Antique German Violin, 4/4, provenance unknown, perhaps French influence (FFE-02)

The age of this violin is estimated at approximately 100 years, plus or minus. It is a wonderfully preserved, most likely German violin; however, the black accenting of the scroll edges is an affectation of the French. More than that is difficult to say. There is no label. It appears to be along the lines of a Stradivari model.The top is of a consistently straight and narrow-grained spruce. The ribs and one-piece back are of a figure often referred to as "bird's eye" maple.  However, in this case, that would be incorrect. The figure here is more accurately referred to as "quilted" maple, and it has a beautiful, subdued effect on the eye of the viewer. The neck is of a well-flamed tiger maple flame. The varnish is in very good shape and is of a medium to dark reddish brown finish. The violin is light and well carved, with a very nicely shaped scroll. Everything about this violin speaks of quality.

Sometime in its distant past, the violin sustained a top crack, running up alongside the bass F hole. Fortunately, it was never a bass bar crack, and it has been sealed and re-touched.

This violin has undergone re-graduation, new bass bar, and a complete proper set-up, which includes a new bridge, D'Addario Zyex strings, bone saddle, ebony nut and a high quality, tightly grained ebony fingerboard, hand-carved ebony pegs with gold appointments, pegs and ebony end pin. The tailpiece is a Wittner carbon graphite piece with gold-colored tuners built in. These new "space-age composite" graphite tailpieces are terrific. They are light, bring out tone, and are very well constructed. The tailcord is a Wittner steel tailcord. I use them on my own violins. They never stretch, are very light and thin, improve tone, and are very very strong. 

TONE: This fiddle is light and plays easily. More importantly, it has such a clean, big sound. The tone is expansive, the note separation is excellent, the sound is evenly distributed across the strings. The low strings are clear, woody, vibrant, powerful and sonorous; the high strings are clean, sweet and bell-like. The tone has settled between dark and bright in a very balanced way.

Sound Sample: Please be forbearing and keep in mind that I am no Paganini! This was recorded with a humble iPhone; if you do not have a sophisticated sound system on your computer, try to use headphones so that you can hear as much as possible what is being played. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi9FIPjHB6g

**As a rule, we do not include chinrests when a violin is purchased. We've found that customers are very picky about that, as they well should be. There is nothing worse than an uncomfortable chinrest. Many players prefer their own chinrests, and there are hundreds of different models out there. If you are a brand new player or someone who would be happy to receive a "Guarneri style" chinrest, we will include one at your request.

TERMS OF SALE: Filius Fiddles, LLC guarantees all violins sold are functional and playable right out of the box. Any repairs done on the instrument are guaranteed upon arrival, less any abuse or negligence on the part of the owner. Starting from the date of delivery, you have two weeks during which to try out your new fiddle, let it settle in, make any string changes if so desired, and play it in different venues so that you can get a good idea of its ability. Should you care to return or exchange it during that two-week period, no problem! The buyer pays for return shipping. As long as there is no change in the integrity of the instrument, no sign of negligence or new damage, a full refund will be sent.

Also, after that two-week period, should you wish to exchange the violin for one of equal or greater value, that is doable. Simply contact me and we can make that happen.