Jaw Harp Manufactory Wimmer-Bades

The Jaw Harp Manufactory Wimmer-Bades (Maultrommelmanufaktur Wimmer-Bades) is a family-run Austrian workshop based in Molln, Upper Austria, dedicated to the traditional hand-forging of jaw harps (Maultrommeln). According to its own account, the family has forged the Molln jaw harp since the 17th century, and the business describes itself as continuing the craft across twelve generations. The workshop operates from Im Sperrboden 1 in Molln and presents itself as a manufactory combining craftsmanship and tradition, with the tagline "Handwerk & Tradition seit 17. Jhdt" (craft and tradition since the 17th century). The jaw harp is one of the oldest musical instruments in the world, and Molln is described by the manufactory as the European centre of its production. The Wimmer-Bades workshop makes each instrument entirely by hand at the anvil, using fire, patience and decades of experience, and states that its output is "100% handwork, 100% Made in Austria." The product range covers jaw harps in various sizes, tunings and finishes, individually tuned for a clear and powerful sound, and is aimed at beginners, advanced players and professional musicians. The workshop also offers single pieces and special custom-made instruments, and has issued a special edition referencing the 15th century alongside its historical models. Beyond manufacturing, the business positions itself as a source of knowledge about the instrument, offering information and practical guidance on how to play the jaw harp, and selling directly through its website. The craft of Molln jaw harp making is recognised as intangible UNESCO cultural heritage, a status the workshop highlights in its self-description. The patron saint of Molln jaw harp makers is Saint Barbara, whose portrait adorns the old guild flag of the Jew's Harp Producers Association. Ownership and management are family-based. Roland Bades, described as a jaw harp maker specialising in single and custom orders and forged jaw harps, continues the workshop with the same passion as his father-in-law Franz Wimmer, who previously lived the craft. Florian Bades is also named as a jaw harp maker who grew up with the instrument. The company is a small private operation rather than a listed corporation, and its legal notice lists the publisher as Maultrommelmanufaktur Wimmer-Bades with Austrian UID/ATU number 41219908. Its market is primarily Austria and Europe, extended by online sales and the instrument's international reputation.

The Jaw Harp Manufactory Wimmer-Bades traces its craft to the 17th century in Molln, Upper Austria, a town that the workshop describes as the European centre of jaw harp production. According to the manufactory, Molln is not the only place in the world where jaw harps are made, but it is the only place where the old craft of jaw harp making has been practised and documented continuously from the beginning of the 17th century to the present day. The family states that the Molln jaw harp has been forged in its family since the 17th century and that it continues the craft across twelve generations. The instrument itself is one of the oldest in the world, and its history in Molln is bound up with local legend and guild tradition. A popular legend tells of a condemned sinner named Barbara who was promised remission of the death penalty if she invented something special, completely new and useful; she is said to have produced the first jaw harp out of wood, whose tones persuaded her judges to keep their promise and free her. In lasting remembrance, the Jew's Harp Producers Association chose Saint Barbara as its patron saint, and her portrait adorns its old guild flag. The workshop is a family business. Franz Wimmer is named as the master craftsman who lived the trade before the current generation, and Roland Bades, his son-in-law, continues the workshop with the same passion, focusing on single and custom orders, precise forging and the preservation of traditional techniques. Florian Bades, who grew up with the jaw harp, is also a jaw harp maker in the business. The manufactory presents itself as a family operation with heart and soul, making every jaw harp exclusively in its workshop in Molln, at the anvil, piece by piece, forged with fire, patience and decades of experience. In the present day the business combines manufacturing with direct-to-customer online sales and education. Its website offers hand-made jaw harps in various sizes, tunings and finishes, each individually tuned, alongside knowledge and practical instructions for playing the instrument, aimed at beginners, advanced players and professional musicians. It has also issued a special edition referencing the 15th century. The workshop highlights that the craft of Molln jaw harp making is intangible UNESCO cultural heritage, and it markets its output as 100% handwork and 100% Made in Austria. The legal notice identifies the publisher as Maultrommelmanufaktur Wimmer-Bades, Im Sperrboden 1, 4591 Molln, with Austrian UID/ATU number 41219908.

• 1600

  Beginning of documented jaw harp making in Molln, the craft the workshop continues.

• 1600

  The Wimmer-Bades family states it has forged the Molln jaw harp since the 17th century.

• Special edition jaw harp referencing the 15th century made available.

Traditional, family-run Austrian manufactory producing 100% hand-made, 100% Made in Austria Molln jaw harps, positioned at the intersection of craftsmanship, cultural heritage and musician-focused quality.

• Hand-forged Molln jaw harps

  Traditionally hand-made jaw harps in various sizes, tunings and finishes, individually tuned for a clear and powerful sound.

• Custom and single-piece jaw harps

  Single and special custom-made instruments, a focus of Roland Bades.

• Special edition jaw harp (15th century reference)

  A special edition jaw harp offered by the manufactory.

1. 1Startseite - Maultrommel Wimmer-Badesmaultrommel.at
2. 2Geschichte Molln und die Maultrommel - Heilige Barbara - Maultrommel Wimmer-Badesmaultrommel.at
3. 3Impressum - Maultrommel Wimmer-Badesmaultrommel.at
4. 4Maultrommelmanufaktur Wimmer-Bades – Handgefertigte Mollner Maultrommeln seit dem 17. Jahrhundertmaultrommel.at
5. 5Jaw Harp manufactory Wimmer-Bades - Wikidatawikidata.org