Need info on a Hohner Contessa Guitar Model HG-18.

[Pam]

I am looking for information about the Contessa Guitar HG-18 made in Japan. Only info I could find was the Contessa was first built in Italy.
Thank you,
Pam

[VintAxe]

Contessa guitars were student instruments. My 1969 Hohner catalog lists a Contessa HG-15 and HG-20 but no HG-18.

There is a model HG-18 listed in my 1979 Hohner Price List but it is not designated as a Contessa. It is a Deluxe Classical guitar with a laminate top that lists for $220.

Sounds like you have a budget Classical guitar built in Japan in the 1970's.

[Pam]

Thank you very much for the information. Is the HG 18 still being produced? Is the price you quoted from the catalog new or used price?
I even contacted a guitar store there resources only went to the 1980's.
Do you know who I could contact to find out additional history?
Pam

[VintAxe]

Hi Pam.

Hohner stopped using the HG prefix in the 1980's. HG just stood for "Hohner Guitar" and all of their guitars were HG-number in the 70's.

The price in the catalog was a suggested retail price in 1979. Back in the day you could always buy an instrument for 15-20% less than suggested retail.

Many Hohner instruments in the 70's were sourced from the Japanese company Moridaira. In the 1980's Hohner began to source from Cort. So my best guess is that your guitar was actually built by Moridaira. The Moridaira company was (is) a huge OEM manufacturer. Morris is the house brand for Moridaira guitars but they built guitars for many distributors back in the 70's.

I don't know anyone that specializes in Hohner history.