Gerhard Dotzauer
Video
Oral History Information
Interview Date
Job Title
Senior Manager
Company Name
Dotzauer Mandolins
Gerhard Dotzauer has made a living selling musical instrument parts to companies worldwide. He provides bridges, exotic woods, machine heads, and specializes in necks for banjos with mother of pearl and abalone inlays for such companies as Baldwin and Gibson, among many others. He sources these high-quality parts from companies in the Bubenreuth region of Germany known for its production of stringed instruments after 1945. Originally from Schönbach, in the Czech Republic, Gerhard Dotzauer is a descendent from a family of luthiers. His son, Thomas, is the 5th generation carrying on the family tradition and has made a name for himself building electric and mandolin guitars.