SECOND-HAND INSTRUMENTS:
FULL SIZE VIOLINS Top
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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
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Labelled 'Fait sous la Direction de Paul Jombar Luthier 20 Rue Rochechouart
Paris' and dated 1935, but looks and smells too new for this date, so is probably a modern copy. Boldly
marked one piece back, medium arching, rich orange-brown varnish showing very slight crackling. There
are no visible repairs and the violin is in very good condition, though the varnish is worn on the
upper treble rib, on the back around the chinrest position and at the base of the pegbox where the
hand rests in first position. The sound is strong and clear but slightly nasal across the higher
strings and there is a slight and controllable wolf note around Bb on the E string which is not
apparent on other strings. The violin is quite loud. Dominant strings.
No. 424 in my book. £700. To view the fiddle
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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
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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
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A modern violin labelled 'Concetto Puglisi fecit in Catania l'anno 1923', but
probably made in China. One piece back with faint narrow figure, medium arching, orange-brown lightly
craquelled varnish. There are no visible repairs and the violin is in good condition, though there
are some marks on the varnish that may have been deliberately made to give the appearance of age.
With new strings the sound is very bright across all the strings, and this instrument needs careful
selection of smooth sounding strings and bow. The wrong strings can sound unbearably 'fizzy'. The
violin is nevertheless responsive and quite loud. Infeld Red strings seem to be a reasonable match.
No. 462 in my book. £500. To view the fiddle
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English violin by J.E.Hardwick, dated 1955, no.39. Faintly flamed
two-piece back, lowish arching, reddish-brown varnish. Good condition, but the back joint has
been repaired at some time. Warm, intimate sound; there is plenty of volume and tone but you
have to dig it out, so it's not for the tentative player! Now set up with Pro-Arte high tension
strings.
No. 316 in my book. £450. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Nicolaus Amatus Cremone Hieronymi Filii'. Probably early 20th
century French trade violin. Lightly flamed two-piece back, lowish arching, brown varnish. Fairly
good condition, one small crack below the treble f hole and some chips and scratches. The violin
is slightly undersize (a large 7/8 size rather than 4/4) and it has a narrow neck, so is more
suitable for someone with small hands. The sound is quite responsive and the violin has a good
dynamic range.The E string is strong and clear and the lower strings match volume, though there
is a slight clouding of the sound on the G. Pro-Arte light tension strings at present, but
medium tension strings should not be a problem.
No. 426 in my book. £425. To view the fiddle
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Labelled A.Salvator, Paris. Early 20th century Mirecourt violin, made by
J.Thibouville-Lamy & Cie. Lightly flamed two-piece back, lowish arching on a broadly Stadivarius
model, red varnish. Reasonable condition, no repairs but some chips and scratches. The sound is
responsive, a touch weak on the A (irrespective of soundpost position) and slightly hollow, but
nowhere shrill or nasal. Dominant strings
No. 228 in my book. £400. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Nicolaus Amati Cremone & Hieronymi filii' but actually French,
early 20th century. One-piece back, lowish arching on a broadly Stradivarius model, rather flakey
red varnish. Reasonable condition, no repairs but some chips and scratches. The sound is
responsive, fairly even, bright and tending towards harsh. Pro-Arte strings. A typical French
trade violin, both in appearance and sound. Careful bow and string matching will be needed to
get the best out of this potentially very respectable violin.
No. 378 in my book. £400. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Copie de Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis faciebat anno 1721',
actually French, early 20th century. Two piece back, medium arching on a broadly Stadivarius
model, red varnish. Reasonable condition, no repairs but a few chips and scratches. The sound is
responsive, fairly even, maybe a little thin on the E string, bright and tending towards harsh.
Projects well. Pro-Arte strings. A typical French trade violin, both in appearance and sound.
No. 395 in my book. £400. To view the fiddle
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Unlabelled French violin, early 20th century. Two piece back with strong and
attractive even flame, medium arching on a broadly Stadivarius model, golden varnish. Reasonable
condition, with a couple of edge repairs and some chips and scratches. The sound is responsive,
fairly even, tending towards bright. Projects well. Dominant strings. A fairly typical French trade
violin.
