VAN WOUW SERIAL No: 5390
This guitar has had an interesting history, and that is why it is featured on this website. It has been owned throughout by Paul Gorter who is the son of the late Mr Marc B. Gorter (1906-1977). Marc Gorter was a director and partner in the Dutch firm of Van Wouw, who were the sole importers and distributors of Hofner guitars in The Netherlands during the 1950's, 60's and 70's.
In 1970, Paul Gorter was employed in the Van Wouw workshop on a two-week holiday job from school. This involved him fitting strings to and tuning up some of the many Spanish-made guitars that Van Wouw imported at that time. He explains ..........
"In the workshop I noticed this nice little guitar on a rack collecting dust. It had a flaw, a spot to the left of the bridge where the lacquer is damaged and that made it un-saleable. So, I asked if I could have it as payment for my work.
It has the Van Wouw No 5390 stamped in at the top, which indicates that it was imported in 1962 (according to Harry Sibum of the 'HöfnerHouse') The potcode is 519 S.
Originally it had the two 'diamond-logo' pick-ups, the strip tuners, a pick-guard and the ebony bridge (that I still have). The headstock had the three-piece pearloid/turtle-plastic fascia, that in 1970 I thought of as old-fashioned and looking cheap. I sprayed it black and asked my father for a decal logo. In this 1970's upgrading, I also replaced the bridge, and the bridge pick-up for a new stronger Höfner 511(iii) unit.
The control console is rather a puzzle. Hofner would usually have fitted a console with a dark brown tortoishell fascia on a guitar with black body binding. Also, the 519S potcode indicates that the console was manufactured in late 1959; at least two years prior to the guitar being assembled. Perhaps the console was exchanged during the eight years or so that it sat in Van Wouw's workshop? A very interesting guitar with plenty of secrets!
The style of headstock originally fitted to the guitar.