Hofner's Verythin model made in Germany has long been ahighly desired guitar, but the price has been very steep. These days Hofner is making one in China, and it is definitely made to a high standard. The basic shape is there, a guitar similar to a Gibson ES335, but with softer horns on the cutaways similar to a Gretsch. And the body is a scant 1-1/4" thick. Couple that with the fact that the inner sustain block is spruce to cut weight even more, and this semi-hollow weighs pretty much like a stratocaster. Yet there is still enough air and resonant top and bottom wood to create a guitar that has a fair amount of acoustic ring to it unplugged. The pickups are full size nickel plated humbuckers rether than the mini size on the German model. They seem to me to be wound to give a clear, true sound with a lot of highs and definition, rather than aggressive high output and a fat bottom end. Overdriven, the sound works fine for me; just be aware that turning the volume controls all the way up won't push your amp really hard without using an overdrive pedal or dialing in extra amp gain.

Out of the box my example came well set up, needing a very minor truss rod tweek and lowering the bass side of the tune-o-matic style bridge  just a little to suit my tastes. Little or no fret rattle, and no problem with intonation at all. The finish, bindings, and inlays are decently applied. Frets are finished well for a guitar in this price range, and the rosewood fretboard is nice and smooth. Compared to an Epiphone, Ibanez, Washburn or anything else in this price range or even a bit higher the guitar looks, feels and sounds outstanding. I bought mine because I believe the others don't really measure up. And I like playing stuff that you don't see hanging on the wall in every music sture you walk into. Or being played on every stage.

This is a guitar that puts a bit of a Gretsch twist onto the ES335/Dot type instrument. Humbuckers, but extra clean and bright, as much Filtertron as P-A-F. And it's the brand the Beatles played back in 1962 when they were in Hamburg, when they were crafting their sound. OK, George didn't have one, but John, Paul and Stu Sutcliffe all did. And the profile looks like Geoge's Country Gentleman...