No. 329 in my book. £375. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Caspar Da Salo In Brescia', German, probably late 19th century.
Attractive two piece back, low but very full arching, rather dull golden varnish. Double purfled
and with a small scroll of one turn fewer than usual, to warrant the Brescian label. Reasonable
condition, a small wing crack but no major repairs. The sound is quite bright (not what you'd normally
expect from this model), a little growly and rough on the G string, quite loud and seems to project well.
Pro-Arte strings. Although slightly longer than average (360mm), this violin isn't as big as many
Brescian copies and will fit in a standard case.
No. 465 in my book. £375. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Compagnon', French, early 20th century. One piece plain back,
medium arching, red varnish. Reasonable cosmetic condition, but the belly has had woodworm and there
are significant repairs because of this. With new Dominant strings the sound is fairly responsive and
even, bright and tending towards harsh. Quite loud and seems to project well. Priced to allow
for its condition.
No. 458 in my book. £350. To view the fiddle
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German trade violin, labelled 'Carlo Bergonzi', late 19th century.
Two piece back with strong narrow flaming, moderate arching, dark reddish-brown varnish. No
repairs on the belly or back, some scratches and the A peg has been bushed. Good tone, quite
even and clear, fairly responsive. Dominant strings.
No. 247 in my book. £350. To view the fiddle
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Unlabelled German violin after Stradivarius. Probably circa 1900.
Lightly flamed two-piece back, medium to low arching, golden-brown varnish. Decent condition
with no cracks but some scratches. Tone fairly light and hard , with plenty of volume. Now
set up with Pro-Arte strings.
Number 401 in my book. £325. To view
the fiddle Click here
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Labelled 'Copie De Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis', an early 20th
century French trade violin. Nearly plain one back, medium arching, light brown varnish,
artificially antiqued. No cracks but some scratches and wear. Tone slightly soft edged on the
lower strings, with a touch of mellowness, but the E is rather hard in comparisom, though
matched for volume. Pro-Arte strings; a different E may prove to be necessary to achieve the
optimum sound.
Number 420 in my book. £325. To view
the fiddle Click here
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Labelled 'Copie De Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis', an early 20th
century French trade violin. Nearly plain two back, medium arching, dark golden brown varnish.
One crack below the treble f hole and some scratches and wear. Tone bright on the E, slightly
warmer on the lower strings. Reasonable volume. Pro-Arte strings.
Number 455 in my book. £300. To view
the fiddle Click here
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Unlabelled, probably German, mid or late 19th century. One-piece back,
moderate arching, brown varnish which is certainly not original. Cosmetically in good condition,
and with only a couple of minor repairs as far as I can see. Tone clear, slightly dark, easy on
the ear Reasonable volume. Dominant strings.
No. 453 in my book. £300. To view the fiddle
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Czech. copy of Antonius Stradivarius. Probably post-war.
Lightly flamed two-piece back, low arching, varnished orange-brown. Serial no. 1562 stamped
on the neck root, it probably belonged to one of the Royal Marine band schools at some time.
Scratches and some slightly flakey varnish but no major repairs. Darkish sound with Prelude
strings. I tried it with Dominants - they gave a brighter sound but less volume
No. 248 in my book. £275. To view the fiddle
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Unlabelled, probably German, circa 1900. Strad. model, one-piece back,
moderate arching, dark red-brown varnish. Lots of scratches but otherwise good condition. Tone
tends toward the thin and hard, but not unpleasantly so. Reasonable volume. I can't help
feeling that this should sound better than it does - some further experimenting with strings
and setup may be required. It's got Dominant strings at the moment.
No. 208 in my book. £275. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Richard Rubus, St. Petersbourg', but probably German, circa 1900.
Two piece back with bold flame, lowish arching, edges chamfered in the Russian fashion, reddish
varnish on light ground. Some scratches and wear on varnish but no repairs. Tone is quite mellow,
pleasant apart from a rather muffled D. Quiet as these rather small instruments often are. Prelude
strings. Suffers from all the usual problems with chin and shoulder rests that this idiosyncratic
model is prone to!
