1970s Hoyer (Korea-made) Jumbo 12-String Guitar

The story on this one is that it was bought by a US serviceman in South Korea while he was stationed there. He went directly to the factory and they said they could build this one custom for him. It certainly looks and sounds custom, for sure -- most factory Korean 12-string do not have solid tops or oodles of actual pearl binding. They also don't sound like a really good '60s Guild 12-string after fixing, either. This one does, though, so its current owner (my customer) has won the battle.

After regluing the bridge and giving it a glorified setup and adjustments, this old guitar sounds great -- bright, chimey, clean, and with a lot of volume and a shimmery sweetness. I've set it up as a "strummer" with really light gauges that make it feel like playing a 6-string with lights on it. Think Tom Petty strummy stuff. That's how the owner will be using it, anyhow.

The only other Hoyer guitars I'm aware of are East German funk-tastic archtops and electrics, so I have no idea how the brand relates to whatever Korean factory actually made this.

Repairs included: bridge reglue, saddle alterations (extra compensation, fit), light bridge shave and string ramp additions, fret level/dress, minor cleaning, good setup.

Made by: Hoyer?

Made in: South Korea

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: ply flamed maple

Bracing type: x

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: maple

Tone: clean, bright, shimmery, sweet

Suitable for: rock, Glen Campbell-y country, folk, country blues (with heavier gauges)

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: custom 20w/46w, 14/36w, 11/26w, 8/18w, 13/13, 10/10 low to high

Neck shape: slim-med C

Board radius: ~12"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Scale length: 25 1/4"

Nut width: 1 7/8"

Body length: 20"

Body width: 17 1/4"

Body depth: 5"

Condition notes: it's clean and all-original throughout save a slightly-modified bridge, saddle, and one bridge pin. There's only a little bit of usewear overall -- it looks like a 5-year-old instrument, to be honest. I didn't take them off, but I'm wondering if the Kluson-style tuners might be replacements.