Hopf Electric Guitars Where Heritage Evolves
Some instruments carry more than sound. They carry time, craft, and the hands that shape them.
For over 350 years, Hopf has stood for character, innovation and excellence in German instrument making. This legacy does not stand still — it evolves.
Through the work of the finest masterbuilders of their craft, Hopf Electric Guitars brings this heritage into the present.
Each instrument is created in small numbers, with uncompromising attention to detail, where traditional craftsmanship meets progressive thinking.
Guided by a clear vision, we build instruments that bridge past and future — where heritage becomes something you can play.
From echoes of the past to riffs for the future...
Guitars
The Original Makers of Sound
1669
Hopf appeared for the first time in instrument making.
Caspar (1655-1716), Klingenthal, Germany
The company's history dates back to the 17th century. The ancestors of the founders were violin makers and lived in the Klingenthal/Markneukirchen area (East Germany). In 1669, the name Hopf appeared for the first time in instrument making. The first verifiable violin maker of the Hopf family was Caspar Hopf (1655-1716).
His direct descendant Caspar Hopf II (1677-1711) was long regarded as the greatest talent in his profession and established the long family tradition of mastery with the introduction of the "HOPF" brand stamp. Since that time, the profession of violin maker has always been passed on from father to son. However, this legacy was interrupted by the early death of August Hermann Hopf (1859-1884).
1906
Expansion & move to West-Germany.
Ernst Max (1882-1956) and Willy (1906 – 1990), Klingenthal, Germany & Wiesbaden, Germany
It was then Ernst Max Hopf (1882-1956), a master music string maker, who continued the family tradition of Craftmanship in 1906. His son Willy Hopf (1906-1990), a string maker as well, added a musical instruments workshop and wholesale business to the stringmaker's shop he took over from his father in 1932 and continued this until the end of the 2nd world war. Soon after the war, he moved all business to the Wehen/Wiesbaden area (West Germany) and reopened a master workshop for guitars, violins and recorders.
1950s
The advent of the electric Hopf guitars.
Dieter (1936 - 2026) and Wolfgang (1930 – 2013)
His both sons, Dieter and Wolfgang, entered the business in the early 50s followed by Wolfgang's son Bernd who joined the business in the mid 1970s. It was Dieter who - as a master guitar maker - established the excellent reputation of Hopf guitars made in Germany and developed in the 1950s to 1960s various highly innovative electric guitar models like the Saturn 63. The iconic Saturn 63 is closely associated with the legendary Hamburg Star-Club as it served as the logo for the Star-Club. The world’s music-elite performed at the Star Club - from the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix to the Rolling Stones. Lemmy Kilmister played a Hopf bass guitar (Studio) at that time.
Lemmy Kilmister playing the Hopf Studio bass
Entrance of the Star Club Hamburg (1968)
2023
Riffs for the future.
2023: The legendary history of these electric guitar models is now continued by the next generation of the Hopf family. In 2023, Christopher, Daniel and Patrick began the rebirth of Hopf Electric Guitars—with a clear vision: to elevate the brand into the premium boutique class. Built by the finest master luthiers of their craft, the legendary Hopf models are reimagined with uncompromising quality while honoring their heritage. The first model, the Saturn 23, stands as a modern reissue of the iconic Saturn 63—where tradition meets the highest standards of contemporary guitar making.
Skyrocket headstock
The new generation of Hopf: Christopher, Patrick, Daniel