Quote:
Originally Posted by JML7117  I appreciate any replies to this .I been trying to research the history and authenticate it. It needs some work wonder about its worth. I acquired it from a friend. He remembers hearing his uncle
Ned Skinner play it when he was 10 years old he 64 now . his uncle had the bass sent back to Checkoslovakia in 1970.Skinner played in Kansas City. Thats about as my as i know about the history
As for condition and construction of the bass the front and back
are of solid wood and look like different spieces the neck is maple
finger board is ebony . It has some open cracks in the face and repair of one crack looks its been cleated and linened . The finish looks like its original and has a nice flamed appearance on the back and neck .The finger board seems to be bowed down and to the right when looking down the neck from the top . Im interested in having work done to it if it would be worth it. does anybody know?
Again Thank You for your help. |
What is it you would like to know or try at least to get some opinions on? To start you off, here's a hint or two IF this is one of the questions. The Shoenbach label inside is a commercial seal of some sort used on production instruments made for export, I think. The Juzek label is written in English as well as the city Prague and not 'Praha' as they spell it at home. Domestically made and distributed instruments in Europe are usually written in their native Language or in some Latin as we see almost all across Europe on occasion. This Juzek label was put inside the Bass in New York City. Prague is no where near Shoenbach either. None of the Basses labeled Juzek were ever made by Juzek. Although he was a Violin maker in Prague your Bass and almost every other Juzek was either made in Shoenbach or Germany by subcontractors. Usually the Wilfers. There have been some flatback Basses spotted with Juzek labels in them as well. IF these were actually imported and labeled by Juzek in NY, then they might have been made by a commercial Prague shop as a lower end model prior to WWII or in Germany if made after.
Robert Juzek, the brother of John ran the company in NY. John was involved to a degree I assume with contracting makers and shops as most of the business was supplying the Schools in NY and other US Cities. I was living in Florida in 1965/6 when my teacher gave me the name and address for when I come to New York and told me what to buy from them. After WWII, John was totally out of the picture and under Robert's control 100%. All the instruments were then coming from Germany. Many of the workers and shops moved across the Czech border into Germany and continued making instruments for them with some financial sponsorship from Robert Juzek in NY.
As for your Bass, the pictures are too few and too dark. Better detailed straight shots are needed and many of them. Every part of the Bass. Still, it may take a personal or internal inspection to figure it all out if that can be done.
well... 
