I bought a restoration project. I'm about done with it, but unfortunately all I know about it is that it is an old John Juzek Master art. The label looks super old and says made in Czeckoslavakia. Is anyone a Juzek buff around here? my project is on facebook under Josh Henley's busted bass if anyone wants a look at the label.
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Double Bass Old Juzek bass
- Thread starter jhenley2
- Start date
Do a search for Juzek. There are a few threads. From what I've learned, Juzek labeled basses were imported by Juzek's NYC company, Metropolitan Music, and sold to the NYC school system and probably others. The business started in the mid 1920's. They were made in large part by Wilfer, in Czech before the war, and Germany after. The Juzek name is a trade name. John Juzek never handmade a bass.
Master Art was their highest level bass, but the "real" master arts had violin corners, which yours does not. I have a bass with a master art label, and it is also gamba shaped.
There is also a lot of info on www.smithbassforums.com. Ken Smith knows the Juzeks and their history well.
Master Art was their highest level bass, but the "real" master arts had violin corners, which yours does not. I have a bass with a master art label, and it is also gamba shaped.
There is also a lot of info on www.smithbassforums.com. Ken Smith knows the Juzeks and their history well.
was kept for the best instruments at the time
it seems that from the 50's on they were violin corners and were commissioned as such - the Better line - from the shops
earlier ones seem to be both Gamba & violin, round & flat back - they probably sourced basses from various builders and labeled/priced them accordingly
could be that, until they had the volume to monopolize Wilfer or whoever's shop output they really didn't dictate the form
I have a very early - possibly 1905 I'm told - that was most likely acquired much later for import to the US as a professional level instrument - BTW this bass is a gamba flatback gold in finish - unlike any other Juzek I've seen
it seems that from the 50's on they were violin corners and were commissioned as such - the Better line - from the shops
earlier ones seem to be both Gamba & violin, round & flat back - they probably sourced basses from various builders and labeled/priced them accordingly
could be that, until they had the volume to monopolize Wilfer or whoever's shop output they really didn't dictate the form
I have a very early - possibly 1905 I'm told - that was most likely acquired much later for import to the US as a professional level instrument - BTW this bass is a gamba flatback gold in finish - unlike any other Juzek I've seen
My project bass is just as you described. a flatback goldish colored Juzek labeled bass. The reason I thought it was from 1910 was because that's what Andy Stetson told me when I bought it from him. When I was in college, I played a violin cornered Juzek from 1957. It was an excellent bass and I miss it. It is in disrepair, but the school won't sell it. Its sad.
There were several luthier shops in Markneukirchen that made basses ordered by Juzek and others. I have one imported by William Lewis & Son. Mostly three levels, carved with premium wood, carved with non-figured wood, and plywood. Many carved back and some flat back. If in good repair these are good basses to play and own. The shoulders are comfortable and overall the bass is easy to handle.
