Golden Age Guitar Player Magazine - For Those Who Are Beyond Vintage

When the retirement home will not allow your Marshall JTM45 in your room

By William S. Rivolta

"You are old, Father William," the young man said, "And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly play rock and roll, Do you think, at your age, it is right?" 

The Author

Well that’s how it all started and why I got stuck here in the Saint Keith Golden Years Home. 

"Sonny Boy" did not want his old man to live at his house any longer. His banshee wife Doris did not help things.  He said I play guitar too loud and wake up the kids. Doris said, I don't want that old man in my house. He is weird. Well I might be 83, but I still have my chops, and some degree of self worth. Plus it was my house at one time before they moved in.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster
Jam Band

So I am now sharing a double room with Fast Eddie Kaye. Eddie was once the bass player in The Flying Spaghetti Monster Blues Jam Band. Sadly in his later years he became delusional and swore that little men were living in a hollow tree in his yard, where they baked cookies, and wore strange clothing

Eventually Eddie lost his hearing (along with his marbles). His live-in girl, Shandra, left him years ago for a smarmy patchouli oil salesman. But Eddie can't remember any of this, as he is off with the faeries. Eddie does not mind loud music.

 

He doesn't care if I had my old Marshall JTM45 with the four twelve-speaker cabinet cranked it up to 10, but Saint Keith’s staff said "no, there is not enough room in your half of the room. And your playing bothers everyone in this place."

It is quite frustrating to say the least. 

I have my ’57 Les Paul Gold top, but the “Home” won’t let me have a decent amp in my half of the room to plug it into. They say it is because I play too loud, and the amp takes up too much room, so it is a fire hazard. Can you believe that?  Rock Music = Loud!

My Practice Amp

I mean how can I guy rock out with a tiny little practice amp? Come on! It just ain’t fair. 3 watts ain't Rock and Roll!

Well, I hear the aide is calling us for dinner. It’s probably pureed meatloaf and red Jello again. I guess I’ll wheel down the hall to the cafeteria. 

Where have all the Groupies Gone?

by Syd Hungerdunger

Typical Groupie

I remember those days when the ladies all thought I was cool, and they flocked around me. 

I was a rock star. And those girls were all tall and slender, with tight jeans, and hungry eyes.

Former Groupie

But now they have all become grannies wearing polyester pants, flowery blouses, and canvas shoes with Velcro clasps.  What happened? I guess Time! And time ain't on our side Mick!

The Author

I suppose I am no prize either. I can't walk anymore, and I have hair growing in strange places. But I still play guitar, and can rock with the best of them, as long as some young fellow wheels my chair out on to the stage and plugs my guitar into my amp. Where have all the groupies gone? They got old. So did I.

How To Transport Your Gear If You Use A Walker Or a Wheelchair.

by Antonio "Big Tony" Capicola

For those of us that have to use a wheelchair or a walker, transporting your gear can present a real challenge.

So do what the pro's do.  

Backline Rentals

If the gig pays a lot and you have a contract, in the rider, have the venue hire and pay a 'back line' company at their expense. These are companies that rent equipment, deliver it, and set it up. 

They also tear it down, and return it. If it breaks down they fix it. No worries my friend.

They do the work, you play the music, capeesh? You just bring your guitar or bass, and cables in a durable gig bag and let the venue foot the bill. 

Small Pedalboard

For smaller clubs or venues, pack your guitar and a small pedal board, with only two or three effects. If possible fit them in your guitar gig bag. Connect them to a Direct Box. Have the sound guy connect it to the mixing console. Un gioco da ragazzi, huh!  You can hear yourself in the stage monitor.

Joe Pass, Martin Taylor, Tim Stewart, Tom Scholtz, and others, all quit using amplifiers years ago. Scialla!!

When you have more invested in your guitar collection than your 401(k).

by Owen Cash

My Collection

At 81 years old I must have 30 guitars, but the nursing home won’t let me keep them here. These were all valuable American made guitars. 

