How Ned Steinberger’s innovative designs opened up a new world for bass players – and others – as told by one man who saw it all happen
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
August 15, 2016
Harold “Hap” Kuffner plays guitar, mandolin and bass. After receiving his first guitar at age eleven, Hap not only learned to play the instrument, but eventually taught himself guitar repair as well as how to teach. In 1969, Kuffner, along with his friend Stanley Jay, opened a vintage instrument shop in New York, named Mandolin Brothers, which grew enormously popular, especially with vintage guitar enthusiasts.
In the years that followed, Kuffner formed a business relationship with designer and instrument innovator Ned Steinberger, eventually joining Steinberger Sound Company. Long after forming his own company, Kuffner International, in 1982, Hap continued his collaboration with Steinberger, helping to grow the businesses, facilitating the opening of new factories and providing additional insights for operating a global enterprise, NS Design.
FBPO’s Jon Liebman caught up with Kuffner at the 2016 summer NAMM show to glean more information about the origins of the Steinberger companies, as well as the growing line of innovative instruments and insights into the man himself, Ned Steinberger.
Watch our interview with Hap!
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