John Juzek High Grade Violin – Prague circa 1930

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In the early 20th century, a talented Czech luthier name Jan Juzek worked in Prague and began to make his mark on the stringed instrument world. Juzek was an extremely prolific maker, had a keen eye, entrepreneurial business sense, and possessed excellent attention to detail. Before WWII the instruments were made in Prague. From 1920 throughout the 1970s, the craftsmen he employed were from the Bohemia region on both sides of the Germany/Czechoslovakia border. The business grew big time when his brother Robert Juzek immigrated to New York and started Metropolitan Music, first in New York City and then later near my hometown in Springfield, New Jersey. Juzek instruments, especially Master Art level, gained a worldwide audience for their high-quality violins, violas, celli, and basses. As demand for string instruments in North America increased, John Juzek commissioned instruments to be made by other craftsmen, mostly from Schönbach. According to advertising literature from Czechoslovakia they built instruments to John Juzek’s specifications. This is higher grade Juzek violin, with choice woods, a lovely one-piece back, matching ribs, and antiqued varnish work. It was obviously made in a shop with high levels of detail and craftsmanship. In addition to the one-piece back the violin has a two-piece spruce top with medium-to-fine grain. The grain broadens slightly at the flanks of the plate. The varnish is an antiqued transparent golden brown with a touch of amber/orange highlights. The varnish is consistent throughout the entire violin. We have carved new ebony fittings for the pegs, chin rest, and button along with a new bridge and soundpost. The instrument is in very good condition.

The sound simply jumps out of this violin. It has a fantastic resonance with power and depth. I love the sound of this instrument. The bottom end will make you take notice of the violin; there is a little edge to the bottom end which greatly adds to the overtones and clarity that will ultimately drive the sound. The sound is mature with a powerful sustain, even on the treble side. The treble strings project with a sweetness, not harsh, and with a significant amount of power too. The violin speaks well on all four of the voices, it demonstrates both depth and harmonic presence throughout the registers. The sound is mature, strong, and smooth under the ear and has the guts or edge as well as the drive to fill up a concert hall. Are you a music major, conservatory player, or just looking to get another good sounding instrument. This is it, a winner for the player looking for a great violin under 4K