Back in the day we didn’t have Squiers or Korean made Epiphones. Hell, the Epiphones of my day were all built in New York City, so were the  Guilds. 

In 1950 and '60, most Rockers would not be caught dead playing a made-in-Japan Teisco or Fujigen guitar. 

I own Gibsons, Guilds, and Fender guitars. Guys would come up to me after a gig and offer to sell me a guitar. I bought them. 

Rickenbacker 330-12

401(k)? All my working life I was self employed and never thought much about retiring and tax deferrals. Why invest in stocks and bonds when you can invest in a tangible Rickenbacker 12 string or a Fender Jazz Bass?

Start Jam Sessions in the Common Room at your Retirement  Facility.

by Jerry Attrick

Typical Nursing Home

You made it to 2026, but you are stuck in the home with a bunch of folks, who like you, would rather be at the homes they owned before their kids took possession, sold them, and put their parent's sorry keisters in the old folks home. At our age life is rough, so make the most of it. 

I betcha' there are other guys, and gals like you, who used to play live music rocking the crowd, and here they are living in the same facility as you.  Now you may have lost your ability to stand up and shake that booty, and make those "rock" poses, but you can still sit there and play your guitar, maybe even sing. 

Old Boys Band

My advice: Make friends, discover talent, commandeer the 'common room', and start holding a jam sessions. Life is short, so make the best of your situation and have some fun. Draw a crowd.

Power Chair Now Replaces Power Chords.

by Scooter Rounder

Hiking on the trail

You used to be able to walk. Heck, you walked everywhere. Sometimes it was for work, and sometimes it was for fun. You participated in Volksmarches, and hiked through the woods. You may have just walked to the bar and back. You may have even been into running for fun.

Playin' For The Crowd

And you walked out on stage and played your guitar for the crowd.   You knew all of those awesome, crunchy power chords to Smoke On The Water, Honky Tonk Woman, Highway To Hell, and you even owned an original green Tube Screamer pedal. You were the epitome of cool, and had all the right moves. 

Life was good, but then you got old, wobbly, and you now need a cane or a walker to haul your sorry butt around. I imagine you no longer even like to go outside.

I've fallen and I can't get up

Perhaps you have 'balance' issues and find it hard to even stand. You sure don't want to fall. Cement is very hard. At our age Hips seem to break quite easily. 

Manual Wheelchairs

Well cheer up Sparky! You now need a wheelchair. Certainly pushing the wheels around manually helps to maintain your upper body strength, but that can be difficult if you have an urgent need to get somewhere in a hurry (like to the toilet). 

You probably have Medicare, and if you are in a retirement facility, and have little or no income, you may even have Medicaid. 

Power Chair

If your doctor deems it "Medically Necessary" you could qualify for a powered wheelchair that you operate with a joystick. With Medicare you are responsible for 20% of the cost, and with Medicaid it might even be free. 

Rockin' in the Chair

The benefit of a power chair is that you can strap your guitar or bass gig bag on the chair's back handles. And you can also get your sorry keister outside on nice days and enjoy the weather. Happy travels! Take care of yourself!

Check out the videos below to see how other people cope. Enjoy your Golden Years my friends.

©UniqueGuitar Publications Parody Division (text only) 2026

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Happy New Year From The Unique Guitar Blog

 

Photo by Chip Wilson Nola

I wish all of you that have taken the time to read The Unique Guitar Blog a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May 2026 be Your year to be healthy, and shine.

 2025 was certainly an eventful year in the guitar industry.  Here are some trends that I have noticed in 2025.

1982 G&L S-100

Sadly G&L Guitars has shuttered its door.  

Now the Hofner Musical Instrument Company is having financial problems, and has filed for insolvency.

