My Teacher's Mittenwald [ID help?]

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Steve Robinson

Thanks, Ken. There is both a Franz and Andreas Wilfer; could that be a clue?

Thanks again!

--Steve

For an importer or dealers fictitious label, maybe but this is clearly an export/import type label. In 1951, the maker running the shop of these basses was probably Wenzel Wilfer. They also supplied Juzek.

[Ken Smith]

Ok, looked thru my German makers book. No such name listed regardless of first or last name. Most likely a dealers made up name but who knows. Nothing more to ID than the Bass itself, estimated origin and period made. It can only be judged by its own self-contained merits as there is no pedigree to be found as of yet.

This is a factory type made bass so for tooling and all, we would have heard about them. If it was an Italian that handmade a bass or two then it's a needle in a haystack but this is German Factory bass, period! If there was such a person or shop, I can't find it, sorry. It was probably made in the factory that made other basses of the exact same shape but sold under a different label, importer or store brand. Thus ends the search on my end.

[Ken Smith]

If you like, go to that town and see if that shop or person paid taxes under that name. In 1951, they were paying. The books I have are old and came out in the 1960's at the latest. If it was a new factory, it might not have made the books. But, Hofner, Framus and Wilfer were in business then in the same area so who made what for who? Who knows. Still, the name itself looks suspicious and the label is mixed German and English. A few years after the war the Germans printing English on labels? Only in the export business.

[Steve Robinson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

...but this is German Factory bass, period!

Thank you so much, Ken. We can just say it's a 1950s German factory bass from Mittenwald, similar to a Wilfer/Juzek. I think that's enough. If I ever learn anything else about the label, etc. I will post here for your archives. Thanks again.

--Steve