Wilkanowski
Encyclopedia
William Wilkanowski was a Polish-American violin
-maker.
, he worked in the shops of Ditson (Boston) and Fred Gretsch
(New York City
).
by 1933, although at least one violin made in Brooklyn dates to 1924. From 1937 to 1941, he worked in both an era and a location renowned for the jazz guitar
. Gretsch offered Wilkanowski's work in a 1940 flyer with the text "his own personal work…no other hand touches them." His violins were offered from $50–150.
Wilkanowski is thought to have produced 5,000 violins and 100 viola
s, impressive numbers, by 1942. Some of the higher quality violins were marked with a W inlay, these instruments are thought to be entirely of his own making, while many of the others were made in the shops with assistants. The Gretsch Company released the Synchromatic line during the early 40’s also, which were also archtop guitar
s, but shared no other similarities with Wilkanowski guitars. His role in the Synchromatic is not known.
Although known for his violins, Wilkanowski also produced a limited number of archtop guitars. By 1942 he had sold 30 of these instruments, each unique in appointments and features, at $400 each. This price was in line with what was being charged for a D’Angelico New Yorker, or a Gibson Guitar Corporation
Super 400. There is no evidence of instruments made by Wilkanowski after 1943.
. The flattened oval was the standard shape on most guitars, although some featured a violin like scroll. The backs of most were one piece of flamed maple
(actually, the wood is often Po Valley Poplar, a figured cello tonewood that can resemble maple.)with no center joint. The finishing techniques included very light stain, or a violin color finish, and light sealer. The multiple layer binding was wooden, something fairly innovative at the time, and was raised above the level of the top and back plates. The f holes varied by instrument, standard shape, segmented, and later more modern cutouts appeared. Some of the Instruments displayed the name AIRWAY, some had a W on the headstock, and some remained unbranded. Some of the guitars carry serial numbers, a signature, or a label. Several are labeled Wilkanowski and Son, although nothing is known of the son's responsibility. One bearing this label was sold at the Johnny Cash
estate auction by Sotheby's
in 2004.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
-maker.
Early life
Wilkanowski was born in Poland in 1886. By the age of 17 he was a trained violin maker. After going to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he worked in the shops of Ditson (Boston) and Fred Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
(New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
).
Career in the USA
He was listed as a violin maker in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
by 1933, although at least one violin made in Brooklyn dates to 1924. From 1937 to 1941, he worked in both an era and a location renowned for the jazz guitar
Jazz guitar
The term jazz guitar may refer to either a type of guitar or to the variety of guitar playing styles used in the various genres which are commonly termed "jazz"...
. Gretsch offered Wilkanowski's work in a 1940 flyer with the text "his own personal work…no other hand touches them." His violins were offered from $50–150.
Wilkanowski is thought to have produced 5,000 violins and 100 viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
s, impressive numbers, by 1942. Some of the higher quality violins were marked with a W inlay, these instruments are thought to be entirely of his own making, while many of the others were made in the shops with assistants. The Gretsch Company released the Synchromatic line during the early 40’s also, which were also archtop guitar
Archtop guitar
An archtop guitar is a steel-stringed acoustic or semi-acoustic guitar with a full body and a distinctive arched top, whose sound is particularly popular with blues and jazz players.Typically, an archtop guitar has:* 6 strings...
s, but shared no other similarities with Wilkanowski guitars. His role in the Synchromatic is not known.
Although known for his violins, Wilkanowski also produced a limited number of archtop guitars. By 1942 he had sold 30 of these instruments, each unique in appointments and features, at $400 each. This price was in line with what was being charged for a D’Angelico New Yorker, or a Gibson Guitar Corporation
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
Super 400. There is no evidence of instruments made by Wilkanowski after 1943.
Features of his instruments
Most of the Wilkanowski guitars adhere to a standard shape. A few guitars do not adhere to the cello shape, but rather a more conventional archtop shape, without the cello-like points above the waist. The Wilkanowski headstock is thought to have been the main influence in the headstock for the current Ovation GuitarOvation Guitar
The Ovation Guitar Company, a holding of Kaman Music Corporation, is a guitar manufacturing company based in New Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Ovation primarily manufactures Steel-stringed acoustic guitars....
. The flattened oval was the standard shape on most guitars, although some featured a violin like scroll. The backs of most were one piece of flamed maple
Maple
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
(actually, the wood is often Po Valley Poplar, a figured cello tonewood that can resemble maple.)with no center joint. The finishing techniques included very light stain, or a violin color finish, and light sealer. The multiple layer binding was wooden, something fairly innovative at the time, and was raised above the level of the top and back plates. The f holes varied by instrument, standard shape, segmented, and later more modern cutouts appeared. Some of the Instruments displayed the name AIRWAY, some had a W on the headstock, and some remained unbranded. Some of the guitars carry serial numbers, a signature, or a label. Several are labeled Wilkanowski and Son, although nothing is known of the son's responsibility. One bearing this label was sold at the Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
estate auction by Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
in 2004.