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Paul McCartney paid tribute to Höfner on 18 December 2025, saying he was “very sad” to see the company go out of business and praising the light weight and tonal range of the bass he first bought in the 1960s. The message came amid reports of Höfner’s financial difficulties, but the company’s reported December 2025 statement said production and distribution would continue during its preliminary insolvency period.
What McCartney said about Höfner
In a message published on his official website on 18 December 2025, McCartney wrote: “It is very sad to see Höfner go out of business. They have been making instruments for over 100 years, and I bought my first Höfner bass in the sixties. I have loved it ever since. It’s a wonderful instrument to play: lightweight, and it encourages me to play quite freely. It also offers pleasing variations in tone that I enjoy. So, commiserations to everyone at Höfner, and thank you for all your help over the years – Paul.” Read McCartney’s tribute.
His praise was personal as well as musical: the bass’s lightness, freedom of movement and tonal variety are the qualities he singled out, alongside his long relationship with the maker. The “over 100 years” description is McCartney’s own wording in the tribute.
Why the Höfner Violin Bass became part of his identity
Höfner’s artist profile says McCartney began playing its Violin Bass in 1961, when he bought one while performing with the Beatles at Hamburg’s Top Ten Club. The profile says he still plays a 1963 model that he has owned from new. Höfner’s artist profile.
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The bass’s distinctive violin-like outline became closely associated with McCartney. Its symmetry also appealed to him as a left-handed player. In a 2024 Associated Press report about the recovery of his original instrument, McCartney said: “Because I was left-handed, it looked less daft because it was symmetrical.” The Associated Press report.
The recovered 1961 bass and the 1963 model are different instruments
McCartney’s original 1961 Höfner bass was stolen in 1972 and recovered and returned in 2024, according to the Associated Press. It should not be confused with the 1963 bass Höfner says he still plays. The tribute refers generally to his first Höfner bass; Höfner’s profile identifies the later model as his continuing instrument.
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What was reported about Höfner’s financial situation
Guitar World reported on 22 December 2025 that Höfner had said it filed for insolvency on 11 December. The statement, as reproduced by the publication, said: “We are not discontinuing production, distribution or our media channels.” The company described those operations as continuing during the preliminary period. Guitar World’s report.
That is a dated account of the company’s position in December 2025, not confirmation of its present status. The available statement does not establish whether Höfner’s financial or operating situation changed after that preliminary period.
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