Juzek question

[joelkelsey]

Hi Ken,

Thanks a lot for your thoughtful reply. I have tried without success to photgraph the label. Can you offer any advice on label photography. Also, are there any other photos you would want to look at? I really appreciate your time.

Thanks again
Joel

[Ken Smith]

Actually I just spoke with Nick about this bass I think and he mentioned a separate label that read 'Made in Czechslovokia" besides the Juzek label. This means that it was a Czech import most likely b4 wwII but the Juzek label was added in the USA after it arrived of course.

A better pic of the upper back and the purfling on both top and back might help. The Juzeks bought mainly from the Wilfer family but the Lang Shop in Germany also supplied the Plywoods and maybe some lower level carved Basses. Either this was a bass they bought/imported for economics, or the label was inserted by someone else. Either way, the basic profile of the Bass is the same as the others they brought in regardless of the origin of the actually Juzek label. It would sound any better either way. Knowing the name of the shop that actually made it may not be of any importance as it could be a cottage industry type Shoenbach area Bass produced in part by various 'out workers' which was common then.

[Brian Glassman]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Actually I just spoke with Nick about this bass I think and he mentioned a separate label that read 'Made in Czechslovokia" besides the Juzek label. This means that it was a Czech import most likely b4 wwII but the Juzek label was added in the USA after it arrived of course.

A better pic of the upper back and the purfling on both top and back might help. The Juzeks bought mainly from the Wilfer family but the Lang Shop in Germany also supplied the Plywoods and maybe some lower level carved Basses. Either this was a bass they bought/imported for economics, or the label was inserted by someone else. Either way, the basic profile of the Bass is the same as the others they brought in regardless of the origin of the actually Juzek label. It would sound any better either way. Knowing the name of the shop that actually made it may not be of any importance as it could be a cottage industry type Shoenbach area Bass produced in part by various 'out workers' which was common then.

Ken, I have a plywood bass that has a label that reads John Juzek Formerly of Prague Made in Germany. I've owned it since 1979. Arnold did a neck reset in 1999. Here are pix: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...&a=32540883&f=

What do you think? Is it from the Lange shop?

THANKS, Brian

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Brian Glassman

Ken, I have a plywood bass that has a label that reads John Juzek Formerly of Prague Made in Germany. I've owned it since 1979. Arnold did a neck reset in 1999. Here are pix: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...&a=32540883&f=

What do you think? Is it from the Lange shop?

THANKS, Brian

According to Bobby Juzek the Nephew, the Plywoods and some lower grade models were supplied by the Lang firm. According to Steve Loeb (Green!) from Ideal Music (Importer in NY) they would on occasion sell some stock to Metropolitan Music (Juzek, NY) when they needed extra Basses for orders. All Basses were labeled then at 222 4th Ave, NYC. This was just a few blocks away from Ideal on 5th ave (21-22nd st.).

Lang may not have been the only Shop in Germany that made Basses and were purchased by Juzek one way or another. My first Bass was a Plywood Bass purchased directly from Juzek in 1966 when I just turned 15.

[Brian Glassman]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

According to Bobby Juzek the Nephew, the Plywoods and some lower grade models were supplied by the Lang firm. According to Steve Loeb (Green!) from Ideal Music (Importer in NY) they would on occasion sell some stock to Metropolitan Music (Juzek, NY) when they needed extra Basses for orders. All Basses were labeled then at 222 4th Ave, NYC. This was just a few blocks away from Ideal on 5th ave (21-22nd st.).

Lang may not have been the only Shop in Germany that made Basses and were purchased by Juzek one way or another. My first Bass was a Plywood Bass purchased directly from Juzek in 1966 when I just turned 15.

My first DB as well. Did yours look like mine?

BG

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Brian Glassman

My first DB as well. Did yours look like mine?

BG

This was 1966! It had 4 strings tuned g-d-a-e. I don't think it was flamed on the Back and that's all I can remember..lol

[Eric Hochberg]

I was at Rutman's Violin Shop in Boston last week and they had a nice sounding Flatback bass they said was a Juzek, from the 30's, I think. I didn't look to see the label. You might want to contact them with questions.