• Höfner (Karl Höfner GmbH & Co) entered provisional insolvency in Germany on 10 December 2025.
• A court-appointed insolvency administrator will manage affairs and has three months to seek solutions.
• The company is best known for the 500/1 “Violin Bass” made famous by Paul McCartney.
• Few details have been released; Höfner has been contacted for comment.
H2: Höfner enters provisional insolvency
German court records show that Karl Höfner GmbH & Co was placed into provisional insolvency administration on 10 December 2025. The filing in the Fürth District Court in Bavaria names an insolvency administrator who will oversee the company’s affairs and attempt to resolve outstanding debts over the next three months.
Few additional details about the insolvency have been made public. Höfner has been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting.
H2: What the filing means
Provisional insolvency administration is a legal process that gives an appointed administrator control of a company’s finances and operations while options are explored. During this period the administrator will assess assets, liabilities and possible rescue or restructuring measures. If a viable path is found, the company may emerge reorganised; otherwise, liquidation becomes possible.
H3: Immediate outlook
The administrator’s initial mandate typically focuses on stabilising cash flow, securing inventory and negotiating with creditors. For customers and dealers, this phase can bring uncertainty about orders, warranties and spare parts availability. Höfner’s dealer partners and customers will be watching for further announcements over the coming weeks.
H2: A brief history of Höfner
Höfner was founded in 1887 by Karl Höfner in Schönbach (now Luby in the Czech Republic). The firm became a major supplier of stringed instruments in the region before relocating to West Germany after World War II. In 1950 Höfner opened a new factory in Bubenreuth and expanded through the mid-20th century.
The brand changed ownership several times: it joined Boosey & Hawkes in 1994, moved again in a 2003 sale of Boosey’s instrument division, and in December 2004 was bought by long-time general manager Klaus Schöller and finance director Ulrike Schrimpff.
H2: The Violin Bass and Paul McCartney
Höfner’s 500/1 Violin Bass is the instrument most associated with the company. Paul McCartney famously used the Violin Bass throughout the Beatles era, making the model one of the most recognisable electric basses in music history. The 500/1 has also been used by other notable players and remains a flagship product for the brand.
H3: Cultural footnote
McCartney’s original 500/1 – stolen in 1972 and recovered decades later in a Suffolk attic – helped cement the bass’s legendary status.
H2: Next steps and what to watch
The appointed insolvency administrator will publish updates as they progress. Watch for announcements from the Fürth court, official statements from Höfner, and communications to dealers and customers. This story may affect product availability and service for Höfner instruments worldwide.
Image Referance: https://guitar.com/news/industry-news/hofner-files-for-bankruptcy/
