Höfner files for insolvency

[Gunga Din]

I just hope Gibson doesn’t buy them, the Kiss of Death. They managed to run what was left of Steinberger into the ground.

That, iirc, was solely down to Henry J. The story I read was that Henry was walking through the factory one morning on his own, and spotted a sheaf of papers in a printer tray. Whatever HJ read in those papers (I think it was someone bad-mouthing what Gibson was doing with Steinberger) was enough for him to immediately shut production down. He even instructed that the original moulds & plugs be destroyed, effectively ending the L Series ever being produced again.

I hated HJ more than I hated Kim John Hall. And that's saying something!

 

[96tbird]

There's no (or nearly-no) third-party aftermarket parts for Ibanez instruments instrument either, and Ibanez makes more guitars and basses than Fender does.

In fact I can't think of any companies supported by a thriving third-party industry other than Fender, Gibson, and (trailing a distant third) Rickenbacker.

There are plenty of tuners, pickups and electronics available that fit Ibanez, Yamaha, Sire etc. instruments, but they're not specific to those brands as much as Ibanez etc. have opted for parts built to common sizes. There's no such thing as, for example, a third-party neck for a Soundgear bass.

Ibanez would make a terrific new owner of Hofner. I can’t think of another company that has the scale and quality standards than Ibby to make a go of it and keep it alive for decades to come. Made in Japan stamped on the top line products shouldn’t deter new business.

As for the folks that say NO to some CNC, did we protest when they quit carving neck pockets and moved to routers and jigs etc? Modernizing some building tools doesn’t take anything away from the final product.
Nor does a switch from hide glue to modern glues. Rough shaping a neck and final shaping by hand isn’t objectionable, nor should a modern air clamp cause turmoil. IF the top line continues using top selected woods as they use now the end product will perform the same.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Not to be mean, but I think a famous Beatle already gave them an extra 60 years or so.

Beat me to it...the stars were in alignment. Could just as easily have been the Epiphone Rivoli.

Riis

 

[markjazzbassist]

sad news, my 65 hofner club has been my main bass for the last 4 years seeing hundreds of gigs and hours of practice. i love it. there is nothing like it. i might have to buy another as backup, i have been eyeing that Green Line.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Unlike G&L I do think there is a enough of a name/brand that would be worth saving. Hopefully they pull it off but if not I think it will end up going on in some way.

The German stuff is fantastic but really priced highly. So you have low cost lines and then a huge jump with nothing between. And they purposely made the Contemporary line different enough to not steal German sales. I think if they made a Contemporary line that was built to the same exact specs as the German stuff it would be more successful then the other stuff. They shouldn't worry about stealing German sales because those buyers are very different.

 

[Thornton Davis]

For those who aren't really familiar with Hofner, electric basses and guitars are a small portion of their overall business.

A huge part of their business is in the manufacturing of Classical Instruments like Violin's, Violas, Cello's, Double Basses, and Bows in their Hagenau factory. In order to be price competitive in the lower end Classical instrument market, Hofner's factory in China produces their lower priced Classical instruments.

Classical acoustic guitar's also make up a portion of their business.

As GIO mentioned in his previous post, Hofner's instruments that are manufactured in their Hagenau, Germany factory are hand made. The skill level to achieve this type of manufacturing is disappearing. If Hofner ends up closing, the music industry will lose those craftsmen and women that built Hofner's reputation over the past 142 years.

While I appreciate that technology must move forward in my opinion we need to maintain and not forget the craftsmen's skills of the past.

My fingers are crossed that someone with deep pockets recognizes this and steps up to save this historic company.

TD

 

[Nunovsky]

It seems that another one of the legacy brands is in dificulties...

 

[nixdad]

It seems that another one of the legacy brands is in dificulties...

Yikes. It's certainly a tough business.