No number, please quote 'commission 1'. £250.
To view the fiddle Click here
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Unlabelled, probably German, circa 1910. Two piece back with a little faint
flame, lowish arching, dull golden-brown varnish. Long repaired crack in back but not under the
soundpost, some scratches. Fairly warm sound but not particularly full; could sound scratchy with
the wrong strings. Pro-Arte strings.
No. 432 in my book. £225. To view the fiddle
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Unlabelled, probably east European, mid 20th century. Two piece well flamed
back, medium arching, brown varnish. Reasonable condition, a small amount of woodworm damage.
Tone has some warmth, strong but a little coarse. Plenty of volume when pushed. More a fiddler's
than a classical player's instrument. Prelude strings
No. 418 in my book. £215. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Handmade copy of Otto Jos. Klier, Geigenbaumeister Bubenreuth
Germany, no. 2E, anno 2002'. Two piece back with faint figure, low to medium arching, red-brown
varnish. No repairs but there are some nicks on the lower treble side of the belly. Tone is clear
and clean, a little one dimensional, but may warm up a little as the strings bed in. Moderate
volume. Pro-Arte strings. A good instrument as a first step up from a Chinese starter kit. This
violin comes with a modern lightweight oblong case.
No. 463 in my book. £215. To view the fiddle
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Unlabelled, stamped Hopf on back, probably made circa 1900. One piece
lightly flamed back, low arching, brown varnish. Reasonable condition, no repairs but somewhat
scratched. Tone warm but rather soft and quiet, inoffensive. A good beginners instrument, not
for the budding soloist! Prelude strings
No. 414 in my book. £200. To view the fiddle
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Labelled 'Stainer Made in Germany' and stamped Stainer on back, probably
made circa 1890. Two piece flamed back, typical (for a Stainer copy) abrupt and rather high
arching, dark golden-brown varnish. Average condition, a couple of minor cracks, but it has
clearly come apart at some time and has been glued up effectively but rather crudely. Tone
slightly harsh and boxy, but reasonable at the price. Needs smooth sounding strings, currently
Preludes.
No. 357 in my book. £200. To view the fiddle
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Shimro Strad Model, made 1994. Korean. Two piece back with faint figure,
moderate arching, orange varnish. Very good condition. Tone thinnish, sounds as though it would
benefit from more playing. Pro-Arte strings.
No. 267 in my book. £180. To view the fiddle
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Unlabelled Saxon violin, probably late 19th century. Two piece back with
faint figure, moderate arching, stange orangey-gold varnish. One ugly repaired crack under the
tailpiece and lots of minor scratches. Tone is a little boxy and hard, but fairly full and reasonable
at the price. Prelude strings.
No. 457 in my book. £160. To view the fiddle
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I also usually have a number of complete outfits suitable for beginners at prices between
£65 and £150
SMALL SIZE VIOLINS Top
- Three-quarter size labelled 'Jerome Thibouville-Lamy', French, early
20th century. Back length 338mm. One piece plain back, scratch purfling, red varnish. A few scratches
and the end of one corner broken off, but no repairs that I can see. A big sound, a little coarse on
the G and slightly harsh on the E but more 'full-size' than many 3/4 violins. Pro-Arte strings.
loud.
No. 460 in my book. £225. To view the fiddle
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- Three-quarter size labelled 'Jerome Thibouville-Lamy' but probably
Czech, mid 20th century. Back length 338mm. Two piece back of strong narrow flame,
medium arching, brown varnish. A few scratches, one repaired crack running up from the bass f
hole. The sound is rather dark and mellow, a little weak on the E string, otherwise fairly
loud.
No. 332 in my book. £160. To view the fiddle
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Three-quarter size German violin, labelled 'The School
Violin', Rushworth and Dreaper. Probably 1920's. Back length 330mm. High
arched belly, back less so. Two-piece back with horizontal medium flame,
brown varnish. Pegbox has cracked at the A peg, which has been bushed.
Tone is ok but a bit thin, not very loud.
