RESTORED KARL HOFNER 3/4 TRADE VIOLIN MADE IN BUBENREUTH GERMANY WITH SOFT CASE, BOW & SHOULDER REST

RESTORED VINTAGE KARL HOFNER 3/4 TRADE VIOLIN MADE IN BUBENREUTH GERMANY WITH SOFT CASE, BOW & SHOULDER REST - 1967 

You are invited to purchase a superb vintage handcrafted 3/4 trade violin labeled Karl Hofner, Bubenreuth, Germany from the year 1967.  This instrument has been fully repaired, updated and fully restored to playability.  Included with the violin is a nice used modern-style soft carrying case, a nice used bow and a very nice used Muco shoulder rest.  

This is an exceptionally well made 3/4 size violin - constructed of quality materials with close attention to details that exceeds the general specifications of most mass produced student violins on the market today (see below for details).  Its slightly reduced overall size as compared to a full size 4/4 violin would be ideal for a young student violin player or a petite sized adult student or intermediate violinist who is in need of a better quality violin with which to develop his or her musical talents.    

We have completed a series of relatively minor repairs and restorative actions associated with this violin as detailed below.  The violin has also been upgraded and modernized with new synthetic core metal strings, new Ebony endpin, and a new tailpiece with built-in tuners making it ready to be played and enjoyed by its new owner.  The new tailpiece with built-in tuners for all four strings will be especially helpful to keep the violin in perfect tune.

VIOLIN INTERNAL LABEL & REPAIR LABEL:  

This violin bears the following pasted-in label found under the left f-hole (see composite image):

"KARL HOFNER  

BUBENEUTH 1967 

GERMANY"

Note:  The label also bears the Hofner firm logo on the right side of the label.  The logo consists of a doubly scribed circle inside of which is a central cross at the top and the initials "KH" below it.  
Additional Note:  For a brief history of Karl Hofner, violin maker, and the Hofner Company of Germany please see below.

In addition, this violin bears a repair label and serial number from our workshop found inside the violin also under the left f-hole (See accompanying composite image):

"THE OLDE VIOLIN SHOPPE   

HAMILTON, MONTANA USA   

REPAIRED/RESTORED VIOLIN ANNO 2026                 

SN-07092026"

VIOLIN ORIGIN & ESTIMATED DATE OF MANUFACTURE: 

This violin was manufactured in the Bavarian town of Bubenreuth in West Germany, which was the location of the Hofner firm for the manufacture of violins and bows and other string instruments following WW-II. 

 
Note:  Please see below for a history of Karl Hofner, violin maker, and the Hofner Company.

As indicated on the label found inside this violin, this violin was manufactured in the year 1967.

IMAGES:  

Several images of the restored violin are included with this listing.  Click on the images for a larger view.

KEY PHYSICAL FEATURES: 

* A warm, attractive reddish brown spirit varnish over a golden ground. 
* Very attractive two-piece Tiger Maple back with ribs of Maple to match the back (See images). 
* Two piece Spruce top with a wider grain pattern at the edges with a tighter grain pattern towards the central seam.  
* Top plate has a moderate arch.
*  The violin interior features the expert blocking of all 4 corners, a smoothly carved top plate interior and the installation of a properly sized and located glued-in bass bar - all signs of a very well made trade violin in harmony with the well known reputation of high quality instruments produced in Germany by the Karl Hofner Company.   As such, this Hofner violin appears to be one of their hand crafted "Master Violins."

MEASUREMENTS: 

* Length Overall (Loa): 22" 

* Length of the body (LoB): 13 1/8" 

* Rib Height: 1 1/8" 

* Max Width of Upper Bout: 6" 

* Avg. Width at Waist or C-Bout: 4" 

* Max. Width of Lower Bout: 7 1/4"

NATURE OF REPAIRS & RESTORATION: 

This antique violin was received by us in overall apparently good structural condition and fair to good cosmetic condition.   There were no cracks present in the plates.  However, the existing fingerboard was in need of reconditioning to remove some grooves and surface imperfections.  The violin was also in need of a set of replacement strings and a new tailpiece, as well as, a good cleaning and polish to restore its original finish.

