Archive

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

Mirecourt’s new masters: contemporary violin making in Mirecourt

Eugène Nicolas Sartory: the modern classic of bow making

Violin makers and masters: archive "G-I"

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

Jan Špidlen: Art, innovation – and sport

The violin bow: a brief depiction of its history

Roland Baumgartner, Basel: an expert dedicated to antique violins

German 3/4 violin. Saxony, Friedrich Herpel

This German 3/4 violin is an extraordinarily well preserved and beautiful instrument that was made in the 1920s by an unknown violin maker in Saxony. The original label "Friedrich Herpel Herford" refers presumably to a dealer near the German city of Hannover. The medium grained spruce of the top and the mildly flamed maple of the two-piece back are premium tonewoods, with a beautiful texture that is enhanced by the light-brown colored, glossy and shimmering varnish, that bears only very few traces of use. The instrument is in excellent, almost mint condition and was thoroughly worked over by our luthier, who made it ready to unfold its bright, open sound, that is rich in overtones, with a comfortably warm character.