Willy Köstler flatback

[Ron Wouters]

Hi,
I found a beautiful and good sounding German (?) flatback from around 1920, only i can't find anything about the builder Willy (Willi?) Köstler.
Anybody here can tell me more about him? I didn't buy it yet, because i'm not sure it's worth the money asked. If it is, i'll get it asap, so all info is very welcome before someboby else runs off with this beauty.

Thanks,

Ron,
Belgium

[Ken Smith]

I am at home and all my books are at the office. I did however look this guy up. At first I looked in my German/Austrian makers book and nothing was there on him. Then I went to the general 2 book set of all makers and there he was. A commercial factory of instruments and strings from Bohemia, not Germany by near the German border. I think it's mentioned that he was from Germany but the shop was in Czech territory near Schonbach.

This bass looks Germanic in its style and making as was typical of that period right next to Germany. Also, many basses then and now were made by Bass speciality shops and sold to others to be re-labeled. This is how basses were imported into the USA but I am sure the practice was not limited to just exports. Why make a bass or two if the other shop makes 100s and well sell them unlabeled if asked.

I wasn't there so I can't swear to this but it makes sense. The outer Rib Linings finish flush with the Top and Back. This is more typical of the Schonbach/Luby school than with the Germans makers. The Prague and Viennese makers of basses finished them flush as well but rarely with outside linings. That feature (the Linings) is German on these basses. I don't know if this bass is from the factory that it's labeled from or just labeled and sold by them. It doesn't matter. Call it by its label. It's close enough if not spot on.

[Ron Wouters]

Would 1920ties be correct?
Difficult to see on the pictures, but is it a solid or a plywood? I don't know when they started making plywood basses. I have a King Mortone from '40, and that is already ply...

Ron

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ron Wouters

Would 1920ties be correct?
Difficult to see on the pictures, but is it a solid or a plywood? I don't know when they started making plywood basses. I have a King Mortone from '40, and that is already ply...

Ron

It appears to be solid BUT ask the seller. They should know. I think 1920 is too early for production plywood basses. Earlier handmade 2 and 3 ply parts have been seen but not common. Ask also if the finish/varnish is all original. Looks a bit too shiny. The Scroll looks original all over. The 1920s seem close. The Gears are from around then but were used earlier and later. They used what they had. Also, ask if the bass was 'born' blockless. If so, make sure it has a neck block now. Blocking it will be more than the price of the bass. I have seen shops restore blockless basses and leave them blockless. This is bad. The shop/luthier doesn't take the bass on gigs and test it of have to live with it. I have one in repair now but did use it on some gigs. I was constantly tuning the bass as the neck was made attached inside to the Top and Back. As the bass vibrates from playing, it goes out of tune. The neck was almost floating while the bass vibrated. Not optimum in my opinion.

So, is it carved, refinished or blockless? These are your 3 concerns. The maker, date and exact origin are of less importance in this price range. Structure and condition as well as sound are the most important factors.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Given two basses of equal tone; one having overhangs, and the other having flush edges, choose the one with overhangs. Flush edges can be a major problem, especially at repair time.

[Ron Wouters]

So,
If i get it well, i'd better NOT buy this bass?

Ron

[Ken Smith]

Willie Kostler
Musik - Instrumenten- und Saiten - Fabrik
Graslitz (Bohmen)

That is the Label in my Book. Text;

Kostler Willy; Graslitz (Kraslice), c. 1928. V.m. (means violin maker in this book), owner of a firm for the production of musical instruments and strings.

There is no mention of Germany here. The maker in my book of a similar name before this listing had that and I mixed the German thing in my head/memory. Sorry.. By all accounts, a Bohemian maker near the German border. The new name of this/his town is Kraslice which I found in the Atlas. Graslitz was not listed.

Refrence; Jalovec, Enclclopedia of Violin Makers, volume I - A-K. Published in 1965, printed in Czechoslovakia by Tisk Brno. English translated version. Out of print, bought used. The set of 2 books was over $600.

Ok so, $100. please. Where do I send the bill?