This page last updated 4th January 2010
FULL SIZE VIOLINS £500 and over
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By and labelled 'Maistru Lutier Nagy Pavel Reghin - Romania', numbered 170 and
dated 1983. Strongly flamed two piece back, medium arching, orange varnish. Good condition, some
wear on the varnish! Strong clear, bright sound, fairly even across the strings, nicely responsive,
lots of volume. Vision strings enhance the clarity.
No. 391 in my book. £725. To view the fiddle Click here
A modern violin labelled 'Magistrum Admirans Cremonae' and signed H Cavalli, but
probably made in China. Boldly marked two piece back, medium arching, rich golden-brown varnish, heavily
antiqued. There are no visible repairs and the violin is in good condition, though there are some marks
on the varnish that are not part of the antiqueing. With new strings the sound is strong and clear,
reasonably rich at the bottom, brighter through the middle range but with a slightly shrill open E string.
The violin is quite loud. Tonica strings.
No. 459 in my book. £650. To view the fiddle Click here
Labelled 'The Apollo', Rushworth and Dreaper, Liverpool. Style 9, no.1940.
Probably made for Rushworth & Dreaper in Germany and dating from the 1930s. Two piece back with narrow
figure, medium arching, light red-brown varnish. No sign of repairs but the edges and corners are worn
and the varnish on the belly has been retouched to cover bad scrapes and scratches. The sound is hard but
not harsh, and although there a good range of tone colour, it does require a bit of work as the instrument
is not as responsive as it might be. The sound is also very tight, suggesting that it hasn't been played
for some years. Helicore strings. The Apollos are good, reliable violins, but this is not the best example
I have seen, hence the relatively low price.
No. 481 in my book. £650. To view the fiddle Click here
Labelled 'Caspar da Salo in Brescia', but made in Germany and dating from the end of
the 19th century. Two piece back with narrow figure, medium to low arching, light golden brown varnish,
which is not original. One corner of the belly has been repaired and the neck may have been out at some time.
The original varnish appears to have been very dark brown, but now only exists around the joints and in
the crevices of the scroll and pegbox. The sound is strong, rather dark, lacking warmth, with plenty of
volume. Prelude strings. This violin is being sold on behalf of a customer, and comes with a black wooden
case and a pernambuco bow, stamped 'Muhl' which needs rehairing but it otherwise in reasonable condition.
No number, please quote 'commission 8' £575. To view the fiddle Click here
Unlabelled violin of unknown origin, possibly dating from early / mid 19th
century. Faintly flamed two-piece back, lowish arching, light golden varnish. Fair condition, one
crack either side of the lower belly, and cracking on the upper bass side rib. Strong
clear sound with lots of volume; maybe a little lacking in fullness on the G string. Dominant
strings.
I really have no idea as to the origin of this violin. The internal construction is good, and reminds me of good German violins, but the outside, particularly the purfling, appears to be the work of an amateur. The bass bar is shallow but of reasonable length, as can be found on early 19th century violins, but the neck angle is modern and doesn't appear to have been altered. However, the sound is good and justifies the price regardless of origin.
No. 406 in my book. £500. To view the fiddle Click here
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