This page last updated 15th December 2011
FULL SIZE VIOLINS £500 and over
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Good modern English violin labelled 'George Moon Croyden 1987'. Nicely flamed two piece back, full
medium arching, golden brown varnish. Excellent condition apart from some dulling of the rather soft varnish. Strong clear sound,
quite full on the G, slightly hard on the E but nicely responsive, plenty of volume. I've fitted Pirastro Aricore strings to
add to the richness of the lower strings.
No. 528 in my book. £675. 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. Infeld Red strings have added a little more depth to the tone. 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, very 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, slightly hollow on some notes, with plenty of
volume. Dominant strings. This violin is being sold on behalf of a customer, and comes with a black wooden
case and a pernambuco bow, stamped 'Muhl', recently rehaired and reconditioned.
No number, please quote 'commission 8' £590. To view the fiddle Click here
Labelled in manuscript 'Frederick France London 1889'. I can find no details of this
maker, but the instrument is undoubtedly English and of that period. One piece back with faint figure, medium
arching, thick purfling, thin red varnish, much worn away. No repairs that I can detect. The sound is clear, but a
little thin and hard. The violin is not particularly responsive but there is a good range of tone colour if you
work at it, and sufficient volume. Thomastik Vision strings. An idiosyncratic instrument, probably by an amateur
maker, though I see certain similarities with instruments by J. K. Monk, a known London maker of the period.
No.510 in my book £550. 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
Labelled 'Copie De "Strad" fecit France anno', stamped JTL on the top block. Probably dates from
the 1920s. Plain one piece back, medium to low arching, red varnish. I've fitted a new fingerboard and repaired a broken
corner and edge; I can't see any old repairs. The sound is good and clear, quite 'middle of the road' but maybe lacking
in warmth; goes loud easily. D'Addario Zyex strings. A decent basic French trade violin.
No.529 in my book £500. To view the fiddle Click here
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