Matth. Hohner AG

1857 1900 1930 1950 1970
2011
1857: Matthias Hohner (1833 –
1902) starts the manufacturing of
harmonicas.
Johannes Link (1848 – 1914)
Founder of SONOR.
Matthias Hohner (1833 – 1902)
1867: HOHNER starts exporting harmonicas to the
USA – by the end of the 19th century the export quota
exceeds 80%.
The HOHnER Group's lengthy tradition of high
quality musical instrument manufacture began
in the mid-19th century. In 1857 Matthias
Hohner founded a small harmonica factory
and in 1875 Johannes link embarked on the
production of SOnOR percussion instruments.
In time, what started off as a cottage industry
grew to become one of the most firmly
established companies in international musical
culture. In cooperation with global stars,
HOHnER’s legendary instruments created
unforgettable musical milestones.
1875: Johannes Link founds the SONOR company in Weißenfels
an der Saale (East Germany)
1896: Introduction of the legendary
Marine Band harmonica.
Fig.: Patent drawings
1903: Start of accordion
production.
Fig.: The first HOHNER
accordion
1900: Matthias Hohner passes his company to his five sons – 1,000 employees
manufacture 4 million harmonicas per year.
1901: Hans Hohner founds the
HOHNER US department in New York.
1909: Foundation of the Matth. Hohner AG.
1899: Production of Timpani and
Concert Percussion.
1912: HOHNER introduces the chromatic harmonica.
1900: First single bass
drum pedal worldwide.
1920: The founder’s grandson
Dr. Ernst Hohner (1886 –
1965) joins the executive
board. 4.000 employees
produce 20 million harmonicas
per year.
1931: In the middle of the century’s biggest accordion boom
with hundreds of accordion orchestras HOHNER founds the
HOHNER music publishing house, the DHV (German
Harmonica Association) and the HOHNER conservatory.
1925: First Drum with wood hoops.
SONOR had 145 employees and was one
of the largest businesses of its kind.
1927: First Bass Drum Double
Pedal world-wide.
1928: Venanzio Morino
comes to Trossingen and
leads accordion department
to a golden age.
1930: Snare Drum with first multi
3-way-strainer.
1935: Single Bass Drum Pedal and
first Hi Hat.
1952: Begin serial production of
electronic and electromechanical
HOHNER instruments like Electronium or
Electra-Vox.
1956: Giovanni Gola becomes
head of the accordion department
and sets new standards in the
high end premium segment.
1952: First Drum kit with Concert Toms.
1946: Restart in Bad Berleburg-Aue, Western Germany,
starting with making natural calfskin drumheads.
1964: HOHNER introduces the
Clavinet.
1958: HOHNER invents the Melodica.
1962: Begin production of recorders.
1962: Glockenspiel Case.
1955: Introduction of Orff-Range of products.
1965: The first music instrument
in outer space: The little Lady
harmonica is played by Walter
Schirra during the Gemini 6
mission.
1961: For the first time, Mallets were
used as part of the logo.
1985: The Hooters make the Melodica
popular also in Pop/Rock music.
Mid 1960ies: Legendary icons such
as Johnny Cash, Sammy Davis jr. or
The Beatles sign endorsements with
HOHNER.
1975: Start of HOHNER guitar
line; big success of the “HOHNER
Professional” guitar series in the
1980ies.
1973: Introduction of “Vertical Grain”
Drums, SONOR Champion Series Drum
kit in Rosewood.
1975: Introduction of the Phonic
Series and Champion Series Acrylic
Drums. Seamless shells and seamless
mege hoops. Shell edges shaped to
exakt 45o.
1980: First "Single
Post" Bass Drum Pedal
introduced.
1991: Sonor joins the
HOHNER group.
1985: Signature bell bronze
Snare Drum. Heaviest snare
drum ever.
1982: Signature Series kit in Bubinga and
Ebony veneer.
2009: Bob Dylan Signature Series.
1991: Opening of the German Harmonica Museum in Trossingen.
2007: New world record for the world’s biggest harmonica orchestra
(2898 players) during the celebrations of 150 years HOHNER
– topped in 2009 by 6131 HOHNER players in Hong Kong.
10 HISTORIC MIlESTOnES
HISTORIC MIlESTOnES
1994: Designer Series
– first custom Drum kit.
2006: Launch of the All-Custom
Drum Series SQ2 Drum System.
Exclusive online Drum Set builder.
2001: Introduction
of High End Giant
Step Bass Drum
Pedals.
2004: Delite Series.
2012: 100 Yea
11