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The Höfner company was founded by luthier Karl Höfner in the city of Schönbach in Germany in 1887, and soon became the largest manufacturer of string instruments in the country. His sons Josef and Walter joined the company around 1920, and began spreading the brand's reputation worldwide. The company suffered some upheavals during and after World War II, but survived and continued to thrive. The company built new factories in Bubenreuth in 1950.
The 500/1, an electrically amplified semi-acoustic bass, was invented by Walter Höfner in 1955; Paul McCartney bought his first Höfner bass in a shop in Hamburg in 1961. The instrument rose to fame as the band did.
In 1994, Höfner became part of the Boosey & Hawkes Group , and was able to expand and upgrade its facilities with the influx of cash. In 1997, the company moved from Bubenreuth to Hagenau.
After the musical divisions of Boosey & Hawkes were bought by UK investors (the Rutland Fund), a new parent company called The Music Group was formed. Höfner has been part of this conglomerate since 20032003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Summary Perhaps the defining global event of the year 2003 was the Invasion of Iraq launched by the U.