Just Picked up a Juzek

groveofbass · #1 10-19-2010, 02:18 PM

I just bought this fully carved instrument labeled "John Juzek Violin Maker Formerly In Prague". It had been sitting in unused in a basement for years. I'm planning on getting it repaired soon - it has a couple cracks that need repair as well as needing a new end pin and a set-up.

The thing I'm most curious about is the neck joint area - there is an extra piece of wood on the back that covers the purfing. Has anyone ever seen this before? I'm worried about what it might be covering up if its not original.

uprightben · #2 10-19-2010, 04:02 PM

That looks like a button patch, indicating that the neck has come loose and broken the button off. That is a legit repair technique, and looks well done to me. It is possible to repair a button in a way that is invisible, but it is very hard and not any stronger.

Paul Warburton · #3 10-19-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groveofbass

The thing I'm most curious about is the neck joint area - there is an extra piece of wood on the back that covers the purfing. Has anyone ever seen this before? I'm worried about what it might be covering up if its not original.

I think you should be worried. I much rather see the visible repairs to be assured of good ones rather than this cover up.

Jake deVilliers · #4 10-19-2010, 05:59 PM

Hey Grove, that looks like a button repair accomplished by someone not really schooled in the craft of instrument repair but I wouldn't let it stop me from buying the bass if its otherwise sound.

groveofbass · #5 10-19-2010, 09:16 PM

I only paid $800 for it the bass. So if the neck repair is in fact structurally sound I still think I got a pretty good deal. I'll have updates after I bring it in to Bill Merchant to take a look at it.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #6 10-19-2010, 10:06 PM

For a carved bass? Ouch. I just paid that much for a cosmetically disastrous ply Juzek and thought I had done pretty well. Nice find.