Höfner Electric Guitars & Basses

Höfner specialist dealer: 

Guitars & Basses 

– 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 

Höfner 

Electric Guitars 

& Basses 

Chancellor 

Jazzica 

President 

Verythin 

Club Bass 

Violin Basses 


– since 1887 –

Karl Höfner, 

founder of the company 

President (1956) 

Committee (1959) 


– since 1887 – 

500/1 (1956) 

Golden Höfner (1960) 

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 hollowbody 

and bass guitars for new generations of players and collectors. 

Guitar production around 1965 

A major asset of Höfner is the large 

selection of naturally air-dried and 

seasoned tonewood. 

The traditional way of binding the body

Like the guitars they protect, Höfner’s 

hardshell cases are carefully crafted to 

ensure a snug fit and to minimize random 

movement. 

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. 

See page 14 for specifications. 

Chancellor with violin varnish 


– since 1887 – 

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 airdried 

and seasoned for many years, are selected. 

We use narrow-grained German spruce for the allsolid 

top and European flamed maple for the fullysolid 

back and sides. 

Each top and back is individually graduated and handcarved. 

Hand-carving a Chancellor top 

Chancellor with natural finish 

5

The Jazzica’s 24-fret neck is joined to the 

body at the 16 th 

fret, thereby easing access 

to the upper registers and encouraging 

new fingerboard explorations across two 

full octaves. 

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. 



– since 1887 – 

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. 

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. 

The traditional way of binding the body 

7

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. 


New President with 

violin varnish 

New President with natural finish 


– 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. 

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 uncompromising 

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. 

A President’s hand-carved neck 

Thin President 

9

Verythin Standard 

The current version updates the original 

1960 Höfner ”Verithin” design with 

contemporary features and resets 

the benchmark for ”Standard” semihollowbody 

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. 

Indeed: very thin! 

See page 14/15 for specifications. 

Verythin Standard 


– since 1887 – 

Mounting the hardware 

on a Verythin Classic 

Verythin Series 

Celebrated for its flexibility and broad tonal palette, Höfner’s versions of the semihollowbody 

– 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 handfitted 

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 

Traditional violin varnish 

of the Verythin JS 

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. 

Verythin JS with violin varnish Verythin Classic with natural finish 

11

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-toplay, 

light-weight Vintage ’63 is equally at 

home on stage or in the studio. 


Vintage ’62 LH 


– since 1887 – 

Vintage ’62 · Vintage ’63 

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 onepiece 

European maple neck, ebony fingerboard, goldplated 

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. 

The set-in neck of a Beatle Bass is 

hand-fitted to the body. 

Vintage ’63 5000/1 Deluxe 500/2 in black 

13

Top 

Back and Sides 

Neck 

Fretboard 

Inlays 

Scale 

Nut width 

Machine Heads 

Bridge 

Tailpiece 

Pickguard 

Pickups 

Electronics 

Hardware 

Colours 

Case (included) 

Chancellor Jazzica President Series V erythin Series Violin Basses Club Bass 

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 

Selected solid 

German spruce, 

hand-carved 

and graduated 


European flamed 

maple 


hard rock maple 

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 

Höfner 514/FN-G 

Floating 

humbucking neck 

pickup, adjustable 

1 Volume control, 

1 Tone control 

Gold-plated 

hardware 

Natural, 

Violin varnish 

Höfner 3052-17 

Deluxe wooden 

hardshell case, 

cream tweed 

covering 



hand-carved 

and graduated 

Selected 

flamed maple 

European 

hard rock maple 

Ebony, bound, 

24 frets 


block inlays 

Ebony, bound, 

22 frets 

Flamed maple Selected German spruce 

Selected 

German spruce 

2-piece maple Maple-beech-maple 

Flamed maple Selected European 

birds-eye maple 

Ebony, bound, 

22 frets 

Abalone 

double dots 


maple 

Rosewood, bound, 

22 frets 


dots 

~ 25 1 /4" (64.3 cm) ~ 25 ~ 30" (76 cm) 

~ 30" (76 cm) 

1 /4" (64.3 cm) 

~ 25 1 ~ 25 /4" (64.3 cm) 

1 /4" (64.3 cm) 

~ 1 3 /4" (44 mm) 


ebony buttons 



compensated 

B-string 


Ebony, 


Höfner 65/JC-E 


pickguard 


Floating 





Gold-plated 

hardware 

Natural 


Deluxe wooden 


cream tweed 

covering 



hand-carved 

and graduated 

European hard rock maple 



compensated 

B-string 

Höfner 65/NP-E 


pickguard with 

mounted volume 

and tone controls 


Floating 





Gold-plated 

hardware 

Natural, 

Violin varnish 


Deluxe wooden 


cream tweed 

covering 

Selected 

flamed maple 


block inlays 

~ 1 3 /4" (44 mm) 


ebony buttons 


Ebony, 


Selected 

German spruce 

Höfner 72/20-N 

Ebony bridge 

with movable 

metal saddles 

Höfner 65/TP-E 


pickguard 

Höfner 515/TB 

standard size 

humbucker 


1 Tone controls, 

Gold-plated 

hardware 

Selected 

German spruce 

Selected 

flamed maple 

European hard rock maple 

Ebony, bound, 

22 frets 


block inlays 

Schaller GTM 

(with Bigsby option: 

Schaller STM) 


Trapeze tailpiece, 

brass, 

Option: Bigsby 

Höfner 514/VC-B, 

Höfner 514/VC-N 

humbuckers 

2 Volume controls, 

2 tone controls, 

3-way toggle, 

'Clear Contour' 

tone control 

~ 1 3 /4" (44 mm) 

Schaller M6 

with tulip buttons 

Flamed maple 

Schaller GTM 

Schaller GTM 

Stop tailpiece 

Höfner 515/VS-B, 

Höfner 515/VS-N 

standard size 

humbuckers 

2 Volume controls, 

2 Tone controls, 

3-way pickup switch 

Violin varnish Natural, 

Natural, Transparent amber, 

Violin varnish Violin varnish Transparent cherry 

Höfner 3052N 

Deluxe wooden 


cream tweed 

covering 

Selected 

German spruce 

Selected 

flamed maple 

European hard rock 

maple 

Ebony, bound, 

22 frets 


block inlays 

~ 1 3 /4" (44 mm) 


ebony buttons 



compensated 

B-string 


Ebony, 


Höfner 65/JC-E 


pickguard 


Floating 





Gold-plated 

hardware 


Deluxe wooden 


cream tweed 

covering 

Option: 

Höfner 65/VC-C, 

Celluloid pickguard, 

black 

Gold-plated 

hardware 


Deluxe wooden 


cream tweed 

covering 

Rosewood, bound, 

22 frets 

Abalone dots 

Option: 

Höfner 65/VS-C 

Celluloid pickguard, 

black 

Nickel-plated 

hardware 

Selected European 

flamed maple 

Rosewood, 22 frets 

Höfner 61/74B 

(2 on a strip) 

Höfner 3059 

Vintage 60's style 

Mother-of-pearl dots 


(4 individual) 


Ebony bridge with movable metal saddles 

for perfect intonation and string spacing 

Höfner 62/30 

Trapeze tailpiece, brass 

Höfner 65/36-P 

Floating celluloid pickguard, pearl 

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 

Nickel-plated hardware 

Antique-brown sunburst 

Rosewood, 22 frets, 

Option: Ebony, fretless 

Höfner 259B 

Aluminum bullet case 

1-piece maple 



Höfner 65/36-B 

Floating celluloid 

pickguard, black 





movable saddles 

Höfner 62/30 

Trapeze tailpiece, 

brass 

Höfner 65/CB-P 

Floating celluloid 

pickguard, pearl 

2 Höfner 511B 

'Staple' 

humbuckers 

Höfner A2-B 

control panel 

Nickelplated 

hardware 

Natural Antiquebrown 

sunburst 

Maple-beech-maple 

~ 1 5 /8" (42 mm) ~ 1 5 /8" (42 mm) 

Gold-plated 

hardware 

Goldplated 

hardware 

Black 


Aluminum 

bullet case 

All specifications are subject to change without notice 

15

Höfner Electric Guitars & Basses

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