Archive

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

H. R. Pfretzschner – a biographical sketch

The best contemporary violin makers from China and Taiwan

Savoir-faire: The Chanot family of luthiers

Electric violins: a guide to technical standards and quality characteristics

Other families of Klingenthal violin makers

Samuel Zygmuntowicz: understanding Stradivarius in New York

Vatelot-Rampal: on the art of healing violins

German oil varnished violin from Saxony, approx. 1940

This beautiful older German violin was built in the 1940's, a very beautiful and crackfree preserved instrument that its former owners obviously loved to play: Traces of use on the top and a center joint repair indicate the intensive use by musicians. Tastefully rounded edges, soft flutings and accurately crafted purfling are good references for the educated skills of the unknown violin-maker. Shining orange-yellow varnish over a lighter ground determines the character of the violin and attractively underlines the mild flaming of the two-piece maple back. The violin was completely worked over by our luthiers and is offered ready to play, with a warm, bright sound, that is open and rich in overtones.