Juzek, NY
Well, as you may know from my Sticky thread here on Juzek that these are German/Czech Shop Basses all around 100%. Their import business started after WWI about 1920 or later. I don't know when they started buying Basses but I am sure there were some in the '20s but not positive. The earliest dated Basses I have seen were 1936 and 1939 which were labeled and dated. The label of Anton Wilfer is on some of them with or without the additional Juzek label. It has been the Wilfer family from the start that has always supplied their carved Basses according to Bobby Juzek (son of Robert Juzek who is the brother of John Juzek. Robert was the head of the Juzek firm using John's name. John, a violin maker in Prague never made any Basses and I doubt that much if anything at all came from Prague either with most of the shops on the German/Czech border around Shoenbach, Bubenreuth and Markneukirchin). The Plywood models were also supplied by the Lang firm in Germany but this is most probable after WWII.
To help you better, I would need to see the Bass here in pics. Front, Back, close-up of the back button by the neck, side profile, scroll front, side and back, any and all cracks and seam openings etc etc etc.
I can tell you in a matter of seconds or rather, as fast as I can type what the Bass needs and the cost estimates to restore it but then again, those costs depend greatly on who does the work and how far they go as far as full restoration like I have done or 'just get it patched up and working' which many others do which is a temporary fix but sometimes a waste of money in the long run.
Many of these Basses are worth less than zero dollars as the repairs needed can cost more than the total value post restoration. Fixing a 200k Italian Bass or a Juzek can cost almost the same because time is time and 10-20k is not a lot for an expensive Bass to get it right but on a Juzek type Bass, keep it in the low thousands if possible.
In the late '60s a new Juzek went for $200. carved on up to $900. for the top end 7/8ths orchestra Bass. Used on the street, $100-$400 all day long!!!
Now, a Juzek sells on average from the low to mid thousands depending on condition and some have gone over 10k. Why over 10k? I'm not sure because I didn't see the Bass and the Juzek market is often mis-informed on the buyers end as far as value and repair costs as well as existing condition and past/existing repairs!
So, show me some pics and I will tell you my opinion. That's all I can do for now.
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