John Hornby Skewes - JHS

In the UK, music distributor John Hornby Skewes, better known as JHS is taking steps to close, or to find a buyer. This is Britain's largest music distributorship company. The founder, Mr. Skewes, passed away this past September. According to his wishes the company should be sold. JHS is the United Kingdom’s largest distributor of musical instruments with brands such as Danelectro, Godin, Donner, Shubb, Lava Music, Encore, Vintage, and Fret King. 

Cor-Tek Factory - Squier

Most guitar companies have embraced Far Eastern manufacturing using factories in  China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Unlike the cheap imports of the mid 1960’s, many of these factories have modern equipment and produce very nice, playable instruments. 

Cor-Tek Acoustic Builders
Indonesia

Most of the overseas manufactures are contracted by USA companies to build guitars, and basses based on the company's standards, but using labor paid at a much cheaper rate than what would be paid to an American worker. 

In reviewing example of these Pacific Rim factories, it is evident that Asian workers heavily monitored for their output, and quality of work. Look for most musical instruments to be manufactured in Asia.

2025 Guitar Tariffs

Tariffs are influencing guitar pricing in a big way due to the massive number of guitars imported into the United States. The Höfner Company cited this as one of the reasons for the company’s insolvency. 

Squier Debut Strat - Amazon

I have noticed that many guitar companies have increased their pricing structure to compensate for additional fees. As an example, in 2024 Amazon offered a Squier Debut Series guitar for $119. In late 2025 that same instrument is priced at $148. 

Guitar Hardware

Much guitar hardware is manufactured offshore including machine heads, tailpieces, nuts, and saddles. Even pickups are built overseas. These parts are subject to import tariffs, which are added to the consumer price. So even USA made instruments are affected by tariffs.

Gibson Les Pauls $3k to $4k

Most all prominent brands have reflected a pricing increase. Most major brands earn a hefty portion of their income from the sales of their budget line of overseas manufactured guitars, and basses. 

Few home players, or local giggers cannot afford $3000 to fork out for a new Gibson Les Paul, or $4500 for a Custom Shop Fender Strat or Tele. Subsequently the budget brands pose a much better option.

Britain WWII

As a counterpoint, I am reminded of the British embargo following WWII.  Back then the British Board of Trade controlled imports to try to improve the UK’s balance of payments. This is a politician’s term meaning the wealth of the country measured by comparing incoming and outgoing costs. 

At the time, the government’s main objective was to secure what they saw as necessary savings in the UK’s overseas spending, in order to reduce the growing pound/dollar deficit. 

The broader restrictions of the early ‘50s embargo applied primarily to food and drink imports, but also among the restricted manufactured goods were musical items, namely gramophone records (no CD's or digital downloads in 1945), harmonicas, accordions, and their parts, musical boxes and their movements, stringed instruments (including guitars), wind instruments (not including organs), and some organ parts. 

1960 UK Selmer Ad

Because of this embargo, most musical instruments, including guitars and amplifiers, sold in Britain were manufactured in Europe. This is why you see older pictures of 1960 British bands playing Futurama guitars, Framus guitars, and Höfner basses. That is what the players of that era could afford. 

1965 Marshall JTM45

On the plus side of the ledger this forced the British musical instrument industry to create such iconic brands as Marshall amplifiers, Vox amplifiers and Vox guitars, and Burn's guitars and basses. I hate the fact that the government is involved in controlling and taxing, but that is a reality we have to accept. I believe the industry will eventually work this out. 

Rest In Peace

We lost quite a few iconic musicians and guitar players in 2025: Ace Frehley,  Ozzy Osbourne, Brian Wilson, Steve Cropper, Chris Rea, Sly Stone,  Roberta Flack, Rick Derringer, David Johansen, and Marianne Faithful all passed away. There are certainly others as well. This is a list of my favorites that left recently.

I certainly hope 2026 will be a great year for all my readers. and may you all be healthy, and prosperous. 

And by all means, "Keep plunkin' your magic twanger!"

©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only) 2025

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Click on the links in the text for further reading.

