Höfner files for insolvency

[BassAgent]

Things are not looking good for Höfner.

https://guitar-player.com/stories/gitarrenhersteller-hoefner-beantragt-insolvenz/

 

"Temporary delivery problems had already hinted that things weren't running smoothly at Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG, based in Baiersdorf near Erlangen. Now it's official: "To safeguard the debtor's assets from adverse changes (§ 21 para. 1 and 2 of the German Insolvency Code), preliminary insolvency proceedings will be ordered on December 10, 2025, at 5:05 p.m.," according to the official announcement from the Fürth District Court. Nuremberg-based lawyer Dr. Hubert Ampferl has been appointed as the preliminary insolvency administrator. He will now monitor the company's financial situation and examine whether and how regular insolvency proceedings will be initiated. This doesn't yet mean the end of the long-established company, but it's certainly not a good sign."

[prowla]

Well, I guess you can only sell so many Beatles basses.

[NancyJohnson]

1 hour ago, prowla said:

Well, I guess you can only sell so many Beatles basses.

 

I just took a look at their website; now there's always going to be some smart Alec that will comment to the contrary, but the whole business seems to be being carried by their proxy association with Macca.  Less core instruments than Fender.

 

I was actually quite surprised they had a couple of guitar models and upright basses.

[Hellzero]

Macca can solve this insolvency within a minute...

 

Maybe he will.

[Cat Burrito]

As a long time user of my long scale Hofner Verythin bass, this is sad

 

 

[Grahambythesea]

I can’t help thinking that another maker will buy it up for the iconic name if nothing else.

[police squad]

sad news indeed.

hopefully someone will step in and save them

[BlueMoon]

3 minutes ago, police squad said:

hopefully someone will step in and save them

I guess Macca would be a an obvious candidate if he were interested in a sideline business venture. He’s shrewd, so maybe not.

[Hellzero]

 

 

[BlueMoon]

Same thoughts!

[SICbass]

Sad news indeed.

[spyder]

Very sad news.☹️

[Machines]

15 hours ago, prowla said:

Well, I guess you can only sell so many Beatles basses.

 

I've noticed a lot of stock in some places (e.g. BassDirect currently have 19), it does seem to me to be a niche brand I never see used outside of Beatles cover bands/collectors walls.

[Rosie C]

11 hours ago, Grahambythesea said:

I can’t help thinking that another maker will buy it up for the iconic name if nothing else.

 

Thomann maybe?

 

[BassApprentice]

Similar to Hiscox - it will emerge in a slightly different form.

 

As others have said, you just don't see them on stages anymore. I wonder if they are more frequently used for recording than we are aware of...

 

Definitely a brand that needs a shot in the arm as I am sure they are quality instruments, even if they aren't "cool"

[warwickhunt]

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

[Beedster]

14 minutes ago, BassApprentice said:

you just don't see them on stages anymore

 

You do if you're watching Chris Wood..... 👍

 

[BassAgent]

31 minutes ago, Machines said:

 

I've noticed a lot of stock in some places (e.g. BassDirect currently have 19), it does seem to me to be a niche brand I never see used outside of Beatles cover bands/collectors walls.

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

[SICbass]

3 minutes 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?

 

Amy winehouse?

[Woodinblack]

11 minutes 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 didn't know half of those, so googling them showed all of them except Max Oleatchik with a different bass (almost all a fender) as the first image. I don't think it is enough to keep a band going that half a list of people quoted as being players of a brand I didn't know and they were playing something else anyway. In fact thinking about it, I have never seen a group who actually play one of those basses, in fact thinking about it, i have never seen one of those basses outside a shop. One shop. 

[BigRedX]

The only violin bass I have ever seen being played at a gig was a Grant copy used by the bassist of Nottingham band "…But Is It Art?" in the early 80s.

 

However I've seen plenty of very nice looking Höfner vintage semi-acoustic guitars at various gigs.

 

Unfortunately while there are plenty of "Beatle Basses" on the current Höfner website, the current range of guitars all appear to be rather bland and boring compared with what was available in the 60s.

[Bass Direct]

Really sad news, big fans of Höfner here! Lets hope they get investment/a new owner and push forward again into the future, the product is too good to let go.

 

[LeftyJ]

That's sad, such an iconic brand. I'd love to own a Club Bass one day, but they're too expensive to justify how little I would play it (as there were never any lefty Icon, Ignition or Contemporary Club basses, only Violin basses - but I really don't care for those even if it is arguably THE most iconic lefty bass out there). 

[Supernaut]

New Fender Hofner range coming soon! 

[Cliff Edge]

I’ve seen a lot of the violin basses being used in bands over the years, a couple quite recently. None sound all that great probably mostly due to bad eq on the amplification. However very sad news. Hofner guitars are part of my childhood. 

Edited December 17 by Cliff Edge