The Höfner instrument making company was originally founded by Karl Höfner in 1887. Originally located in Schonbach (in the area now called Czechoslovakia), Hofner produced fine stringed instruments such as violins, cellos, and double basses. Karl's two sons, Josef and Walter, joined the company in 1919 and 1921 (respectively), and expanded Höfner's market to North American and the Far East. Production of guitars began in 1925, in the area that was to become East Germany during the "Cold War" era. Following World War II, the Hofner family moved to West Germany and established a new factory in Bubenreuth in 1948. By 1950, new production facilities in Bubenreuth and Hanenau were staffed by over 300 Höfner employees.
The first Höfner electric archtop debuted in the 1950s. While various guitar models were available in Germany since 1949 (and earlier, if you take in the over 100 years of company history), Höfners were not officially exported to England until Selmer of London took over distributorship in 1958. Furthermore, Selmer's British models were specified for the U.K. only - and differ from those available in the German market.
The concept of a violin-shaped bass was developed by Walter Höfner (Karl's son) in 1956. Walter's idea to electrically amplify a bass was new for the company, but the hollow body model itself was based on family design traditions. The 500/1. model made its debut at the Frankfurt Music Fair the same year. While most people may recognize that model as the Beatle Bass popularized by Paul McCartney, the Höfner company also produced a wide range of solid, semi-hollow, and archtop designs that were good quality instruments.
Until 1997, Höfner products were distributed by EMMC (Entertainment Music Marketing Corporation, which focused on distributing the 500/1 Reissue violin electric bass. In 1998, distribution for Höfner products in the U.S. market was changed to Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments, Inc. of Libertyville, Illinois. Boosey & Hawkes wasted no time in introducing three jazz-style semi-hollow guitar models, which includes a New President (Model HP-55) model guitar. Distribution was handled by the Music Group until 2005. In 2006, CMI (Classic Musical Instruments) took over distribution, (Höfner history source: Gordon Giltrap and Neville Marten, The Höfner Guitar - A History; and Tony Bacon, The Ultimate Guitar Book, Current Höfner product information courtesy Rob Olsen, Höfner).
Instruments currently produced from 1887-1949 in Schonbach, and 1950-present in Bubenreuth, and Hagenau, Germany. Distributed in the U.S. by CMI (Classic Musical Instruments) of Pleasant Prairie, WI.