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138 Year Old Firm, Höfner, The Iconic Manufacturer of The Beatle Bass Files For Insolvency

 

McCartney's 1964 auctioned Höfner

Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG, better known as the Hofner Company, has been manufacturing stringed musical instruments for over 100 years. The business was founded by Karl Höfner. 

Just a few days ago, on December 10th, this Bavarian company issued a statement that they were filing for insolvency with the Tenth District Bavarian court system.  Reports state,  “An insolvency administrator has been appointed, who will proceed to attempt to rectify debts over the next three months,”  

A representative from Hofner issued the following press release. 

Dear musicians, Höfner fans & friends, some of you may have already heard: our company has been going through a difficult period - especially since the introduction of the US tariffs - and filed for insolvency on Thursday, 11 December 2025. We would like to clarify a few things: We are not discontinuing production, distribution or our media channels. In Germany, there is a three-month period before the actual insolvency procedure is opened. This period offers the opportunity to consolidate the company and restructure it for a better future. Within this period, we will continue to build and sell our instruments and the Höfner team is doing its best to provide you with the support, service and warranties you expect. We would like to express our appreciation to all of you who continue to support us even in these difficult times! Thank You! 

Karl Höfner

Karl Höfner was originally apprenticed to Anton Schaller, who made violins, violas, cellos and double bass instruments. In 1887 Karl Höfner founded his workshop in Schönbach, own instruments and he established quite a reputation throughout Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and other European countries.



After the first World War his sons, Josef and Walter came into the family business and began the exporting of Höfner stringed instruments into new markets.

Walter, Wanda and Josef Höfner

It was not until the 1930’s that the company ventured into building guitars. The earliest models were steel stringed instrument and the majority of instruments were arched-topped. During these days the company employed around 30 craftsmen and approximately 300 home workers.

Collection of wood at Schönbach factory

During World War II, production was limited and Höfner was conscripted to make transport crates and shoe soles for the German army.




At the end of the war, the Czech and German speaking population of Schönbach were expropriated as the result of the company being recognized by the Czech state. This resulted in the acquisition of what was Höfner by the government.

Hofner Möhrendorf, Bavaria.

Due to the situation the Höfner family decided to apply for a leave and in 1948 they moved to Germany and started the the business from the ground up in Möhrendorf, Bavaria.

It was a struggle to resume the business since supplies were very scarce due to the war. But Walter and Josef Höfner began working on a way to build a new factory and also find houses in which their craftsmen could live.

Hofner Bubenrueth

After extensive negotiations with political leaders, in 1949 Höfner was able to relocate to the small village of Bubenreuth and begin violin making in this municipality and business was resumed by 1950.

It was during this era that many of the company’s best known guitars were created. These included The President, The Committee and the model 500/1 bass guitar.

Old Höfner Factory 

It was also during the 1950’s that Rock n’ Roll exploded on the scene. This unforeseen change caused guitar production to swell to 50% of Höfner’s overall business.

Nick Smith's Höfner Collection

In the 1950s and 1960s, Höfner instruments were distributed by Selmer of London. They were considerably more accessible to budding musicians than American-made guitars, which were expensive if obtainable at all, thus giving Höfners a place in history as the "starter" instruments of several well known 1960s musicians.

1963 Höfner model 172

By the 1960’s the demand in Europe for guitars was so strong that Höfner began looking for an alternative to body paint, because it took too long for the paint to dry. The solution (which thankfully did not last) was a shell of the body with printed vinyl.

Höfner built a further production site in Haguenau, in order to escape the room shortage in Bubenreuth although also the complex was expanded in Bubenreuth three times.

Macca with First Höfner Bass

It was in 1961 when Paul McCartney was living and working as a musician in Hamburg Germany. At the timee didn’t have a lot of money and was looking for a nice bass. The Höfner 500/1 was a great fit; he bought one.

