Guitars & Ba sses
– since 1887 –
Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG
Egerlandstr. 38
91083 Baiersdorf-Hagenau
Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 9133-7758-0
Fax +49 (0 ) 9133-7758-58
hofner@hofner.com
www.hofner.com
Guitars & Ba sses
– since 1887 –
Höfner
Electric Guitars
& Basses
Chancellor
Jazzica
President
Verythin
Club Bass
Violin Basses
Höfner specialist dealer:
Master violin maker Karl Höfner founded his own stringed and fretted instrument
company in Schönbach, Germany in 1887. With a reputation for quality,
craftsmanship and innovation, Höfner soon became the largest manufacturer
of stringed and fretted instruments in Germany. Thus, in 1907 Karl Höfner was
entrusted with the repair of the King of Saxony’s violin, and the master performed
his job to the full satisfaction of his client.
When his two sons, Josef and Walter, joined their father's company in 1919
and 1921 respectively, acoustic guitars already represented a significant part
of Höfner’s instrument production. In a market dominated by inexpensive
student guitars during the 1920s and 1930s, Höfner guitars were already
establishing new standards and the company capitalized on that leadership
during the decades that followed.
The product range of Höfner is extensive and not only limited to string instruments
and acoustic guitars. Höfner has built excellent electric guitars since the 1950’s.
Höfner hollowbodies graced the clubs and concert halls of Europe’s post-war
jazz scene, and Höfner solidbodies and basses were among the instruments
that ignited the musical imaginations of many who would later launch the
”British Invasion.”
In 1955 Walter Höfner, a creative businessman as well as a violin and guitar
maker, invented an electrically amplified semi-acoustic bass. The distinctive
500/1 bass was launched at the 1956 Frankfurt Music Fair and subsequently
rose to fame under a different name. In 1961 Paul McCartney bought his first
Höfner bass in a music shop in Hamburg. Paul’s ‘Beatle Bass’ can be heard
on many of the Beatles‘ most famous songs and still accompanies him on
stage and in the studio to this day.
A new chapter in Höfner history began in 1997 when the company moved to
a new production facility near the village of Hagenau. Millions of Euros have
since been invested in state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly production
technologies. Today, Höfner continues to build fine quality, hand-crafted hollow-
body and bass guitars for new generations of players and collectors.
Guitars & Basses
– since 1887 –
Karl Höfner,
founder of the company
A major asset of Höfner is the large
selection of naturally air-dried and
seasoned tonewood.
The traditional way of binding the body
Guitar production around 1965
500/1 (1956)
Golden Höfner (1960)
Committee (1959)
President (1956)
The free-floating Höfner
jazz guitar pick-up is
attached to the end of the
fingerboard, thus enabling
the guitar top to resonate
freely all the way up to the
neck joint. The pick-up is
mounted in a special
surround which offers
height adjustment for the
pick-up as a whole and,
thanks to the individual
pole-pieces, separate
volume adjustment for
each string.
Chancellor
The Chancellor is the new flagship of Höfner’s jazz guitar
range. Our Master luthiers have put all their years of
experience and craftsmanship into creating this gem. With
its 17“ body width the Chancellor carries on where the
legendary ‘Golden Höfner’ of the 60s left off. Furthermore,
thanks to its sophisticated construction, it meets all the
demands of today’s professional guitarists – and yet
remains timeless.
Only the finest tonewoods, which are naturally air-
dried and seasoned for many years, are selected.
We use narrow-grained German spruce for the all-
solid top and European flamed maple for the fully-
solid back and sides.
Each top and back is individually graduated and hand-
carved.
Guitars & Basses
– since 1887 –
5
Hand-carving a Chancellor top
Durable yet light in weight, Höfner’s
hardshell cases are rigidly constructed with
five layers of wood and provide a secure
yet very portable environment for storing
your guitar.
Chancellor with natural finish
Chancellor with violin varnish
See page 14 for specifications.
Like the guitars they protect, Höfner’s
hardshell cases are carefully crafted to
ensure a snug fit and to minimize random
movement.
Every Höfner Jazzica
Custom includes a set of
ebony soundhole plugs
which are simply inserted
into the sound hole
openings to reduce the
potential for feedback at
higher volume levels.
Use of the soundhole
plugs will dampen the
instrument’s acoustic
output but will enable the
player to increase amplifier
volume with less risk of
feedback.
Guitars & Basses
– since 1887 –
Jazzica Custom
As the most innovative of Höfner’s hand-made hollow-body
guitars, the Jazzica Custom seamlessly blends old-world
craftsmanship with contemporary features.
