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Höfner files for insolvency

#101
No one is going to run Hofner the way its run now. Either they will get themselves out of it or they will close or sell. If they sell I can guarantee that the new owner will find a way to make Hofner objects cheaper. And maybe its not a terrible thing. Fender moved the top of the line Gretsch manufacturing to Japan and honestly its as good or better than it has ever been.
 
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#103
-Asdfgh- said:
Hofner does make other forms of guitars, but archtop guitars are favoured for jazz but it always struck me that kids rarely start with jazz and that jazz musicians tend to be much less driven by GAS. Outside school purchases of cheap instruments Hofner doesn't do any more, how many violins get sold? Hofner used to be a relatively economy brand.

I friend of mine had one of the cheapest early 1960s Hofner 335 type of guitars but one day it folded in half :(. When a friend of mine got into jazz for his 50th I got him a 1950s Ivor Mairants (OEM - I am not sure, possibly Framus) archtop which has been solid. Well, it's hollow, but you know what I mean. No pickup on that one unless you add one of the end-of-fretboard ones.
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When Hofner was known for orchestral string instruments, virtually everything coming out of the small German makers was considered "economy" - Hawkes contracted to German and French makers for their "cheep and cheerful" lines all the time... but then those instruments are the ones that ended up on famous recordings and performances so <shrug>
 
#104
Aberdumbie said:
Laying here with the flu and was going to let this go….. I sat in the living room with mom in my Flintstones jammie’s in 63 and watched the boys on Ed Sullivan. Now sixty-odd years later my wife and I having adopted two more youngsters to raise, I am keenly in tune to the younger generation. They are constantly bombarded with my “old” music. They also like to plunder my dresser drawer for my old rock & roll Teeshirts. I can assure you, they love the “retro” imagery. However no, they have zero interest in knowing the catalog….. And besides, if it were simply a matter of the sound. These days that it as simple as a twist of the knob. Electronics dictate sound these days. …… I still think a 1957 Chevy is the greatest car ever built. But I can assure you that it drives like a bus compared to the cars of today. It is fashion that changes. And sadly, Höfner fashion is no longer in vogue.
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You said under 40. I am 31 now and since I teach at university (computer science) too, I know tones of people in their 20s. I can absolutely assure you that a huge amount of people know tons and tons of Beatles song not just the "retro imagery" Don't use your anecdotes to generalize whole generations.
 
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#105
Aberdumbie said:
Laying here with the flu and was going to let this go….. I sat in the living room with mom in my Flintstones jammie’s in 63 and watched the boys on Ed Sullivan. Now sixty-odd years later my wife and I having adopted two more youngsters to raise, I am keenly in tune to the younger generation. They are constantly bombarded with my “old” music. They also like to plunder my dresser drawer for my old rock & roll Teeshirts. I can assure you, they love the “retro” imagery. However no, they have zero interest in knowing the catalog….. And besides, if it were simply a matter of the sound. These days that it as simple as a twist of the knob. Electronics dictate sound these days. …… I still think a 1957 Chevy is the greatest car ever built. But I can assure you that it drives like a bus compared to the cars of today. It is fashion that changes. And sadly, Höfner fashion is no longer in vogue.
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iTzPrime said:
You said under 40. I am 31 now and since I teach at university (computer science) too, I know tones of people in their 20s. I can absolutely assure you that a huge amount of people know tons and tons of Beatles song not just the "retro imagery" Don't use your anecdotes to generalize whole generations.
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I'm one of those people under 40 who knows tons of Beatles songs and remains a fan of the band. Remember the video game The Beatles Rock Band? That was one of the video games that defined my teens and made me obsessed with The Beatles.

In 2010, I once didn't miss a single note while playing expert level bass on "I Saw Her Standing There" - left handed (I'm normally right handed). It was the hardest bass song in the entire game! That was validation that I had what it took to play real bass for my teenage self. A few months later, I learned how to play it on real bass.

