Hi,
I noticed the purple plated guitar in the earlier post, and I think it may be a stripped Apache model. There has been a bit of confusion online about the various (admittedly similar) Hohner guitars that emerged during the early 60s.
With experience working on, or playing all of these (I own two genuine examples) Id like to shed a bit of light on the subject.
Starting with the Hohner Holborn…
This guitar was presumably made by G plan or an associated company. It featured a bolt on neck, Fenton Weill pick-ups, a fixed Telecaster style hardtail bridge and a mahogany body with a “maple” top. It had a see through pearloid scratchplate, with the “Holborn” legend engraved into it.
This guitar has no connection with Fenton Weill, apart from the pickups Fenton Weill also built similar designs for Hohner, releasing three models, using the same shape, although making considerable differences to each one.
Firstly, the “Apache”.
Solid mahogany construction, set neck and finished in an unusual beige nitro finish. Two Weill bar magnet pickups fitted onto a dark purple scratchplate. No mini scratchplate.
Typical Weill electrics and trem. Also open backed van ghent tuners.
Second in line was the “Zambezi”.
Solid mahogany construction, set neck and finished in a clear nitro finish. The finish showed off a “maple” top,(basically a very thin veneer) very much like the previously mentioned Holborn. Two bar magnet Weill pickups fitted onto a black scratchplate. The mini scratchplate was white with “Zambezi” engraved into it.
Typical Weill electrics and trem. Also open backed van ghent tuners.
The third and final guitar in this line was the luxurious “Amazon”.
The same type of body, however it was sculpted and sanded with a blended in heel-less neck. Finished in a clear nitro finish. Two powerful separate magnet Weill pickups fitted onto a red or sometimes black scratchplate. Mini scratchplate was either black or white (depending on main plate colour) with the “Amazon” legend engraved in.
Typical Weill electrics, trem and teardrop shaped van ghent tuners.
Obviously Fenton Weills vary a lot, and there have been the odd unbranded and unusual Fenton Weill branded anomalies crop up. The list above are the pretty much “official” designations for these particular guitars.
Thanks.
Piotr, the Weill lord!