{"id":1752,"date":"2010-02-24T10:54:17","date_gmt":"2010-02-24T17:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/?page_id=1752"},"modified":"2023-01-09T10:01:18","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T18:01:18","slug":"jk-graslitz","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/vintage-saxes\/european-made-saxes\/julius-keilwerth\/jk-graslitz\/","title":{"rendered":"JK – Graslitz"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Julius<\/a>
Logo used during the company’s time in Graslitz. Source: eBay.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Company’s Beginnings In Graslitz, B\u00f6hmen<\/span><\/p>\n

The Julius Keilwerth company was founded in Graslitz in 1925, when Julius (12.04.1894 \u2013 14.11.1962) started making alto and tenor saxophones. Once these 2 saxophone types were extremely successful, he began making sopranos, baritones, and, upon special order, bass saxes.<\/p>\n

As saxophone production grew, so did Keilwerth’s staff numbers. Soon 100 employees worked in the Keilwerth factory, and an additional 50 were homeworkers. With 150 workers, Keilwerth was the largest saxophone manufacturer in Germany in 1939.\u00b9<\/p>\n

From the earliest days of the company, Julius Keilwerth wanted to ensure that his products had the highest quality level possible. He focused his company solely on saxophones, as well as accessory items such as cases, mouthpieces, reeds, etc. Interestingly enough, the Keilwerth company produced its own pads (without resos) until the 1970s. (Once they decided to introduced resonators into their horns, they first went with Prestini, and then later with Pisoni.)<\/p>\n

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Early Models<\/span><\/p>\n

The early Graslitz horns were named King and Toneking.<\/p>\n

\"Julius<\/a>
J.K. King tenor made in Graslitz (Kraslice), Serial #: 3227. Source: eBay.de<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Julius<\/a>
J.K. Toneking alto made in Graslitz (Kraslice), Serial #: 3078. Source: 134fe22 on eBay.de<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These horns had split bell keys, and when factoring in finish options, in total, were available in 98 different versions!<\/strong> Finish options ranged from bare brass with no engraving, to multiple dips in gold plate, with full pearl treatment.<\/p>\n

The saxophone varieties broke down as follows:<\/p>\n