1930s John Juzek Czech-made 4/4 Violin

While Juzek-brand instruments have been made for a long time, I think that this one looks an awful lot like a 1930s model and it has a matching label style to the ones pictured in my 1930 Metropolitan Music catalog. Its general specs suggest that it was a lower-mid-level model in the line, though that's cuts-above other catalog violins at the time.

This one is owned by a local friend who's hard-up and he had it gone through some years ago by a New York shop. It thus arrived here in essentially ready-to-go shape and only needed a minor seam reglue and adjustments. It's original save for the usual fittings -- bridge, tailpiece, chinrest, and pegs are all replacements from one period or another. It does have its original ebony tailpiece in the case, though.

It has a good, clean sound and has a "fiddle-style" low-action setup. You can move quick on it, for sure.

Interesting features include faux-flame on the neck but real figure/flame figure on the back and sides. The strings on it are some sort of nicer brand and have synthetic cores. There's a 1950 New York City Board of Ed set of markings at the back of the scroll/headstock and the number "12" was, unfortunately, nail-polished (or somethinged) on the back and at the endpin. That left scratched-up/finish-bereft areas when removed.

Repairs included: minor seam repair, adjustments.

Made by: John Juzek

Model: unsure

Made in: Czechoslovakia

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bridge: maple

Fingerboard: ebony

Neck wood: maple

String height: quick, fiddle-style
Strings: unknown, nicer-grade synthetic core

Neck shape: slim C

Neck relief: straight

Scale length: 12 3/4"

Nut width: 7/8"

Body length: 14"

Body width: 8"

Body depth: 1 1/2"

Weight: 1 lb 2 oz

Condition notes: it has mild scratching throughout the body but the finish does look nice overall. It's "friendly." There are two scratched-out "12s" -- one on the back-center of the body and one at the endpin area -- that are not obvious at a glance. Fittings are mostly changed but all in good order. Original tailpiece is in the case. The pegs are well-fit and stable in service. There's a tiny, repaired hairline crack on the upper-bout-top, bass shoulder. There's also a 2" repaired hairline (center-seam) under the tailpiece.

It comes with: a nice hard case and "case candy."