Violinmaker Karl Höfner in 1887 founded Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG in the city of Schönbach making violins, violas and cellos and became the largest manufacturer of stringed instruments in Germany. Sons Josef and Walter joined their father in the business around 1920. After WW2, the company left Schönbach which was now part of Czechoslovakia and settled in Möhrendorf in Bavaria and then from there built factories in Bubenreuth, West Germany.
Karl Höfner (1864-1955)
With the rise of rock and roll in the 50s and 60s, Höfner instruments, under Walter’s guidance, began to make guitars and bass guitars which were distributed throughout Europe by Selmer centered in London. As a result, young British musicians had abundant access to Höfner instruments as well as Framus, another instrument-maker out of Schönbach.
In 1956, Höfner released the 500/1 model electric bass guitar. It was designed by Walter and had a violin-shaped body.
1958 Höfner violin bass.
Although an unusual shape for a bass, to be sure, Höfner did not invent the design. The first violin-shaped bass guitar was issued in 1952 by Gibson called the EB-1. It was semi-hollow with a painted-on f-hole. It came with a long end peg that could be attached to the body so that it could be played upright. I doubt anybody ever used it that way, however. The EB-1 was discontinued within a short time but reissued in a modified form in the ‘70s when I played one. I found it perfectly functional with good tone and had nice balance but, again, they were discontinued.
Gibson EB-1.
Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s other violin-shaped bass guitars came on the market. Japanese manufacturer Aria issued one called the Diamond body.
Aria Diamond
Another Japanese manufacturer issued the Emperador E-302. They are semi-rare basses but those who own them tend to treasure them. They are, by all accounts, very good basses.
Red Emperador E-302
Sunburst Emperador.