Information on my new Juzek?

beingbecoming · #1 07-27-2008, 11:55 AM

Hello TB'ers!

I just bought a bass because i saw that it was left unplayed for 30+ years and completely unplayable! I didn't really need this bass, but it was a shame to have this sitting around in a corner, with what looked like the original gut strings on it (yuck!)! Now, I've had it restored and want to find out anything I can about the instrument. I'm hoping someone here can help!

The label reads "John Juzek: Violin Maker in formerly in Prague, formerely in Germany". The back is stamped 1962. From my understanding, John Juzek never made basses but this was imported and probably at one point owned by the NYC public school system. There was a crack in the back that the lad I purchased the bass from said she had repaired in 1999 or 2000. It seems to be a solid repair. The sides, again from my own research, appear to be sprayed as opposed to hand rubbed, but the top and back are hand-rubber. It is a solid carved instrument.

It is a little smaller than my 3/4 bass, though I am told also that Juzek never made a 5/8ths instrument - and this is definitely not a half-size. The sound is really beautiful though it is not extremely loud. I think this would make a great jazz bass! I'm still breaking it in after not being played for 30 + years and having a bunch of work done.

I had the neck sanded, new synthetic gut strings, fingerboard planed, new bridge, new tailgut, endpin removed (it was non-functional) and a stub put in, Rabbath endpin drilled, and all of the costmetics repaired on the instrument.

I'm not sure if I'll keep this instrument, but it is certainly temping as a second bass. The sounds is really complex and I'm enjoying jamming on it!

Can anyone tell me anything else about this bass????

Thanks!

reedo35 · #2 07-27-2008, 12:08 PM

You already know where it came from and what it is,what else are you looking for? There are quite a few threads on the Juzek history around here. If you want a guesstimate of its worth, I've seen similar basses go for $6000-8500 depending.
But I'm no dealer or history expert.

beingbecoming · #3 07-27-2008, 12:27 PM

More Pictures

beingbecoming · #4 07-27-2008, 12:29 PM

And More....

pkivory · #5 07-27-2008, 01:34 PM

The pics make the bass look small, like a half size. Could you post the string length, upper/lower bout widths and body length. That might give TBers a better idea of what you've got and what input they can offer.

beingbecoming · #6 07-27-2008, 02:10 PM

The string length is 40 inches

Lower bout 2 ft

Upper bout 18 inches

Body Length 41 inches

beingbecoming · #7 07-27-2008, 02:12 PM

I think I took those measurements correctly,

The luthier who did the work did not think it was 1/2 size and that seems a bit small to me. The bass feels like just a little under my 3/4

pkivory · #8 07-27-2008, 03:18 PM

John - I'm pretty sure what you've got is a half size bass. I'm not sure what the value is but I don't believe it's in the range mentioned above. Hopefully someone with more insight can offer a more definitive appraisal. Best of luck with the instrument.

Eric Hochberg · #9 07-27-2008, 04:21 PM

Those measurements make me think small 3/4 or 5/8 size. My 3/4 Juzek (1955) has 41.5 SL 19" UB and 25.5"LB. This could be a good bass for a smaller player and you might get $6-8K from the right person if it sounds better than other smaller new basses in that range.

Arnold · #10 07-27-2008, 05:14 PM

I had a 5/8ths with those measurements so that's my guess and I sure miss it. The value on them is not nearly the value on the 3/4 but I'd grab one if it came by and if it plays great who cares what it is?
Peace.
Arnold

beingbecoming · #11 07-27-2008, 05:33 PM

Thank you to everyone for your help so far! I'm really digging the bass at the moment. I've been playing it all day and the tone is really starting to open up!

I'm going to take it on stage for the first time tonight - just a restaurant gig - and then see how she performs.

I'd really love to keep her but I'm not sure if I can justify having yet another bass around at the moment. I had thoughts of keeping a second bass to do outdoor gigs...... I just don't know if I really want to keep a bass I don't play that often. That is really why i had her fixed - she was sitting there unplayed and that really wasn't healthy!

Gearhead43 · #12 07-27-2008, 10:02 PM

You can't have too many basses, and you already love the way it plays and sounds, so keep it and take good care of it. Having two basses is an ideal situation, in my opinion, and you should be happy to always have one to play whilst one is in the shop, etc.

If I'd have found that Juzek I'd be doing this: