John Juzek Stradivarius Model 16” Viola 1966

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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 WWII the instruments were made in Prague. From 1920 throughout the 1970’s 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; according to advertising literature from Czechoslovakia they built instruments to his specifications. This viola is from one of these independent craftsmen, indicated by the black label and not a label with multiple colors.

The viola has a straight various-width grain spruce top, and Bosnian maple for the back and ribs like the original Master Arts from the 20’s and 30’s. The instrument has beautiful edgework, spot on purfling, consistent arching for a Strad model which leads to a powerhouse sound, and accurate classic graduations. The maple back is a gorgeous two-piece, and the matching ribs, neck, and scroll are highly flamed too. The back also has an ebony tongue crown. The varnish is a transparent orange/brown on a golden ground. We have installed a set of Perfection Pegs with real ebony peg heads in the Hill style. There is no need for fine tuners to help fine tune your instrument. We have also carved a new B grade Despiau bridge, soundpost, and tail. The instrument is in very good condition and has some slight visible playing wear in the top plate varnish.

Corpus 406.0 mm, Major Width 235.0 mm, Minor Width 192.5 mm., Rib Height 38.0 mm.

This viola has it! A Wow sound. A large resonant sound that as a player you will feel. The sound is beautiful and clear. You just touch the bottom end, and the tone takes off with plenty of life. Yes, this viola resonates and has excellent sustain on all four of the voices. There is no spot where the viola does not speak. Even in the higher positions the instrument retains great presence and tone. The sound is mature, strong, and slightly reedy in it’s make up. This is a gorgeous viola with classic Strad lines with a way above average tone.