Hofner Club 60 Sunburst 1960

This second hand electric guitar is in very good condition for its age.

All working fine,

There is wear to the finish on the back of the neck , some scuffs at the top of the headstock and the tone knob top cover is missing.

The 1960 Club 60 represents one of Hofner’s golden-era builds, with premium appointments and the distinctive “toaster” pickups that gave it a unique tonal character.

By 1960, the Hofner Club series had already established itself as a European alternative to Gibson-style guitars, offering high-quality craftsmanship at a more affordable price. The Club 60 was the top of the Club lineup (above the Club 40 and Club 50), built in Germany and exported worldwide, including to the UK through Selmer. It became especially iconic after being associated with early British rock ‘n’ roll players — most famously John Lennon, who used a Club 40 before switching to a Rickenbacker.

Build & Design

• Body: Hollow-body (no center block), single cutaway. Laminated maple back and sides, spruce or maple top (depending on batch).

• Neck: One-piece maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, mother-of-pearl block inlays.

• Scale length: 24.5" — slightly shorter than Gibson, easy on the hands.

• Finish: Typically sunburst with beautiful nitrocellulose lacquer.

• Binding: Multi-ply binding on top and back — more ornate than the Club 40 and 50.

• Hardware: Höfner trapeze tailpiece, floating rosewood bridge, open-back tuners.

• Pickups: Two Hofner toaster single-coils , rectangular, chrome-covered units with exposed poles.

• Controls: Tea-cup style knobs, three rotary controls (volume/tone) plus pickup selector switches.

The guitar has a very distinctive 1950s/early 1960s German aesthetic: compact body, deep sunburst, and ornate touches that give it charm and individuality.

Tone & Performance

• Pickups: The toaster single-coils are bright, articulate, and jangly, with a clear top end. Compared to Gibson P-90s of the same era, they are less powerful but have more chime and sparkle.

• Clean tones: Sweet, woody, and open , perfect for early rock ‘n’ roll, skiffle, and rhythm playing.

• Overdriven tones: With a cranked amp, the pickups can snarl, though they remain thinner than humbuckers. They excel in raw, vintage rock textures.

• Neck pickup: Warm and jazzy, but still clear.

• Bridge pickup: Sharp and biting, with a bit of nasal midrange that cuts through a mix.

• Playability: The short scale and slim neck profile make it very comfortable, though vintage frets may feel a bit cramped by modern standards..

Strengths

• Beautiful vintage craftsmanship with classic German styling.

• Toaster pickups give a unique tonal identity — jangly and bright, unlike Gibson or Fender.

• Comfortable short scale and lightweight hollow body.

• Historically significant — linked with the pre-Beatles UK rock ‘n’ roll scene.

• Collectible and increasingly rare, especially in good condition.

The 1960 Hofner Club 60  is a charming and historically important instrument that captures the sound of late-1950s/early-1960s European rock and roll. Its bright, jangly voice and lightweight feel make it an inspiring guitar for vintage enthusiasts, collectors, and players seeking a unique tonal palette outside the Gibson/Fender mainstream. While not the most versatile instrument by modern standards, its mojo and vintage character are undeniable.