Archive

More detailed information about stringed instruments and the history of violin making.

Nicolas Lupot, the second great name in French violin making

Matthias Klotz and pre-modern violin making in Mittenwald

International violin making competitions: Ente Triennale Cremona, Concours Etienne Vatelot, VSA competition, Mittenwald violin making competition and other contests

John Dodd: a legend of oyster shells and silver spoons

The Hopf violin: a dynasty of Vogtland violin makers

Eric Blot, the expert of Cremona and Italian violin making

François Nicolas Voirin and the new French violin bow

Claude A. Thomassin, fine French violin bow (certificate J. F. Raffin)

This French violin bow by Claude Thomassin is a fine bow with a perfect weight distribution which will satisfy the highest standards. It creates a bright and voluminous magnitude and warmth. Claude Thomassin crafted the solid round stick of the finest reddish pernambuco around 1920, at which time his atelier in Paris had been in business for 19 years. A former employee of the legendary Gand & Bernardel company, Claude Thomassin had long since established an excellent name for himself when this bow was produced, and contemporary scholars still consider him to be one of the best bow makers of his time. The stick of this violin bow was given his original stamp, the silver mounted ebony frog by Morizot and adjuster are later additions - therefore the low price - truly negligible, especially in light of the musical greatness of this bow. The balance point of this bow is centred and broad; it measures 25.8 cm of the total length of 74.5 cm, and the total weight is a pleasant 58.2 g. Our restoration specialists have set it up completely and made it ready to play. The price includes a certificate of authenticity by J.-F. Raffin.