For example, the ’Contour’ body design draws guitarist
and instrument closer together, enabling one to seem like
a natural extension of the other without compromising
structural integrity or tone. And, as Germany’s largest
maker of guitars and violins, we freely apply our
expertise across the Höfner family of instruments.
That’s why the Jazzica’s solid German spruce top
is hand-carved and graduated, similar to a traditional
violin. That’s also why the Jazzica’s top is braced
with a bass bar – again, like a violin.
Quality without compromise – Höfner’s Jazzica Custom
is a masterpiece of meticulous craftsmanship that
redefines the expectations of what a hand-made archtop
guitar should be.
7
The Jazzica’s 24-fret neck is joined to the
body at the 16th fret, thereby easing access
to the upper registers and encouraging
new fingerboard explorations across two
full octaves.
The traditional way of binding the body
Fret work on an
archtop guitar’s neck.
The Jazzica Custom exemplifies beauty
that is functional as well as cosmetic.
For example, separate ebony tone and
volume controls and a streamlined ebony
pickguard. What´s more, the floating pickup
attached to the base of the neck preserves
its solid German spruce top acoustic
integrity and maximizes its resonance.
See page 14 for specifications.
President Series
Höfner’s President Series establishes the current models as worthy
successors to their legendary namesake which, as celebrated
examples of premium European archtops, are owned by
renowned and influential jazz guitarists.
While many design elements of Höfner’s President Series
have a traditional flair, special features – such as the 16
th
fret neck-to-body joint – distinguish them from ordinary jazz
guitars.
Thin President
Höfner’s hand-crafted excellence and uncompro-
mising flexibility invigorate the familiar platform of
the Thin President. A sustain block inside the body
made of a solid piece of high quality timber is hand
fitted to both the German spruce top and the flamed
maple back. The master volume and tone controls
for the Höfner standard size humbucking neck pickup
are tastefully covered by solid ebony knobs.
Guitars & Basses
– since 1887 –
The Thin President’s bridge
produces the warm tone
typical of ebony and resets
the standard for balance,
accuracy and intonation on
an archtop guitar. The saddles,
made from high-grade fret
wire, may be moved to
intonate your choice of string
type or gauge and adjust
the string spacing
with pinpoint
precision.
9
A President’s hand-carved neck
Thin President
New President with natural finish
New President
The New President represents the pinnacle
of the guitar maker’s art. Exquisite woods
– from the hand-carved, solid German
spruce to the flamed maple back and
sides – exude an aura of stunning physical
beauty. Gold-plated hardware, ebony trim
and mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlays add
just the right touch to the New President’s
tasteful elegance.
The New President exemplifies beauty that
is functional as well as cosmetic. For
example, separate tone and volume
controls are mounted discreetly on the
New President’s streamlined ebony
pickguard. And, as with the floating pickup
attached to the base of the neck, the lack
of milling holes in the solid German spruce
top preserves its acoustic integrity and
maximizes its resonance.
See page 14 for specifications.
New President with
violin varnish
Mounting the hardware
on a Verythin Classic
Guitars & Basses
– since 1887 –
Verythin Series
Celebrated for its flexibility and broad tonal palette, Höfner’s versions of the semi-
hollowbody – the Verythin Standard, Classic and JS – can portray the subdued
warmth of a full hollowbody, the bright and primary hues of a solidbody, or just
about any shade of tone in between.
The Höfner Verythin Series has a much smaller, thinner body profile than conventional
semi-hollowbody guitars. In addition, every Verythin employs a hand-
fitted solid spruce sustain block that does not use tone bars. These
features reduce the potential for feedback, accentuate the tonal
punch and attack and preserve the guitar’s acoustic qualities.
Verythin Classic
From the introspective lament of a jazz lick to the aggressive fire
of a rock riff, Höfner’s Verythin Classic is at home in just about
any musical milieu. Its German spruce top and flamed maple
back and sides provide a regal backdrop for the Classic’s
elegant inlays and gold-plated appointments.
With the roll of a knob, the unique ’Clear Contour’ electronic
circuitry of the Verythin Classic can simulate the sound of
near-silent single-coil or humbucking pickups. This simplicity
of operation frees the guitarist to concentrate on the performance
rather than risk distraction from awkward switches or gimmicks.
11
Traditional violin varnish
of the Verythin JS
Verythin Standard
The current version updates the original
1960 Höfner ”Verithin” design with
contemporary features and resets
the benchmark for ”Standard” semi-
hollowbody guitars. A super slender
body crafted from highly-flamed maple
makes the Verythin Standard beautiful
to behold.
Verythin JS
The Verythin ”John Stowell” Signature
model is based on the Verythin Classic
and comes with the noble ebony and
gold hardware of the Höfner Jazzica
Custom. Its breathtaking optional
Vintage finish, French-polished to a
perfect glaze, is a rare offering even
on custom instruments costing many
times as much.
