Josef Muller

History

Josef Muller (1850-c.1925) was born in 1850 and died around 1925 in Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic. Sources contain conflicting information about Josef Muller's father. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was the son and pupil of Andreas Müller, a wind instrument maker and dealer. Conversely, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart states he was the son of the brass instrument maker Vincenz Müller. Josef Muller was a distinguished flautist and maker and repairer of brass and woodwind instruments. He succeeded to his father's shop in 1873 and expanded the business into the making and repair of stringed instruments from 1880. He was succeeded by his son, also named Andreas.

Craft

• Instrument Production: Josef Muller produced or retailed generally inexpensive commercial copies of instruments by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Stainer.
• Models: He worked after models by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Caspar da Salò, as well as his own experimental models which differed in outline.
• Materials & Treatments: He selected good wood and attempted improved varnish formulations and wood treatments, principally water-seasoning the timber and sometimes using lime-water.
• Innovation: He invented a "double soundboard" (Doppel-Resonanzboden) "to improve the tone" and held a series of patents.
• Bows: He also made bows of good commercial quality.

Influence

• Mentorship: Sources contain conflicting information about Josef Muller's father. According to John Dilworth, he was the son and pupil of Andreas Müller, a wind instrument maker and dealer. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, however, identifies his father as Vincenz Müller, a brass instrument maker.
• Musical Training: From the age of twelve, he was trained as a musician, primarily learning the flute, but also brass and string instruments. As a musician, he traveled through Bohemia and a large part of Germany.

Legacy

• Awards: Josef Muller received medals from all major exhibitions since 1881.
• Family Continuity: He was succeeded in his business by his son, Andreas.

Further Information

• Label: His instruments bear the label "Josef Müller, Schönbach b.Eger i. Böhm: / K.K. ausschl. privilegierte / Musikinstrumenten- & Saiten-Fabrikation."
• Workshop Location: Other violin makers with the same family name were active in Schönbach.

Summary

Josef Muller (1850-c.1925) was a distinguished flautist and instrument maker from Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic. Initially trained in wind instrument making under his father, he expanded his business in 1880 to include the production and repair of stringed instruments. He created commercial copies of renowned makers like Stradivari and Guarneri, alongside experimental models, and pursued innovations in wood treatment and varnish. Muller held several patents, including one for a "double soundboard," and received numerous exhibition medals. He was succeeded by his son, Andreas.