Hohner Guitaret

A compact electric lamellophone designed by Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias, produced briefly in the early 1960s.

Overview

The Hohner Guitaret is an electric lamellophone - basically an electrified thumb piano - developed by Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias in the early 1960s. It was produced from 1963 to 1965. You hold it like a guitar, gripping the instrument's neck or handle. It has a built-in pickup, and you pluck metal tines and send the sound out through an amplifier. A piano damper pedal is mounted to one side, which gives you control over sustain. It was short-lived, and it has a cult following among experimental musicians and collectors.

Design

The Guitaret uses a lamellophone mechanism with a built-in pickup. Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias designed it. The player plucks metal tines and holds the instrument like a guitar, gripping the 'neck' or handle. A piano damper pedal is mounted to one side, and the instrument connects to an amplifier for sound output.

Context

The Guitaret is listed alongside the Clavinet and Pianet as an electromechanical keyboard designed by Ernst Zacharias for Hohner. It was described as a rationalized thumb piano. Production was limited and ran only from 1963 to 1965.

Market

The Guitaret is considered a rare vintage instrument, and its scarcity is attributed to limited production. Units have sold for as much as $2,235.01 USD or $1,199.00 CAD. The higher-priced listings often note servicing, original cases, and manuals. One notable example came from the collection of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk.

Similar items on eBay

No exact Hohner Guitaret listings are live right now — these searches show current Hohner and similar vintage synth gear on eBay:

Search Hohner Guitaret on eBay Browse Hohner synth gear on eBay

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.