Macca With 1962 Bass

In 1963 he was presented with another, that had a slightly different pickup configuration. This bass was manufactured in 1962. He had no idea that this would become his signature instrument and make Höfner a household word among musicians.

1962 Höfner/Selmer Ad

Later in 1961 import restrictions on goods imported from the USA were relaxed and American guitar manufacturers began to take hold in Britain and Europe. This did take away some business from Höfner. Another complicating factor was the proliferation of low priced Asian instruments into the music market.

Christian and Gerhilde Benker

Gerhilde Höfner Benker, Karl's granddaughter and her husband Christian Benker did their best to keep the company competitive.

However by 1991 Höfner was sold to the British company Boosey and Hawkes.

1967 Höfner Catalog

In their portfolio, there were already a number of musical instruments manufacturers including the bow manufacturer Paesold.  By 1995 the two companies merged under the Höfner name.

1956 500/1 Bass

In 1955, Walter Höfner designed an electrically amplified, semi-acoustic bass guitar. The hollow body made this style of guitar very light and easy to play, as well as giving it a rich tone, similar to that of the traditional double bass. The bass was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Music Fair in the spring of 1956.

1961 Höfner Bass

Sir Paul McCartney relates, "I remember going along to the shop in Hamburg, and there was this bass which was quite cheap. I couldn't afford a Fender. Fenders even then seemed to be about £100. All I could really afford was about £30 ... so for about £30 I found this Hofner violin bass. And to me it seemed like, because I was left-handed, it looked less daft because it was symmetrical. Didn't look as bad as a cutaway which was the wrong way. So I got into that."

McCartney had purchased his original 1961 model, and in 1963 the company gave him an updated 1962 model. Afterward, McCartney mainly played the 1962 model, leaving the original as a backup.

Let It Be with 1961 Hofner

It was in 1964, when he had his 1961 model refinished and had new pickups and an updated pickup surround system installed. He can be seen using this bass in the "Revolution" promo video, strangely with the strap attached to the top of the headstock instead of the neck heel strap button.

Let It Be with 1962 Hofner

Sometime during the recording of Let It Be several of the Beatles famous guitars were stolen from Abbey Road Studios. This included the 1961 Höfner 500/1model, George Harrison's Gretsch Tennessean and Harrison's second Rickenbacker 360-12.

Beatle's Rooftop Concert

McCartney used his 1962 model for the remainder of the album.

Sir Paul is still in possession of the 1962 bass as of 2014 and used it during the 2014 Grammy's Beatles Special TV performance as well as numerous other appearances.

The older model 500/1 Hofners have no binding on the neck as do most of the newer models.

Hofner Modern H500/1 Violin Bass

The modern H500/1, as it is currently know is the top of the line Violin Bass. It has a spruce top with flame maple back and sides. The plastic binding on the top and back are black/white/black, while the binding on the sides is white. The bass is hollow with no center block. It is constructed in three pieces. The headstock is the traditional Höfner design with a decal logo.

1962 Höfner 500/1 Bass

The 3 piece set in and bound neck is made of flame maple/beech/flame maple and joins the body at the 16th fret. It is 21 mm at the nut and widens to 24 mm at the 12th fret. All 500/1 basses come with a zero fret. This bass has a short 30"/76cm scale. The fret board is made of ebony and has white pearl dot inlays. There are dots on the side of the bound neck. There is a white heel cap.

The nickel tuners are made by Höfner and fitted with white buttons. The bass's trapeze tailpiece is also made of nickel. The single coil pickups are made by Höfner and are called staple pickups. The electronics panel are produced in house and the potentiometers have a golden colour. The cord jack is on the instruments side.

Höfner CT500/1 Bass

Höfner makes some variations on the H500/1. These include the CT bass, which is quite similar to the H500/1, but comes in sunburst or black. CT stands for Contemporary Series. Note the lack of binding on the neck. This product is made in China for Höfner, and is priced as their midrange instrument.

