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Ron1

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Posts posted by Ron1

  1. Knute Reindahl (pictured left) was a decorative woodcarver until he began is violin making career in 1894 at the age of 37.   He handsomely supported his family of seven for over 40 years, making his last violin, #585, in 1935, shortly before his death in January, 1936.

  2.  Other than the wildly ranging prices, the only constant basis of measurement or comparison for these categories is player (or non-player/playable).

    Otherwise one category is by maker; one is by Country of origin; one is by price range only; and one is visual.

  3. On 12/6/2024 at 1:58 AM, matesic said:

    Au contraire, it isn't an affectation (like using French), just a vernacular term that violinists of all abilities often use in conversation with one another.

    I don't believe that violinists of lesser abilities, ie: students, amateurs, etc, use the term "axe".  

  4. When an accomplished violinist refers to their instrument as a "fiddle", it is an elitist and egotistical act and an attempt to render themselves more special.  It's not unlike the emperor without clothes- no one will dare question them because they have the 'right' to use the term.  Even more silly (and elitist and egotistical), is when they use the term "axe" when referring to their instruments.

  5. There seems to be two separate questions/topics going on here- one regarding the varnish, and another regarding whether or not Holmdale was even the maker.  A couple posts, including mine, suggested he may not have been the maker, unless someone could point to other instruments he had made.  Then Michael posted the above, and no one has even mentioned this apparent "other" violin with his actual label.  Can we see more of this instrument for comparison?  Does it have similarities to the OP's violin?  I think this could go a long way toward answering whether or not Holmdale was the maker.

  6. A quick search doesn't bring up anything else re violins in conjunction with Thurston Holmdale or Torsten Holmdahl.  He is always listed as an "artist" or "scenic artist", never as a "violin maker".  Unless others have knowledge of other instruments by him, I would be very skeptical that he was the maker of this violin.  In 1918 he was still signing documents, etc. using the original spelling of his name (Torsten Holmdahl), and it seems that if he was the maker he would have used that spelling rather than the "Americanized" version.   I also noted his documented handwriting and written numbers at the time were very neatly executed, as might be expected of an artist, and in contrast to the rather crudely made inscription inside the violin, although it is certainly possible someone else added the inscription later.  At any rate, someone with the ability to produce an instrument like this, would surely have made others.  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  7. On 5/15/2023 at 6:02 AM, Mauricio Sartori said:

    Hi Ron1. Nice avatar. Thanks for answering. Did you do it yourself?

    No, I worked with a very capable digital sculptor in Bucharest, Romania.  Super easy to work with, very reasonable pricing, and she's fluent in english.  She worked from photos I sent her of my violin.

  8. I'll miss Mike too.  I spoke with him once regarding his astronomical/astrological work and findings regarding the star of Bethlehem, etc.  Some members who may not be aware of this side of Mike's life would find it quite interesting.

    R.I.P. Mike.

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