Höfner files for insolvency

[Geek99]

I’ve never tried one but maybe I should 

[2pods]

I had the use of, I think, a Hofner Galaxy with tapewound strings in the early '70s.

It looked exactly the same as the guitar version.

It sounded OK, but it was really comfy to play.

 

Of course, then there was my often repeated moan about buying an original 60s Violin bass for £50 in the 80s.

Kept it for a year and sold it for.........you guessed it......£50.

If only I knew 

Edited December 18, 2025 by 2pods

[Hellzero]

2 hours ago, BassAgent said:

Except for John Stirratt, Chris Wood, Tame Impala, Tina Weymouth, Robbie Shakespeare, Flabba Holt, Dale Davis, JMJ, Max Oleartchik of Big Thief... Need more?

You can add Tom Petty and these guys: https://www.hofner.com/blog/hofner-artists-4

And those bands plus many more, mostly unknown: https://www.hofner.com/blog/beatles-60s-2

[Machines]

3 hours ago, BassAgent said:

Except for John Stirratt, Chris Wood, Tame Impala, Tina Weymouth, Robbie Shakespeare, Flabba Holt, Dale Davis, JMJ, Max Oleartchik of Big Thief... Need more?

 

You have demonstrated perfectly my point thank you - I have never heard/seen of these.

[Machines]

Double post.

Edited December 17, 2025 by Machines

[Bass Direct]

2 minutes ago, Machines said:

 

You have demonstrated perfectly my point thank you - I have never heard/seen of these.

Some big names there in the bass world, shocked...

[Machines]

1 minute ago, Bass Direct said:

Some big names there in the bass world, shocked...

 

I find I become familiar with what I listen to, or what people tell me. For example I now know a lot about Mark King... 😁

 

[Supernaut]

40 minutes ago, Bass Direct said:

Some big names there in the bass world, shocked...

[Mrbigstuff]

3 hours ago, Geek99 said:

I’ve never tried one but maybe I should 

I wouldn’t go too far out of your way for it 

[p4ul]

I still have a 63 Hofner Verythin that I picked up 30 years ago for a song, plays lovely, bit battered and not all OG but the neck is a joy until you hit the dusty end of the dusty end, sounds great and light as a feather. Way nicer than the recent VT offering imho.

 

Admittedly, does not get played as much as it should, rocked it in the 90's in a grunge outfit, and sounded great in a stones trib band, but she is a very old lady now and a bit fragile for pub gigs 🙂 

*waits for Behringer to re-issue for £9.50

Edited December 17, 2025 by p4ul
I am not a big name in the bass world nor am I shocked

[BassAgent]

1 hour ago, Machines said:

 

You have demonstrated perfectly my point thank you - I have never heard/seen of these.

Ah yes well then it's well deserved that they're possibly going bankrupt.

[daveybass]

Mad news but who would buy it?

[Bass Direct]

2 hours ago, Machines said:

 

I find I become familiar with what I listen to, or what people tell me. For example I now know a lot about Mark King... 😁

 

oops...

[Dad3353]

24 minutes ago, daveybass said:

Mad news but who would buy it?

 

Hofner make excellent instruments, and not just basses. 

[Kev]

Its pretty incredible they have kept it going for as long as they have on their own, I assumed they had been bought by a big player decades ago. Its a very niche product as a core instrument

 

I can't see why someone wouldn't buy the license to use the name and build these going forward, but I can't  see anyone saving the business.

[Hellzero]

23 minutes ago, Kev said:

I can't see why someone wouldn't buy the license to use the name and build these going forward, but I can't  see anyone saving the business.

As I wrote earlier Macca could do it as he said he could have bought Fender when they were close to bankruptcy...

 

That said Peter Jackson could certainly do it too.

[BassAgent]

How about Elon?

[snorkie635]

Not a good year this one. Roll on '26 and hope for better news.

[oakforest5961]

7 hours ago, BassAgent said:

Except for John Stirratt, Chris Wood, Tame Impala, Tina Weymouth, Robbie Shakespeare, Flabba Holt, Dale Davis, JMJ, Max Oleartchik of Big Thief... Need more?

 

Talkbass has a thread "Hofner players...that AREN'T Paul": https://www.talkbass.com/threads/hofner-players…that-aren’t-paul.1582970/

[Beedster]

8 hours ago, warwickhunt said:

Hohner should buy it... save me typing in the wrong name all of the time!  

Making current models Pre-Hohner Hofners 👍

[Lozz196]

7 hours ago, BassAgent said:

Except for John Stirratt, Chris Wood, Tame Impala, Tina Weymouth, Robbie Shakespeare, Flabba Holt, Dale Davis, JMJ, Max Oleartchik of Big Thief... Need more?

Captain Sensible of The Damned played one as well, in the early days of the band, before moving to guitar.

[prowla]

7 hours ago, BassAgent said:

Except for John Stirratt, Chris Wood, Tame Impala, Tina Weymouth, Robbie Shakespeare, Flabba Holt, Dale Davis, JMJ, Max Oleartchik of Big Thief... Need more?

I've heard of Tina Weymouth, but I thought she played a Mustang.

 

[BassAgent]

1 minute ago, prowla said:

I've heard of Tina Weymouth, but I thought she played a Mustang.

 

Mainly known for playing a Club:

[Al Krow]

Be sad to see the passing of this iconic brand!

 

 

Wonder if it might get snapped up by a rival or even Thomann?

[luckman67]

Really sad news I honestly hope Hofner can be saved. Bought my 500/1 37 years ago & it's been my favorite bass ever since. Maybe someone like Warwick could buy them & keep them in Germany, good luck to all the Hofner employees.