Höfner 500/1 Cavern Bass

The Cavern bass is a copy of McCartney’s original 1961 model. This bass comes with a neck pickup and a middle pickup, while the other 500/1 designs have a neck and bridge pickup. This bass has no binding on the neck and comes with an unusual headstock design.

Höfner 500/1 Mersey Bass

The Mersey model, named after the British town that was home to The Cavern Club where The Beatles and many other bands got their start. This mode has a lighter sunburst finish.

Höfner 500/1 Ignition Bass

The Ignition model , so called as this is the Bass Guitar that started it all. It comes with different pickups than the others. The finish on this model has a more pronounced red in the sunburst or it can be ordered with a black finish. This bass is a budget model originally made in China, but lately they are built in Vietnam. 

Höfner ECO Model 500/1

The unique ECO model has a body finished in and ivory colour. The wood materials are similar, but the neck is topped with a light blue fret board made of a composite material and has black dot position markers. The tuners on this bass are slightly different and are called Rugby Ball tuners. The electronics panel is black with gold knobs.

Höfner also continues to build several  models of the 500/2 bass, which is now known as The Club Bass. These basses have more of a traditional shape and a rounded cutaway on the body.

Höfner H500/2 Club Bass

Except for the body design, the specifications are similar to the H500/1 Violin bass.

Höfner Club Bass H500/2 in Different Colors and Styles

These basses are offered in several variation; The Höfner Club Bass, which has a traditional sunburst finish, the CT design, which has a black finish, the Höfner Club Bass Limited Edition, which has cream bindings and is finished with violin varnish, so it has a distinct brown colour. The pickups on this model are at the base of the neck and in the center position.  There is also a Höfner Ignition Club Bass with slightly different pickups.

Höfner HCT 500/5 President Model Bass Guitar

Stu Suttcliffe was The Beatles original bass guitarist. He played a 1960's Höfner HCT 500/5 President bass. Höfner no longer offers this model. $$$$The Höfner 500/5 bass was first produced in 1957 and continued until the early 1970s.

 
Sir Paul's 1964 Höfner 500/1, which was a gift from the company, was auctioned at Julien's in August of 2013 and the winning bid was $201,800.

This Höfner bass guitar was presented to McCartney in 1964 and was displayed at the London music trade show at the Russell Hotel. In mid-1965, it was then sold by a Bedfordshire music store to a young bassist. It eventually resurfaced years later in 1994 when it was purchased by an English guitar dealer, who, after extensive research, discovered that the bass was indeed the one bass made especially for McCartney in 1964.

1964 500/1

This is the same bass pictured above, but Sir Paul added a signed pickguard.

The guitar was taken to Höfner in Germany to verify its authenticity. This was confirmed by Christian Benker of Höfner Musikinstrumente. Additionally, Alby Paynter, who worked for Selmer and Co. in London between 1954 and 1967, also examined the guitar and confirmed this was the bass with which he was personally involved clearing through customs in 1964.

Additionally, Dave Wilkinson, another Selmer employee at the time, remembered the instrument being on show at its central London shop.

McCartney with 1962 Bass

McCartney himself discussed the guitar in an interview that appeared in the July 1967 issue of Beat Instrumental Monthly. McCartney was quoted as saying, “I have had a Hofner Violin bass ever since I started. I’ve got three or four models but the ancient one is still my favourite … 

The only difference in any of they can be seen on the one Selmers had made for me, that has gold pickups.”

Sir Paul McCartney issued the following statement, 

"It is very sad to see Höfner go out of business," he writes. "They have been making instruments for over 100 years, and I bought my first Höfner bass in the '60s. 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 variation in tone that I enjoy. So, commiserations to everyone at Höfner, and thank you for all your help over the years."

©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only) 2025

Click on the links beneath the pictures for sources.

Click on the links in the text for further information.

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This video is long, but it is fascinating to see a 500/1 bass being created.