List Price - $1399
Street Price - $979

Through out the ages guitars have continued to develop, the Hohner Eclipse continues in that pioneering endeavor. The late 60s brought us the roundback guitar design which used “resin” materials. In 2007 Hohner introduced a roundback guitar that goes back to the original guitar material – wood. But, the Hohner Eclipse is anything but traditional looking.

Utilizing a patent-pending design, the Eclipse uses Cross-Woven Spherical Alder for its back. This innovation offers 30% less weight than typical roundback guitars. The slimmer body for some players is the way to go being more comfortable. Hohner has also added a nice feature to overcome the problem that roundback guitars sometimes exhibit – slipping off the player leg while sitting. The have applied a type of gripping paint (very rough feeling) in the shape of trees to stop unwanted slippage. The uniquely painted back also plays into a moon motif shown on the headstock bridge and back of the guitar (see photo).

The neck feels great on this guitar, very comfortable and playable. The 5 piece mahogany and maple neck features a slight V shape as well as an ebony fingerboard with oval inlays. The unique fretboard cut on the bass side where it joins the body really catches the eye. It is topped off with a TUSQ nut and high-ratio gold Gotoh tuners with ebony buttons, which gives it a great look. The bridge is also ebony featuring a TUSQ saddle. It also comes with a hardshell case.

The model that was received to review features the Turquoise “Tiger-Flame” Maple top (laminate maple top on top of spruce) which features and abalone and maple purfling. At the end guitar where the purfling joins the body there were some slight finishing flaws, mostly glue problems, also a little filler to help the purfling on each side meet.

The “Boomerang Echo” sound holes offer a unique look and good sound projection. A single oval shaped hole is in the center in the traditional spot, but four other holes fan out over the upper bout offering a nice visual touch, as well as offering added projection. This is definitely a guitar with some flash. Not your typical sit and strum guitar, Hohner has put out a guitar that is as colorful on stage as the people using it. If you feel you need a little more stage presence the Eclipse can help out.

The ANP-41 preamp utilizes a Nano-flex style element under the saddle. The built in tuner is a great and easy to use feature in a unique circular design. The guitar played acoustically has a good bright tone. Personally, I feel the guitar could use a little more on the bass and mid side of the acoustic tone. Plugged in the guitar sounded good, not too boomy or mid heavy. Although one weird thing: when playing and having the tuner on caused the signal to have some sort of transient distortion. Of course, how many of us play with the tuner on?

Overall the guitar has great looks and nice playability. The acoustic tonal shortcomings are made up for in the pickup, which is the reason most people get into roundback guitars.

http://www.hohnerusa.com/index.php?1494

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