Archive

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

Joseph Hel: a master in the Vuillaume tradition

Samuel Zygmuntowicz: understanding Stradivarius in New York

Noteworthy families of Markneukirchen violin makers

Stradivari's heirs: Contemporary violin makers in Cremona

Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy – J.T. L.

J. & A. Beare and Beares, London: expertise during changing times

The second phase: the more recent history of violin making in western Bohemia

1920's German violin by Otto Ebner, Augsburg

Made later in the career of master craftsman Otto Ebner from Augsburg, this German violin from Otto Ebner is distinguished by its individuality and maturity. Ebner was born in the Vogtland region and learned his trade in Markneukirchen; he then worked at F. C. Louis' famous Saarbrücken workshop and gradually made his way to Georg Piegendorfer in Augsburg, one of the most interesting figures in late 19th-century German violin making. After Piegendorfer's death in 1906, Otto Ebner took on the studio and proved to be a worthy successor who set self-assured accents in his work, which was patterned after the Stradivari model. The design of this instrument is quite broad, the purfling which is typically made in the Vogtland tradition complements the antiqued rark red-brown varnish that highlights the fine grains of the wood of the top and the mildly flamed maple back. Otto Ebner's meticulous style produced a violin with a delicately balanced tone that has precision and strength; the instrument is very responsive and rich in overtones. It was worked over by our experienced luthier and is offered ready to play.

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