This is not me playing back then, but if you know, you know:


Paul McCartney was my first real bass hero at that time. And because of his influence, I even acquired my first Hofner bass at 16. It was a cheap Chinese made Ignition 500/1. It felt like a toy because it was so lightweight and the electronics were just strange! It was also so different than the Squier Affinity Jazz Bass that I learned how to play bass on. So I ended up returning it and getting my first real amp in its place.
 
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#106
Definitely know a lot of young people who know who The Beatles are, have favorite songs, and know a lot of the gear history behind them. But many of them can't afford even a Contemporary model 500/1, and aren't in any rush to buy one of the Ignition models. Many of them can barely afford rent.
Also, for a lot of stores that carry them, they are special-order and often have a no-return policy even in stores that have a return policy for everything else they sell. So there's that too.
 
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#107
JenderBazzFass said:
From their Facebook page:

Dear musicians, Höfner fans & friends, some of you may have already heard: our company has been going through a difficult period - especially since the introduction of the US tariffs - and filed for insolvency on Thursday, 11 December 2025.

We would like to clarify a few things: We are not discontinuing production, distribution or our media channels. In Germany, there is a three-month period before the actual insolvency procedure is opened. This period offers the opportunity to consolidate the company and restructure it for a better future.

Within this period, we will continue to build and sell our instruments and the Höfner team is doing its best to provide you with the support, service and warranties you expect.

We would like to express our appreciation to all of you who continue to support us even in these difficult times!

Thank You! The team at Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG
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Thank you.
Posted here, too.
www.notreble.com

Höfner Issues Statement on Insolvency Filing: “We Are Not Discontinuing Production”

Höfner has issued a statement clarifying its insolvency filing, confirming production, sales, and customer support will continue during a restructuring period.
www.notreble.com www.notreble.com
Now maybe we won't have to see any of those ridiculous "Paul McCartney should buy Hofner!" posts.
 
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#110
Well, with the news from last week that Hofner are having financial difficulties and are trying to restructure their company financially I thought I'd post a pick of one of mine. This is a 500/1-61-0.

I sincerely hope that they're able to keep the company in operation for now and many years to come.

TD

Dec 22-26-2.JPG
 
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#112
I’d probably use my Höfner more often if it had active electronics.

If I had money to burn, I’d buy a German made one, and send it off to the fine folks at Alembic to “Alembicize” it.

Actually, it’d probably sound pretty dang cool to do that. If anyone’s interested in hearing the result, send me the money necessary to cover the costs. ;)
 
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#113
g-dude said:
I’d probably use my Höfner more often if it had active electronics.

If I had money to burn, I’d buy a German made one, and send it off to the fine folks at Alembic to “Alembicize” it.

Actually, it’d probably sound pretty dang cool to do that. If anyone’s interested in hearing the result, send me the money necessary to cover the costs. ;)
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I'll fund the whole project.


Maybe, if you're nice, I will let you try it out occasionally. :woot:
 
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#115
I tried a few cheap ones a few years back and didn’t like the quality. The club bass is one that never quite leaves my list of potential future acquisitions. I’m wondering if the quality control on the cheaper line is partly to blame.

… I’m kinda hoping Sire buys their IP.
 
#116
Paul McCartney, James Jamerson and Jaco Pastorius are iconic bass players who will always be quoted as long as the art persists. However, the influence of traditional bass guitar seems to be fading in recent popular music. Höfner as a company has a reputation to protect much because of Sir Paul, but as there's less of a market these days, realities are setting in. Youngsters these days don't necessarily know or care about The Beatles at all.
 
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#117
The German 500/1 I played at an exhibition at the train museum in Berlin in 2004 is one of the finest instruments I’ve ever played. Just incredibly smooth, light and responsive. I was alone in a room full of high end guitars and basses for over an hour with no one else there. I still kick myself for not walking out with the Hofner 😅 Even then it was over $3000, so I understand why the market for these has always been tiny. They’re a one trick pony bass. I had a cherry red Chinese Hofner that I put those Seymour Duncan mini humbuckers in. It was great for recording but it felt like a cheap toy in comparison. If someone took over Hofner and built a bass at the same quality as the German ones at half the price, I would buy one.
 
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