No. 144 in my book. £140. To view the fiddle
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Three-quarter size German or Czech. violin, unlabelled. Probably circa 1930.
Back length 335mm. Medium arching. Two-piece back with horizontal medium flame, dark orange-brown
varnish. No repairs but the varnish is chipped in places and is starting to crack. Tone is pleasant,
fairly warm but rather quiet. Pro-Arte strings
No. 365 in my book. £140. To view the fiddle
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Three-quarter size German violin, unlabelled. Probably circa 1920, and
originally labelled 'The Maidstone'. Back length 335mm. Medium to low arching. One piece back with
horizontal broad flame, dark red, rather opaque, varnish. Lots of scratches and chips but no cracks.
Tone is ok, even but not particularly rich or full, not very loud. Prelude strings
No. 444 in my book. £140. To view the fiddle
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Three-quarter size German violin, unlabelled. Probably circa 1900. Back
length 335mm. Medium arching. Two-piece back with horizontal medium flame, orange-brown varnish.
Pegbox has cracked at the A peg, which has been bushed, the corners and f hole wings have been
knocked about, and the varnish is very chipped on the treble side. Tone is ok, slightly hard and
thin, not very loud. Prelude strings
No. 388 in my book. £125. To view the fiddle
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Half size French violin, labelled 'The Professor Violin. Hawkes & Son' and
dated 1927. Back length 311mm. Medium arching, two-piece back with broad flame,amber varnish.
There are no major repairs, but the varnish has been badly chipped on the belly and a corner has
been replaced. Tone is pleasant, warm and full, not as open, clear or powerful as you'd get
from a full-size 'Professor', but better than most instruments of this size. Pro-Arte strings
No number, please quote 'Maynard'. £750. To view the fiddle
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Half size German violin, labelled 'Antonius Stradivarius. Deutsche Arbeit,
1886'. Back length 314mm. Medium arching, two-piece back with horizontal rather broad flame,
red-brown varnish. There is a large repaired soundpost crack in the belly, along with a couple
of other cracks, and I have fitted a new bass bar. Tone is pleasant and warm but not very loud.
Dominant strings
No. 348 in my book. £160. To view the fiddle
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I usually have second-hand beginners outfits (mostly Chinese) in sizes down to 1/8, at prices
from £50.00 to £100.00
VIOLAS Top
New violas and outfits are available to order from the Primavera range.
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Labelled 'Copie de Stradivarius 7 Made by Cyril Tucker Wilmington Kent 1976. Length of back
416mm. Two-piece back with moderate figure, full medium to high arching arching, golden-brown
oil varnish. No repairs and in excellent condition. Tone is reasonable, but the instrument
sounds very tight, and it's hard work to get it to go loud. Pro-Arte strings. The instrument
shows virtually no signs of wear, and I wonder how much it has been played in the 30 years since
it was made!
Number 376 in my book. £725.00. To view
the viola Click here
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Labelled 'Cav. Rossi Guiseppe da Cittadella (Padova)', a modern viola of unknown origin.
Length of back 395mm. Two-piece back with moderate figure, quite full medium arching, thin brown
varnish. No repairs, some light antiqueing and some genuine signs of use. Tone is quite warm and
pleasantly refined, but it is not as loud as some instruments. Tonica strings. The instrument
is very neat and well-made but shows no signs of it's origin. There is a previous label under the
visible one.
Number 419 in my book. £700.00. To view
the viola Click here
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Unlabelled modern viola, possibly amateur made. Length of back 407mm. Two-piece back with
moderate figure, quite low arching, golden-brown oil varnish. No repairs and in
excellent condition. A decent strong viola tone, maybe a little hard on the A and D strings, and
plenty of volume. Dominant strings. There is no sign of wear on the instrument so it could be
quite new. It is very neatly made but the varnishing is slightly uneven.
Number 392 in my book. £500.00. To view
the viola Click here
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Unlabelled mid 20th Century German or Czech. viola. Length of back 392mm. Two piece back with a
little irregular figure, low to medium arching, red-brown varnish. No cracks or repairs that I can see.