See page 14/15 for specifications.
Verythin Standard
Verythin JS with violin varnish
Verythin Classic with natural finish
Indeed: very thin!
Vintage ’62 · Vintage ’63
Guitars & Basses
– since 1887 –
A legend was born
In 1956, Walter Höfner had an idea for an amplified semi-acoustic bass.
When it was brought to life, his idea revolutionized popular music. Many
players revere Höfner’s Violin Bass as a legend because of its historical
significance and its warm, woody,
double-bass-like amplified tone.
The Höfner Violin Bass is a unique instrument with a smooth, sweet
sound and a playing ease that simply eludes most ordinary basses.
5000/1 Deluxe
A distinct departure from the other Violin Basses, the 5000/1
Deluxe is a thoroughly exclusive instrument with a one-
piece European maple neck, ebony fingerboard, gold-
plated hardware, and diamond-shaped mother-of-pearl
headstock inlays.
500/2 Club Bass
With originals scarce and expensive, popular
demand compelled Höfner to recreate the Club
Bass 500/2. The new Club Bass borrows the feel,
the tone, and many features from the Vintage’63 and
combines them with a single-cutaway profile.
13
The set-in neck of a Beatle Bass is
hand-fitted to the body.
Vintage ’62
Based on the 1962 model Paul McCartney
still uses today, the Vintage ’62 has delighted
Höfner aficionados by replicating details
of the original. For example, the ’strip’
machine heads, the slot-head screws on
the hardware, and the two-piece neck are
authentic touches that connect this
instrument to an earlier time.
In the Vintage ’62, Höfner has created a
replica of Paul’s bass historically accurate
enough to satisfy even the most demanding
Beatles fan.
Vintage ’63
Named for the year the most familiar version
of the Violin Bass was popularized, the
Vintage ’63 captures its characteristic
tone – deep, warm and reminiscent of a
full-size string bass. Built to be as durable
as its legacy, the compact-sized, easy-to-
play, light-weight Vintage ’63 is equally at
home on stage or in the studio.
See page 15 for specifications.
Vintage ’62 LH
Vintage ’63
5000/1 Deluxe
500/2 in black
15
Chancellor Jazzica New Thin Verythin Verythin Verythin 500/1 500/1 5000/1 500/2
Custom President President JS Classic Standard Vintage ´62 Vintage ´63 Deluxe Club Bass
Top
Back and Sides
Neck
Fretboard
Inlays
Nut width
Machine Heads
Bridge
Tailpiece
Pickguard
Pickups
Electronics
Hardware
Colours
Case (included)
Scale
All specifications are subject to change without notice
Flamed maple Selected
German spruce
Flamed maple
Selected European
birds-eye maple
European flamed
maple
European
hard rock maple
2-piece maple Maple-beech-maple
Ebony, bound,
22 frets
Ebony, bound,
22 frets
Rosewood, bound,
22 frets
Abalone
double dots
Mother-of-pearl
dots
~ 25
1
/4" (64.3 cm) ~ 30" (76 cm)
~ 1
3
/4" (44 mm)
Schaller M6
with tulip buttons
Höfner 61/74B
(2 on a strip)
Höfner 61/73B
(4 individual)
Höfner 61/73B
(4 individual)
Höfner 61/73B
(4 individual)
Höfner 72/20-N
Ebony bridge
with movable
metal saddles
Schaller GTMSchaller GTM
(with Bigsby option:
Schaller STM)
Höfner 72/20B
Ebony bridge with
movable saddles
Schaller GTM
Stop tailpiece
Höfner 62/30
Trapeze tailpiece,
brass
Höfner 65/NP-E
Floating ebony
pickguard with
mounted volume
and tone controls
Höfner 65/TP-E
Floating ebony
pickguard
Höfner 65/36-B
Floating celluloid
pickguard, black
Höfner 65/CB-P
Floating celluloid
pickguard, pearl
Höfner 515/TB
standard size
humbucker
Höfner 515/VS-B,
Höfner 515/VS-N
standard size
humbuckers
Höfner 514/VC-B,
Höfner 514/VC-N
humbuckers
2 Höfner 511B
'Staple'
humbuckers
1 Volume control,
1 Tone controls,
2 Volume controls,
2 Tone controls,
3-way pickup switch
2 Volume controls,
2 tone controls,
3-way toggle,
'Clear Contour'
