, though someone ought to rewire the jack which is dirty or intermittent.

Owned by Bob

USA

1965/'66 4574

An immaculate brown burst guitar with the standard appointments

Owned by Guitar Point

Germany

1962/63 4574

Someone has had a go at this one with a pot of white paint!!

Currently undergoing a full restoration by

Richard

Canada

More pictures of the refurb via the Miscellaneous pages

Before Refurb

After refurb, just a taster, click on the pic for more shots

1965/'66 4574

Owned by Gil

1962 4574

Another early 4574, n the typical brown burst of the later 4574s.
A nice rectangular panel and a factory fitted Hofner tremolo make this a very nice example indeed.

Owned in

Italy

1964/5 4574

Immaculate guitar re finished in black, fitted with an early tailpiece and changed knobs

Owned in

Germany

1965 4574

A lovely guitar

Owned by Grinney

Thailand

1965 4574

Immaculate guitar

Owned by Chris

Australia

1965 4574

A REALLY NICE ORIGINAL 4574

Owned in

1965 4574

Immaculate guitar

Owned in

1962 4574

Another early 4574, this time in the typical brown burst of the later 4574s.
A nice rectangular panel and a factory fitted Hofner tremolo make this a very nice example indeed.

Dated from the pots, 92, which says week 9 of 1962

Owned by Mark

New Jersey

USA

A very nice sunburst 4574

Modified switching

Owned in

1964/65 4574

A rare bird indeed, a lefty 4574, in nice condition but with a non standard, but Hofner made tailpiece.

A nice story with this one

Here's the email I got from Charlie

Hello Geoff , I have a Hofner Verithin that I believe is a 64 or 65 not quite sure. I got the guitar about 15 years ago from a family friend. He told me a story that I cannot confirm but sounds legitimate to me(has not one to make up stories). He told me that in the Early to mid 60s his neighbour went to Germany to visit his family. When the neighbour returned he brought 4 guitars back with him, 2 verithins and 2 acoustics. One acoustic and electric was a left handed and the others right handed.. The neighbour told him that his grandfather worked for the company and that these 4 guitars were made for them. The guitars were played for the summer and packed away in the basement until I got it. Unfortunately he does not remember what happened to the acoustic but I got the Verithin. There are no scratches or dings on the guitar to speak of except a blemish on the back of the neck where the original vinyl case was touching the finish and seemed to melt the finish a bit.. The label inside the guitar has completely fallen apart and there only seems to be small pieces of it in the guitar so I cannot find a date or serial number. The guitar is a lefty and unfortunately I am a righty so the guitar sat in a closet for 12 years at my house until I had it strung and set up as a righty with no alterations. The knobs are a bit in my way when I play but I love the sound I get from it. So I guess what im asking is how would I find out the exact model year or serial number from this guitar? The family friend had passed away not long after I got it from him and I have no way of finding his neighbour from the 60s

Owned by Charlie

4574

Owned in

Germany

1967 4574

Owned in

Ireland

1967 4574

Owned in

1962/63 4574

A typical 4574 from the period.

Owned in

Germany

1964/65 4574

A typical 4574 from the period, all the original fittings

Owned by Leo Portella

Brazil

1964/65 4574

A lovely brown sunburst guitar

Owned in

Germany

C1964
4574

This is a picture story of a German 4574, bought quite cheaply, and in a poor state.
As you will see from the pics, it's been restored to a nice playable guitar without ruining the 40 year old patina.

Owned by Phil

Germany

c1967 4574

A very nice standard guitar

Owned in

Beautiful 1962 All original Hofner 4574

Machine heads, tailpiece and bridge all work fine and are all original.

The guitar is dated from the Volume pot date

Owned by Steve

1965 Hofner 4574

This one has been modified with upgraded pots and P90 pickups, the rest of the guitar remains untouched.

However there is a bit of a twist with this one, the head stock carries two indented numbers.
On the left it says 4574, and on the right the number 465. These are not Van Wouw numbers according to Harry Sibum.

The original pots are still with the guitar and are marked 75, which suggests week 7 1965.

Owned by Jean Pierre

France

c1964/65 HOFNER MODEL 4574

This one is fitted with the Hofner tremolo tailpiece, and the 4 rotary controls

Owned in

Germany.

c1964/5 HOFNER MODEL 4574

In nice condition

Owned in

Germany

c1967HOFNER MODEL 4574

This one is fitted with the lyre tailpiece, and the 3 rotary controls and pup selector

Owned by Craig

Wales

c1960/61 HOFNER MODEL 4574

Fitted with the Hofner tremolo tailpiece, and a rectangular control panel, make this a very early guitar

Owned in

USA.

4574

This guitar has had a chequered life.
When you look at the bigger pictures, you will see that at some time the back and sides have been stripped and finished in a very light blonde. The top has been repainted as is evidenced by the overspray under the "F" holes. I suspect that the bindings to the body may have been sprayed over and cleaned back, leaving the very much "off" white.
What has happened to the switching? Most 4574 guitars have a 3 way switch, but this one only has two pots, with no sign that holes have been filled, this may be obscured by the paint refinish.
The neck is a five piece, which is standard for the Verithin/4574.
The tuners are non original also the tailpiece, the truss rod cover is missing and the output jack is fixed to the body top.

This one seems to be sound and is ripe for restoration.

Owned by
Lars

4574

A really pretty example of this Verithin derivative.

Owned by Audrey

Austin, Texas.

USA

Owned in

4574

USA

c1965 HOFNER MODEL 4574

A beautiful guitar with staple pickups, four rotary controls, Hofner tremolo, and deep red finish.

Owned by Van de Heide

Holland