Master violin maker Karl Höfner founded his own stringed and fretted instrument company in Schönbach, Germany in 1887. With a reputation for quality, craftsmanship and innovation. Sons Josef and Walter joined their father's company in 1919 and 1921 respectively. Hofner was know for acoustic guitars In a market dominated by inexpensive student guitars
In 1955 Walter Höfner, a creative businessman as well as a violin and guitar maker, invented an electrically amplified semi-acoustic bass. The distinctive 500/1 Hofner bass was launched at the 1956 Frankfurt Music Fair and subsequently rose to fame under a different name.
In 1961 Paul McCartney bought his first Höfner bass in a music shop in Hamburg. This ‘Beatle Bass’ can be heard on many of the Beatles‘ most famous songs and a Hofner violin bass still accompanies Paul McCartney on stage and in the studio.
Today, Höfner continues to build historic high quality guitars and basses with old school craftsmanship and modern assembly techniques. New generations of players now appreciate Hofner hollow body and bass guitar quality and distinctive Hofner tone. Hofner has several lines to choose from. Popular lines include the German built reissue violin and club basses, Contemporary CT violin and club basses and Verythin guitars.
We stock Hofner Basses and Guitars. If you need something we don't stock we are minutes from the only Hofner USA Warehouse and can quickly get anything in stock at Hofner's warehouse. Call us at 773-878-8616 or drop us an email for a quote on your next Hofner.