tone control
Höfner A2-B
control panel
Nickelplated
hardware
Violin varnish
Transparent amber,
Transparent cherry
Natural,
Violin varnish
Natural Antique-
brown
sunburst
Höfner 259/2B
Aluminum
bullet case
2 Höfner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups
Höfner A2-B control panel
with 2 volume controls,
2 on/off switches,
rhythm/solo switch for volume boost
Höfner 3059
Vintage 60's style
Höfner 259B
Aluminum bullet case
Nickel-plated hardware
Antique-brown sunburst
Höfner 62/30
Trapeze tailpiece, brass
Höfner 65/36-P
Floating celluloid pickguard, pearl
Selected German spruce
Selected European
flamed maple
Mother-of-pearl dots
Höfner 72/20B
Ebony bridge with movable metal saddles
for perfect intonation and string spacing
Rosewood, 22 frets
~ 30" (76 cm)
Ebony, bound,
22 frets
Mother-of-pearl
block inlays
Höfner 62/10-G
Trapeze tailpiece,
brass,
Option: Bigsby
Selected solid
German spruce,
hand-carved
and graduated
European hard rock maple
Selected
German spruce
European hard rock maple
Selected
flamed maple
~ 25
1
/4" (64.3 cm)
Selected
flamed maple
Höfner 3052-16
Deluxe wooden
hardshell case,
cream tweed
covering
~ 25 1/4" (64.3 cm)
~ 1
3
/4" (44 mm)
Flamed maple
~ 1 3/4" (44 mm)
Maple-beech-maple1-piece maple
~ 1 5/8" (42 mm) ~ 1 5/8" (42 mm)
Selected solid
German spruce,
hand-carved
and graduated
Ebony, bound,
22 frets
Mother-of-pearl
block inlays
~ 25
1
/4" (64.3 cm)
~ 1
3
/4" (44 mm)
Schaller M6 with
ebony buttons
Höfner 72/22-G
Ebony bridge with
compensated
B-string
Höfner 62/EB-G
Ebony,
brass reinforced
Höfner 65/C-E
Floating ebony
pickguard
1 Volume control,
1 Tone control
Gold-plated
hardware
Selected solid
European flamed
maple
Höfner 514/FN-G
Floating
humbucking neck
pickup, adjustable
Höfner 3052-17
Deluxe wooden
hardshell case,
cream tweed
covering
Natural,
Violin varnish
Ebony, bound,
22 frets
Mother-of-pearl
block inlays
Selected
German spruce
Selected
flamed maple
~ 25
1
/4" (64.3 cm)
~ 1
3
/4" (44 mm)
European hard rock
maple
Höfner 65/JC-E
Floating ebony
pickguard
Höfner 514/FN-G
Floating
humbucking neck
pickup, adjustable
Höfner 3052N
Deluxe wooden
hardshell case,
cream tweed
covering
Rosewood, 22 frets,
Option: Ebony, fretless
Goldplated
hardware
Black
European flamed
hard rock maple
Ebony, bound,
24 frets
Mother-of-pearl
block inlays
Schaller M6 with
ebony buttons
Höfner 72/22-G
Ebony bridge with
compensated
B-string
Höfner 62/EB-G
Ebony,
brass reinforced
Höfner 65/JC-E
Floating ebony
pickguard
Höfner 514/FN-G
Floating
humbucking neck
pickup, adjustable
1 Volume control,
1 Tone control
Gold-plated
hardware
Natural
Höfner 3052-16
Deluxe wooden
hardshell case,
cream tweed
covering
Selected
flamed maple
Mother-of-pearl
block inlays
Schaller M6 with
ebony buttons
Höfner 72/22-G
Ebony bridge with
compensated
B-string
Höfner 62/EB-G
Ebony,
brass reinforced
Höfner 514/FN-G
Floating
humbucking neck
pickup, adjustable
1 Volume control,
1 Tone control
Gold-plated
hardware
Natural,
Violin varnish
Schaller M6 with
ebony buttons
Höfner 72/22-G
Ebony bridge with
compensated
B-string
Höfner 62/EB-G
Ebony,
brass reinforced
Gold-plated
hardware
Gold-plated
hardware
Natural,
Violin varnish
1 Volume control,
1 Tone control
Gold-plated
hardware
Nickel-plated
hardware
Höfner 3052N
Deluxe wooden
hardshell case,
cream tweed
covering
Abalone dots
Rosewood, bound,
22 frets
Gold-plated
hardware
Selected solid
German spruce,
hand-carved
and graduated
Option:
Höfner 65/VS-C
Celluloid pickguard,
black
Option:
Höfner 65/VC-C,
Celluloid pickguard,
black
C
hancellorJazzica
P
resident Series
V
erythin Series
V
iolin Basses
C
lub Bass
Höfner 3052N
Deluxe wooden
hardshell case,
cream tweed
covering
Selected
German spruce
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