The Höfner instrument making company was originally founded by Karl Höfner in 1887. Originally located in Schonbach (in the area now called Czechoslovakia), Höfner 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 Höfner 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 Hofner 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. Mandolins first appeared in Höfner catalogs during the mid-1960s and were produced sporadically through the mid-1980s. Mandolins were often offered as "special order" or "made to order" so while Höfner mandolins were available, they were never built as a standard production instrument. Höfner still builds acoustic and electric guitars, but they have not offered a mandolin for several years.
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.
Mandolins previously produced between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s in Bubenreuth, and Hagenau, Germany. Acoustic and electric guitars are currently produced in Germany and overseas. Distributed by CMI (Classical Musical Instruments) in Pleasant Prairie, WI.