We used a LED inspection light to view the violin interior.  We discovered that all 4 corners were very neatly blocked by the maker and that the inside of the top plate was very smoothly carved.  In addition, we found that the bass bar was properly sized, located and glued into the underside of the top plate.  These internal features were excellent indications of a very well made trade violin by the very skilled workers at the Hofner Company.  

Following is a summary of the actions taken by us to repair and restore this violin to full playability: 

1.  The surface of the original Ebony fingerboard was scraped and sanded smooth.  The existing Ebony nut was retained.   
2.  At this time, the exterior surfaces of both the top and bottom plates as well as the ribs and scroll box were wet sanded with successive grades of sandpaper (600 followed by 1,000 git) thereby removing most age related surface imperfections.  The surfaces were then cleaned with denatured Alcohol.  A coating of French Polish was then added to all exterior surfaces of the violin as a final cosmetic treatment.  
3.  At this time we added a new Ebony endpin onto the violin.  In addition, we reconditioned the original Ebony Chinrest and installed it on the violin.
4.  We replaced the original tailpiece with a new tailpiece that included fine tuners for all 4 strings.
5.  Finally, we completed the setup of the violin by properly fitting the original Despiau Maple bridge and installing a new set of synthetic core metal strings.

All of the aforementioned repairs have resulted in a completely restored and upgraded Hofner trade violin. This violin as a very pleasing warm tone and a good  projection of sound for its size.  Thus, this vintage instrument that could have easily been lost to time has been fully repaired, improved and reborn to live a second life in the present.

VIOLIN CASE, BOW & SHOULDER REST: 

Included with the restored Hofner trade violin is a very nice used oblong black cloth covered internally foam formed carrying case with side carrying handle and dual zipper closure.  Also included inside the case are dual racks for bows and a hinged pocket for accessories along with a formed niche for a shoulder rest. In addition, there is a zippered pocket on the top of the case for carrying sheet music. The case measures 30 inches long by 10 inches wide and 5 inches deep (See images of this case). This case is suitable for safe shipping of the violin to its new owner and for ongoing use by the new owner for both storing and transporting the violin after it is received. 

Also included with the violin and case, is a nice used bow (unmarked) in very good playable condition and a used Muco Model SR-3 Shoulder Rest (Made in Taiwan).  

ABOUT KARL HOFNER, VIOLIN MAKER, & THE HOFNER COMPANY:

Karl Hofner (1864-1955) was trained as a violin maker under the tutorship of Anton Schaller from 1879 to 1882 and later under Heinrich Theodor Heberlein.  At the early age of 23, Hofner established his own string instrument workshop in 1887 in Schonbach, which was then the European center of stringed instrument making.  He specialized in making violins, violas, and cellos according to longstanding Bohemian traditions. 

Hofner's reputation grew and so did his business as he sold instruments of the finest quality throughout Germany,  Austria-Hungary, Russia and other European countries.  Karl brought his two sons, Josef and Walter, into his business just after the First World War and they quickly began to expand the business, particularly into export markets.  Thus, Hofner's reputation expanded into a world-wide manufacturer of quality stringed instruments.   During the late 1920s and early 1930s the company began the production of guitars.  By the mid 1930s the company employed around 300 independent cottage industry workers from the Schonbach area along with 30 permanent staff in the factory. 

  
The Second World War significantly restricted Hofner's ability to export its goods and the company found itself producing wood based items for the German Army, such as wood crates and soles for combat boots.   After the war, Hofner was forced to relocate his business to Bavaria West Germany initially to Mohrendorf in 1948 and then to Bubenreuth in 1950 when a new factory facility was opened there. 

 
The 1950s saw the company rebuild its reputation and to again export stringed instruments across the world as they built relationships with distributors in all major countries.  As music tastes began to change, the production of guitars increased.   

  
The company produced violins of various grades, ranging from hand-made "Master Violins" to machine-prepared "Orchestra" and "Concert" instruments.  All were reasonably accurate facsimiles of Stradivari and other classical models.  The company also produced bows of equivalent grades.  An auction record for one of Hofner's violins is $3,510 for an instrument that sold at auction in May of 2008.