The tone is reasonably full, a little 'steely' probably due to the Superflexible strings. This viola
is sold with a nickel mounted pernambuco viola bow stamped W R Schuster (weight 64 grams) in good
condition but needing a rehair, and a 1970's shaped hard case.
No number, please quote 'Perkin'. £400. To view the
fiddle Click here
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Labelled 'Copie De Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis faciebat anno 1721' and also with a J.
Thibouville-Lamy label. French, early 20th century. Length of back 407mm. Two piece back with
a little faint figure, low arching, scratch line instead of purfling, brown varnish. One small
crack at the lower treble corner, otherwise in good condition. The tone is clear and strong on
the higher strings, a little less clear at the bottom, nowhere particularly warm. Prelude strings.
No. 429 in my book. £325. To view the fiddle
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Unlabelled Late 19th Century German viola. Length of back 394mm. One piece back with a little
faint figure, low arching, light golden brown varnish. No cracks or repairs that I can see.
The varnish on some of the ribs is poor and I suspect it has been kept in the damp in the past.
The tone is unexceptional, rather quiet and 'dead', and the instrument is heavy for its size. A
better than average second-hand case is included in the price
No. 369 in my book. £200. To view the fiddle
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'Golden Strad', modern Hungarian viola. Length of back 393mm.
Two piece back with simulated flame, medium to low arching, light brown varnish with a
distinct olive tinge. I have had to reglue several of the joints and some of the linings but
there are no cracks. The varnish on the back is poor and I suspect it has been kept in the
damp in the past. Reasonable tone and volume for a cheap viola, but a little 'dead' - it
doesn't ring out.
No. 172 in my book. £160. To view the fiddle
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'Tatra by Rosetti, Stradivarius model', modern Czech viola. Length of back 392mm.
Two piece almost plain back, lowish arching, light brown varnish, darker in the centre.
Good condition, with no repairs. Reasonable tone for a cheap viola, but a little quiet due to
the low bridge, itself due to a rather low neck angle. Piranito strings
No. 199 in my book. £160. To view the fiddle
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I sometimes have violas available at less than £150.00
'CELLOS Top
New 'cello outfits are available to order from the Primavera range. Prices start from £315.00
for 4/4 size instruments.
- Unlabelled modern 'cello, attributed to the brothers Hoddinott, Bere Regis. Length of back
758mm. Built on a fairly broad model, plain back cut on the slab, belly also slab cut, low arching,
ebony fittings, attractive golden varnish. This instrument is in good condition though there is one
repaired crack. The sound is full and warm, maybe a little soft in quality, though not in volume.
Fitted with Jargar soft strings. The attribution comes via the auctioneers; I can find no indication
of a maker in the instrument, but it is typical of mid 20th century British making.
Number 436 in my book. £800.00.
To view Click here
Unlabelled modern 'cello, probably East German. Length of back 762mm. Low arching, laminated
belly, back and ribs, ebony fittings, red-brown varnish. This instrument is in very good
condition. The sound is full but rather hard edged, possibly due to the Precision strings.
This instrument is supplied with a cover and a P&H bow.
No number, please quote "Silke". £450.00.
To view Click here
Labelled 'Artia' Boosey & Hawkes, probably Czech, 1970's. Length of back 759mm. Low arching,
Solid spruce belly, laminated back and ribs, stained wood fittings, dark brown varnish. This
instrument is in sound but shabby condition. There is a button repair and what may be a
soundpost crack in the belly (or may only be a varnish crack). Whatever, it seems to be stable.
The sound is clear, rather hard edged but no weaknesses. Prelude strings.
Number 390 in my book. £225.00.
To view Click here
Labelled 'Artia model 415' Boosey & Hawkes, probably Czech, 1980's. 3/4 size: Length of back
715mm. Low to medum arching, solid spruce belly, solid plain maple back and ribs, ebony fittings,
golden brown varnish. This instrument is in sound but shabby condition: the neck has been out but
the old repair seems stable. The sound is pleasant but quite hard edged, partly due to the Dogal
Green label strings.
Number 326 in my book. £250.00.
To view Click here
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