A beautiful Meinel 'Hemosch' model jazz guitar, built in West Germany circa 1950s by the revered builder Ammon Meinel.
 
Specs:
 
Country of Origin: East Germany
Year of Manufacture: circa 1950s
Finish: Blonde
Top: Spruce Veneer
Back: 2-piece Flamed Maple
Sides: Alternating Mahogany
Neck: Flamed Maple with Mahogany Stripe
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Bridge: Carved Ebony
Pickup: Rellog Fingerboard-Mounted (untested)
Case: Original Floral-Lined
 
History:
 
Ammon Meinel produced 3 variants of this model, one under their own name, the second for Lorenz and this one - which was produced for the German dealer 'Hermosch'. Of the 3 models, this one was distinguished by a particularly high end flamed maple back (the other 2 used mahogany).
Particularly notable of Meinel guitars is their beautiful use of veneer - obtained via the 'gang saw' method, which provided longer and stronger strips of veneer to achieve their dramatic body shapes.
 
This example is a typical model, featuring all the flair and skilled woodwork found on Meinel-built guitars. Typical features include a beautiful arched spruce top, paired with a flamed maple back and gorgeous alternating mahogany strip sides. It also features a gorgeous solid carved ebony (or equivalent domestic darkwood) bridge and a beautiful wooden pickguard - which is actually part of the neck's construction.
 
Further typical of the model is the inclusion of a 'Rellog' fingerboard-mounted pickup, accessed via 'banana plug' jacks to the heel. I have no means of testing this as the technology is long-obsolete, though there's no indication that the pickup can't be brought back to life.
 
Originality/Condition:
 
It appears near all-original, including its original beautiful floral-lined case. The only non-original parts are the tuners (which appear to have been changed more than once in the guitar's life). The tailpiece is period and potentially original, though appears strikingly similar to a contemporary Hofner tailpiece. It is not out of the question that it would've been factory fitted with this, given the guitar's German origin. It's also fathomable that this was fitted by Hemosch - either way, it suits the guitar handsomely.
The condition is fantastic for the guitar's age, well looked after with some minor dings and finish hazing from gentle play. The neck is surprisingly straight despite the lack of truss rod - Meinel guitars were somewhat forward-thinking, using a 'bolt' to the neck heel for easy neck adjustment.
 
A beautiful German jazz guitar, hand built by a master craftsman using the finest local lumber, complete with its original case.