CT Dolan

Brian, I am very happy to see you here. I've always been a great respecter of your work, but even more so of your person (to the extent I can know either from a distance, of course, but you have shown yourself very worthy with regard to each). I don't hang around as much as I once did (too acidic, the air often becomes), but every now and then do drop in, and this is one moment I am glad I did. Thanks for coming around. :-) Chris

Thanks for sharing the images...as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and the two you have shared say quite a lot!!!

When you consider that new work of Sam's goes for the bottom end of the estimate, and add to this the provenance (a 'Plowden' copy, a model Sam is most likely most qualified to realize, all made for Ruggiero Ricci no less), I think they're spot on with the estimate (if not even a bit low).

I have totally fallen in love with the work of Bergonzi (every aspect of his work), but if I were picking a model to start with I'd definitely go for the Titian Strad. There's just WAY too much good information floating around on that one (for those of us who do not have something worthy of a copy laying around the shop).

I suppose that explains the avatar, then. Sorry, me just trying to be funny.

The back IS mesmerizing!!! By the way, have a look at a few del Gesu violins and you might find yourself feeling a strangely similar sensation (the 'Plowden', 'Alard', 'Lord Wilton'...looks like the same gorgeous piece of maple as in the "Baron von der Leyen').

Well said, Ben.

The main point I'd like make, though, is that I believe one must start young, so they may work on establishing a career (cultivating a reputation) when it is more affordable to do so. Furthermore, a base set of skills will become developed at the ideal point in life.

"The workers earn $150-$300 U.S. Dollars per month." Personally, I see opportunity for makers in more developed nations shrinking, because the high cost of living leads to a necessarily high cost per instrument, if one is to survive financially (in other words, the market just keeps on getting smaller and smaller for said maker). Certainly, in time and as the standard of living in China becomes elevated, the cost of living will drive up wages as well (it is already happening, in fact, and at a rather astonishing rate), but the divide remains rather large. True, as one man says the sound is not quite there yet; however it is on the rise. There is opportunity for these people in China, really good opportunity and the ability to capitalize on a unique point in time. As for me, I only look on making as an opportunity to supplement my income as I grow older. Make no mistake, I am driven by the passion and intend to make to the very best of my ability, but I am not driven by the potential for profit (and as I have never cared about money anyway, it suits me just fine). I think the only way a person can really assure a long-standing career is to get into service work and sales (rentals included), as this is always a local function (i.e., something which cannot be jobbed out to some remote locale such as China).

I just ordered a copy of "Stradivari Varnish" from Tarisio (turns out my prior order with 'servingaudio' was never processed), and happened to see that Tarisio has the 2-volume publication on the del Gesu exhibition for a VERY attractive price ($200 less than I paid a couple of years ago!). So, if you've had this one on your wish list (and if you are a maker, or a maker wannabe, you should), I'd say now is the time to jump.

Read the final paragraph, regarding this extremely fine and gorgeous Stradivari violin. http://www.darntonhersh.com/article.php?article_id=1

Curses!!! Sure wish I would have held off my order of Stradivari Varnish until this thread came around. :-/ Oh well, you don't know what you don't know.

Ethan, I am sure that if I would have ordered from your firm it would have been both prompt and well packaged. I am not an impatient person but in the modern, digital age it is common to order online and receive confirmation (of the order, and of its shipment). I guess I need to train my mind to think 1883 (as in the year, 1883) and trust the item will arrive in good order, in time. As for how to get the word out, I would check with Jeffrey as I am not aware of the rules regarding promotion. No doubt the beginning of a new thread with the appropriate title would do the trick, but perhaps it would violate user guidelines. Well, no matter how it works out, all my best wishes...you deserve it!

Ethan, I thank you too, for taking the time to post and wish I would have ordered the book "Stradivari Varnish" from you, instead. For one, I would have saved some hard-earned money, but also I'd still not be waiting for the book to arrive, over 1 month after having placed the order...

Kinda like a late del Gesu, that way (maybe, anyway, knowing nothing more than the above). How do these violins, the ones that do well in the "shoot-outs", fare in the playability department? Tone is nice, of course, but ease of realization pretty important as well, especially for a player such as myself.