Juzek Guarneri Model Violin circa 1935

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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. Mr. Juzek was an extremely prolific maker, had a keen eye, entrepreneurial business sense, and possessed excellent attention to detail. Before World War II his instruments were made in Prague. From 1920 throughout the 1970s, the craftsmen were from the Bohemia region on both sides of the German/Czechoslovak border. The business grew big time when his brother Robert Juzek emigrated 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 purchased violins and violas from other craftsmen, mostly from Schönbach, and according to advertising literature of Czechoslovakia to build instruments to his specifications. This Guarnerius model violin is one of these independent craftsmen instruments, still beautiful work, indicated by a black label and not a label of multi colors.

The violin has a choice, medium to tight grain spruce top which is consistent across the table. The back is Bosnian maple like the original Master Arts from the 20’s and 30’s. The instrument has rounded off corners from natural wear and playing. The purfling is still perfect, the arching is genuine and accurate to the model. The two-piece maple back jumps in degree of flame and the ribs match in quality of the flame. The neck has been grafted and done well with a truly exquisite piece of curly maple. The varnish is a clear orange/brown, antiqued and shaded to make the violin appear even older than it is. The oil varnish and antiquing is done on top of a golden ground. The oil varnish layering is beautifully done. Even at 80 years old the violin has no issues. We meticulously went over the instrument cleaning layers of dirt and imbedded rosin, also touching up spots where needed. We have cut a new set of ebony pegs with diamond helms on the ends, given the violin a matching tailpiece, cut a new soundpost, bridge, chin rest, and button. The instrument is in very good condition ready to find two new hands to create sound with.

Corpus 357.0 mm., Major Width 208.0mm., Minor Width 168.5 mm.,
Rib Height 30.0 tapering to 29.0 at the neck

Sound is a hard thing to describe. I always do my best in this area but remember it is just my opinion. Yours may vary. That said I give the violin 9 out of 10 stars *. The violin has strong depth and sustain. The depth I would also say is a mature sound. The G and D side emits power and has a focused sound. It is a bold sound, like that coffee you might have had this morning. The violin rings and is not for the bashful player. The treble side is bold too. Great ring and life. The violin resonates clearly and is susceptible even to the lightest touch from the bow. Nice response and it handles complex articulations. The instrument lays well, meaning it is easy to play and would be an excellent fit for an orchestra player looking to up their game in sound quality and performance.

As I write today temps were in the single digits overnight and about 12 degrees Fahrenheit when I came into work this morning. Cold weather, but we keep the shop at 68-69 degrees, and we are pumping moisture into every room to keep humidity between 36% to 45% levels. Humidity in the winter helps ensure there are no issues after all of the work is completed and helps the fittings to work correctly.