Ewald Sommer

Ewald Sommer’s grandfather, Ignatz Sommer, started building machine heads for stringed instruments in 1911. Early on, he supplied Höfner with his products for basses, guitars, mandolins, and zithers. Once the company resettled in Bubenreuth after World War II, Höfner’s successful Beatles bass became a success story for the Sommer company, who supplied the tuners for the bass. This bass, with it's unique design of the metal parts, was produced until 2018. The forms for traditional instruments such as the zither were retained and incorporated into the new designs of electric guitars of the 60’s.