Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip Watson
I'm trying to find the value of this bass. I've attached some pics. I appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Phil
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He/They supplied basses to the 'Juzek company' in New York as well as 'Vitali Import company' back then and maybe some other wholesalers in USA.
The Gamba model in 1965 with plain type maple was $200. from Juzek. The Violin model was slightly higher. They made 3 or 4 grades sold by model or Figure in the woods. The top 3/4 was $850 and 7/8 was $900. That was as high as the Juzeks went which WERE Wenzel Wilfer basses. I bout the top 3/4 in late '71 or early '72 and it still had the Wilfer label. That bass was in the Juzek warehouse since at least 1966 or earlier as I had my eyes on that bass for years. There were a few others still in stock as well, one engraves WBW in script on the back, a top model 7/8.
Value now? Well, these are shop/factory type basses and when or if they crack (mine recently cracked after being here 40 years up the bassbar and soundpost areas, end to end) the restoration will cost more than the bass's worth.
Still, I see Juzek labeled Wilfer basses selling for about 10x what I think they are worth but who cares what I think. Sell or price the bass according to similar vintage/model/wood/condition basses from Juzek as it is the same exact bass. Maybe without of the Juzek Label it is worth less on the market but that is just stupidity from the false reputation that Juzek has earned here as Wilfer was always the maker and Juzek never made a bass in his life. In fact, other than a few early instruments (not basses) all the Juzek violins-thru basses were shop/factory made imports. Some of the Violins were nice but the basses had to be made by one of the few area bass specialty shops, Wilfer. After WWII, the Wilfers, Hofners and Framus's all relocated to Bubenreuth from the Czech side of the East German border.
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