Perhaps in response to the Stratocaster-inspired, Swedish-made Hagstrom models that featured a vinyl covered back, the German-based Hofner company served up Model 175 in the late 1960s with a body completely covered in vinyl.

But where the vinyl on the Hagstroms had the color-coordinated look of upscale automative upholstery, the vinyl on the Hofner looked as if it might have been taken from a kitchen floor. Aside from the vinyl covering, Model 175 was very similar to the Hofner Galaxie, with three pickups, numerous roller controls, a distinctive vibrato, a string mute, and Hofner’s signature full-width fingerboard markers.

Hofner achieved considerable notoriety in the 1960s – not as a result of the 175 but on the strength of a violin-style hollow bass used by The Beatles’ Paul McCartney.

The company went through a series of ownership changes beginning in 1994, and although vintage-style Hofner instruments (primarily acoustics, hollow electrics, and basses) are still produced and distributed worldwide, the vinyl-covered 175 is mercifully not included in the current offering.