Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar SB/Per

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar SB/Per review

The Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar SB/Per takes its visual cue from Höfner's violin-bass style and applies it to a compact electric guitar. Its 89 x 23 x 5 cm dimensions make it notably small, while a 628 mm scale keeps the string length close to a familiar full-size guitar. The listed price is 211, and the instrument includes a gig bag, but no hard case.

That combination gives the Shorty a clear use case: a player who wants a smaller instrument for practice, travel, or seated playing, without moving to a very short scale. An owner report describes using it while seated with the guitar held at roughly a 45-degree angle on a strap, and finding it well suited to study. That is useful practical feedback, though comfort will still depend on the player's preferred posture and strap setup.

Construction and specifications

The body is mahogany, finished in sunburst, with a one-piece maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. The owner feedback praises the wood and the care of the finish, and describes the mahogany character as distinctive. Those are subjective impressions rather than measured tone claims, but they align with the model's straightforward material choices.

The fingerboard has 22 frets, and the scale length is 628 mm, or 24.7 inches. Nut width is 42 mm. These figures place the guitar between many standard-scale electrics and smaller travel instruments, offering a compact overall package without an especially short string length. There is no separate top listed, and the body dimensions keep the instrument slim as well as short.

Hardware is simple. A wraparound bridge anchors the strings, and the specification lists no tremolo. The control knobs are described as teacup style, and a pearloid pickguard supplies a period-inspired detail. The pickup configuration is H, with two Höfner humbuckers listed. That setup suggests a design centered on humbucker response rather than a single-coil layout, though the available information does not provide output readings, switching details, or a control diagram.

Playing feel and setup

The owner's main setup complaint was that the bridge felt very stiff and needed to be lowered. This is worth bearing in mind before judging the guitar's action straight from the box. Bridge adjustment can change string height and playing comfort, but the report does not specify the original action or the adjustment required. Buyers who are not comfortable setting up an instrument may want a technician to check it after delivery.

The same owner felt the tuning machines did not quite match the reputation of the Höfner name. No specific tuning failure or hardware defect was reported, so this should be treated as a personal criticism, not proof of a widespread problem. Still, it points to a sensible check during evaluation: confirm that the tuners turn smoothly and hold pitch under normal playing conditions.

The compact body and seated-use feedback make posture one of this guitar's strongest practical arguments. It may suit players who practice in a chair or want a less cumbersome instrument to keep nearby. The included gig bag supports carrying and storage, but the supplied information does not identify its padding or protection level. It should not be assumed to offer the same protection as a fitted hard case.

Value and verdict

At a listed price of 211, the Shorty combines a distinctive Höfner-inspired outline with a mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and two humbuckers. The owner feedback rates its value favorably and compliments the finish and wood quality. Its compact measurements and gig bag add to the practical appeal, particularly for regular study or transport.

The trade-offs are equally specific. The bridge may need adjustment, and the tuners drew criticism in the available owner report. There is no hard case, and the specification does not provide details such as pickup switching, weight, or factory setup measurements. Those omissions make it important to inspect the instrument or confirm the seller's return and setup policies when buying.

The Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar SB/Per is best considered by players who value compact dimensions, a violin-bass-inspired look, and a humbucker-equipped electric guitar for practice and everyday use. Its reported comfort for seated playing is a meaningful advantage. Check the setup and tuning machines, and the package looks like a thoughtfully sized option at its listed price.