Career in The USA
He was listed as a violin maker in Brooklyn 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 violas 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 guitars, 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.
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