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—essentially an electrified thumb piano—developed by Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias in the early 1960s. It was produced from 1963 to 1965 and is notable for its unique playing position: held like a guitar, with the player gripping the instrument’s neck or handle. The Guitaret features a built-in pickup and is played by plucking metal tines, with sound output through an amplifier. It includes a piano damper pedal mounted to one side, allowing for expressive sustain control. Though short-lived, it has gained a cult following among experimental musicians and collectors.

Design

The Guitaret utilizes a lamellophone mechanism with a built-in pickup and was designed by Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias. It is played by plucking metal tines and features a piano damper pedal mounted to one side. The instrument is held like a guitar, with the player gripping the 'neck' or handle, and it 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 a short-lived instrument, described as a rationalized thumb piano, and saw limited production during its brief run from 1963 to 1965.

Market

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

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