 

[ardgedee]

Already being discussed here:

Thread 'Höfner files for insolvency'

Dec 16, 2025

I know nothing about how these things proceed in Europe but its sad news regardless. (apologies if this was posted before. I did a search but saw nothing)

Gitarrenhersteller Höfner beantragt Insolvenz

Zwischenzeitige Lieferschwierigkeiten hatten es schon erahnen lassen, dass bei der Karl Höfner GmbH und Co. KG mit Sitz in Baiersdorf bei Erlangen nicht mehr a

guitar-player.com

• Johnny Alien
• Replies: 117
• Forum: Basses [BG]

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[GretschWretch]

It is not just the string instrument industry that risks losing all the specialist trained construction and repair technicians. Based on my local concert band shop, there is, in the United States as I type this, only one outlet that replates piston valves for trumpets, tubas, euphoniums, etc. If we don't get more of those and soon, everyone who plays an older horn is screwed.

 

[Jeff Scott]

It is not just the string instrument industry that risks losing all the specialist trained construction and repair technicians. Based on my local concert band shop, there is, in the United States as I type this, only one outlet that replates piston valves for trumpets, tubas, euphoniums, etc. If we don't get more of those and soon, everyone who plays an older horn is screwed.

And, it's going the same way with electricians, plumbers, plasterers, fine carpenters, masons and concrete crafts people, etc. At least, those who are really any good at the trade they're in.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

And, it's going the same way with electricians, plumbers, plasterers, fine carpenters, masons and concrete crafts people, etc. At least, those who are really any good at the trade they're in.

I was going to mention that. I was an HVAC service tech, now I install and repair dental equipment. Good luck getting someone new who wants to lean and sticks around in either industry.

 

[dlmarquez]

Nowadays (damned I sound OLD!) very very few products are made with quality, durability, craftsmanship, and pride of ownership as primary considerations. You pay for all those things, but you get something real if difficult to express in return.
I have a beautiful luthier built custom classical guitar…every time I open the case I smell the aroma of Spanish Cypress and cedar, thank you Robert Webster! Its a beautiful instrument and it’s inspiring just to look at it, to hold it, to admire it. Then you play it and you discover it has a beautiful tonal palette and plays like silk on ebony.
My fretless Rickenbacker and my Hofner Green Line Violin basses also give me a bit of that pride of ownership, inspiration, and appreciation for real artistry and craftsmanship.
I miss those things in so much of our disposable society….now its all about building revenue streams and maintaining profit margins every quarter.

 

[LAST_C]

I don't know how many people play a violin bass nowadays. Their offerings are all classic looks and sound. I've never thought of buying a Hofner and Beatles' fans are dwindling, in my opinion, because of age mainly.

I believe they needed to reinvent themselves with some modern instruments.

 

[Aberdumbie]

Well in the real world.... How many young players in 2025 will be influenced by the greatest rock group of all-time who most folks under forty are unable to name even one of their songs? They had a good, long run and I am sure one of the major manufacturers will pick them up.

 

[LAST_C]

I think they need to reinvent themselves. The violin bass is not a popular bass and, there are other companies that offer a similar model for less money.

They need to release new, modern models. This bankruptcy proves they cannot rely solely on the "Beatle Bass".

 

[RandomKaren]

I just hope Gibson doesn’t buy them, the Kiss of Death. They managed to run what was left of Steinberger into the ground.

Mesa is doing ok as far as I can see. New models, and a range of guitar combos for Gibson. I have one

 

[nickpc]

I wonder what their revenue share is between the Guitars & Basses and String Instruments & Bows lines of business. If one side is holding the other up then this is not good for the lagging side.

 

[Wavy]

Sad yet unsurprising.

Boomers age out while vocoders take over.

Few are willing to spend the time necessary to become proficient at playing an instrument. Get on (insert country here) _____'s Got Talent and become a huge musical superstar, no effort required.

According to the interwebs -- so it must be true -- Harley-Davidson is experiencing similar pains.

 

[Naviiin]

I'd love a Höfner, but my amateur self can't justify buying one. A violin never seemed like a #1 to me, more like a bass you buy after you've got your P/J/Stingray bases covered and are looking into specialist sounds.

That wooden bridge also seems like a pain? If they did a proper Contemporary Violin with VVT controls, one pickup in the sweet spot and a tune-o-matic style bridge I'd definitely consider one. Like Guild: that Starfire I with the single P pickup is something Hofner should've done ages ago.