Atelier Hozick Jung für Geigenbau und Restaurierung

23/12/2025

21/12/2025

With only one eye

20/09/2025

15/02/2025

Vintage Gibson Double Bass: A Treasure from the Golden Age of Swing Jazz

A very special guest recently arrived at my workshop: a Gibson double bass crafted in 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. This instrument is more than just a stringed instrument; it embodies a rich musical heritage deeply tied to the golden age of swing jazz. While Gibson is renowned for its guitars and mandolins, its mid-20th-century upright basses, produced in limited quantities, stand out for their exceptional craftsmanship and remain highly valued among vintage instrument enthusiasts today.

This double bass features a plywood side construction, ensuring remarkable durability and minimal damage over the decades. With a 104.5cm mensur (string length), it falls within the standard 3/4 size range, making it ideal for a variety of musical styles. Gibson‘s signature varnish and the warm, resonant tone of its aged wood deliver a balanced sound suitable for both pizzicato jazz and arco performances.

The year 1941 marked the height of swing jazz, with legendary bassists like Walter Page, Milt Hinton, Jimmy Blanton, and Israel Crosby shaping musical history alongside big bands across the United States. Imagining this Gibson double bass being played by one of these iconic musicians only adds to its allure. Combining rarity and historical significance, this extraordinary instrument is now undergoing meticulous restoration in my workshop, where it will soon be ready to create new musical stories.

03/06/2024

I have no desire to emulate the famed shape of old masters like Stradivari or Guarneri. Rather, like a snail, even though slow, I wish to shape my life gradually, carving out my own unique path.

doublebass

31/05/2024

I just made a new bass bar for a double bass and suddenly saw a lot of potential for repositioning the f-holes. I decided to keep them. Someday, I too will have the chance to reposition the f-holes.

21/05/2024

In progress

17/01/2024

A young girl visited my workshop today because of her violin bridge, and while there, she left her favorite broken bow. She was quite upset and told me she wanted to discard it, leaving it behind in my atelier. I fixed it with a whimsical touch. I’m eager to surprise her with it tomorrow. It was a delightful deviation from my regular work.