Dwight Brown

Peter of Mantua. That is the one Stern talked about. DLB

An old friend plays the ex-Szegetti Peter Guarneri. I guess he had a few clubs in his golf bag. DLB

Both. DLB

https://tarisio.com/auctions/auction/lot/?csid=2198863872&cpid=3538223104&filter_key= Before I rob the bank. What do you folks think? Doable? DLB

It looks well loved in any case. Wish I could say the same for me :-) DLB

Please, I am nothing of any importance. If you speak to Josh, I'm sure he will talk with you. I have been fascinated with the C-C violin for years and Josh has been very kind to put up with me! The violin and viola were very successful. Check out his web site . I had a crappy day at school and I decided to have a double scotch or two of rather expensive single malt :-) Yours respectfully, DLB

They only have top and bottom blocks. I have a violin and a viola based on the C-C both made by Joshua Beyer (he is a member of Maestronet) This link may be of some use to you. https://helenviolinmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Trade-Secrets-Oct-07-high-res.pdf Josh was able to spend time with the C-C Strad at Bein and Fushi so He did see the original up close, measure it and photograph it. https://beyerlutherie.com DLB

David Samuels DLB

http://www.isabellesviolins.org/ I rather enjoyed this website with descriptions of her instruments. She takes a different tack in documenting and describing her collection and is a skilled web designer. DLB

If it is an instrument for you to play I would suggest that you do not look for an instrument by a particular maker. Go to reputable dealers and try out instruments in your price range and see what you like. "Investing" in instruments and bows, except for the very rich ,is a bit of a fools errand. I own a number of modern violins and violas by good and even great makers, I play them all and enjoy them but I really never plan on making any money from them, in fact I will give them all away some day. You may want to wait for the fall auctions with real auction houses with reputations and histories. Tarisio has one in New York and one in London coming up. I have found them to be trustworthy and easy to work with. Don't get in a big hurry, that is a formula for rather expensive mistakes. DLB

I have once again proven that I can't see anything! DLB

Arching a bit full for 1699? DLB

The top is not made of the same wood as the rest of the instrument The top is spruce and the back, ribs, and neck are maple (usually). Spruce doesn't usually show that kind of figure although it can show a little. DLB

Looks fine. A little light antiquing accounts for the marks. The back shows locator pins on the top and bottom, they aren't nails. Some makers use them to get the back plate re-alinged with the ribs after carving the back. For the money I would play it and not worry about it. Now go practice :-) DLB

So kind of you to post this. Very nice to watch John Dilworth work. I own a viola he made for me and I was thinking that he used the same tools to make my instrument. DLB