Höfner - - Electric bass guitar - Germany

Höfner Violin Bass “Kit” – West Germany – 1983–1988 – Rare Vintage Instrument
For sale is an exceptional Höfner Violin Bass from the so-called “Höfner Kit” series, produced in West Germany between 1983 and 1988.
The so-called Höfner Kits were instrument kits offered by Höfner for selected instrument models. Among them was also a kit version of the famous Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass. These kits were supplied without a finished paint job and could be individually designed and finished by the buyer.
A characteristic feature of these kit instruments is the bolt-on neck construction.
The classification of this instrument as a Höfner Kit is based on a professional assessment by Christoph Kellner of the trade magazine “Gitarre & Bass,” a recognized expert on historic guitars and basses.
The bass features a very striking and individual brown-gold glitter finish and a large pearloid pickguard with the Höfner script. The classic Höfner electronics include two pickups, controls, and the switches Treble, Bass, Rhythm and Solo.
The instrument bears the marking “Made in West Germany.”
Condition and technical inspection
Before sale, the bass was professionally serviced and technically inspected.
The electronics were opened, checked, and tested. The pickups, controls, and switches were checked for proper function.
The only technical issue known to me is that the hex socket of the truss rod adjustment nut is somewhat worn or rounded. This point is stated openly and transparently.
The detailed photos show the actual condition of the instrument as well as parts of the opened electronics and internal construction. They form part of the description and should be examined carefully for your own assessment.
Overall, the bass is in used vintage condition with age- and wear-related signs, scratches, wear, and patina.
A rare and unusual Höfner collector’s piece that clearly stands out from standard production models due to its kit-instrument history, its West German origin, and its individual glitter finish.
Manufacturer: Höfner
Type: Violin Bass / Höfner Kit
Version: in the style of the Höfner 500/1
Period: 1983–1988
Origin: West Germany
Construction: bolt-on neck
Strings: 4
Pickups: 2
Finish: individual brown-gold glitter finish
Condition: used / vintage / professionally technically inspected
A personal word about my instruments
With this instrument, I am beginning a new path in my auctions.
In the future, I intend to offer predominantly technically inspected instruments described to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Online purchasing can make it very hard to decide from photos alone whether an instrument is truly usable, playable, or technically problematic. Photos can show a lot, but they cannot show everything.
My goal is to build honest, transparent, and long-term trustworthy transactions, giving buyers the best possible basis for their decision.
At a time when, in my personal view, fundamental values such as honesty, responsibility, and reliability are sometimes lacking, I have decided to treat the sale of my instruments as a personal mission.
My guiding principle is:
“As precise as necessary, not as precise as possible.”
Not every instrument can or should be fully restored. The economic factor naturally also plays an important role. However, known defects should not be concealed.
My aim is to have every instrument inspected, described, and offered to the best of my knowledge and belief.
This also means that the price of an instrument may reflect the actual work that has been put into it.
Anyone who has contributed knowledge, experience, time, and craftsmanship to an instrument should be fairly compensated for that work.
Technical inspection, restoration, care, and an honest assessment of condition have real value. Therefore the prices of my inspected instruments may differ from unverified offers.
The buyer not only purchases an instrument but also benefits from the time invested, the technical inspection, and the most transparent possible description of its actual condition.
I am delighted to present the first instrument under this selling philosophy at auction.
I hope to build long-term trust in this way and to offer instruments that find their next owner with honesty, responsibility, and respect for the instrument itself.
Questions about your own instruments are also welcome
Owners of their own instruments are welcome to contact me if they would like a professional assessment of their instrument.
Based on photos and the available information, I attempt to classify and assess the instrument as carefully and honestly as possible.
This is, of course, not an official expert appraisal, but an assessment based on my best knowledge and belief.
For particularly unusual or hard-to-identify instruments, I also try, where possible, to involve exchange with experienced professionals.
Questions are always welcome and will be answered with great care and honesty.
Sold to the best of my knowledge and belief.
The photos show the actual instrument being offered.
Carefully packed and insured shipping.