If you contact us asking to buy parts we will not supply them. In the same way that Mercedes would not be able to now supply parts for a car made in the 1950s neither can Höfner supply parts for a guitar made then.Īlso, please note, we do not supply parts direct from the workshops. Höfner, like all manufacturers, has changed suppliers over the years and we have also changed designs and fittings to suit new models. Many of the parts made were from local manufacturers many of whom have long since ceased trading. However some modern parts can fit vintage Höfner guitars and basses, but we do not guarantee this. We do not have vintage parts for vintage guitars. Please note that we no longer provide the identification service for old and vintage Höfner guitars and other instruments.
Some information about serial numbers is available - click here. The USA distributors in the 60s and 70s used their own serial number systems and we do not have information about these.
The exceptions are those guitars sold by Selmer in the UK which will (probably) have a number stamped into the back of the headstock and guitars sold by Van Wouw in the Netherlands. Most old Höfners do not have serial numbers. The rarer guitars from the 70s, 80s are harder to deal with as parts are now hard to find. Guitars/Basses from the 1960s are generally easier to restore as many parts are available either using new items or vintage items. However it can be a big project and you need to be patient, do research, talk to others and be prepared to modify parts if necessary. Restoring a vintage Höfner is possible and many people have achieved remarkable results from often battered old guitars.
Have you been to the Vintage Hofner website, run independently, from the UK? You should visit this website for a wealth of information about vintage Höfners. Vintage Guitar - Parts and Identification Help Yourself