Ron1

Much loved huh?

Two different things here- one is sort of a "pet name" for one's violin, etc.- I can't imagine not doing that. The other, in my view, is a more serious name given to an instrument you made, own, etc., based on something- it's history, provenance, appearance, sound, part of a set, and on, and on.. can be smart advertising/promotion. Manfio might chime-in here.

This is exactly what it all boils down to. The problem is, for most folks, networking and aggressively building interpersonal relationships are not their "long suit". They are largely destined to be hobbyists... meaning the satisfaction they receive from making must be their reward. I'm aware of one successful luthier who, with one or two of his instruments in hand, spent many evenings in the bar rooms of large city hotels, where famous musicians would unwind following performances- engaging them in conversation, buying them drinks, etc. He devised clever ways to involve notable people in the use and promotion of his instruments. He was the epitomy of self promotion, and enjoyed a long and very successful career.

Whad'ya think Glenn?

Jens is very interested in this subject area, and I'm sure, would be pleased to help.

Another factor typical of the Danish makers I mentioned, is that they (mostly) used an outside mold, and their linings were either continuous, or at least partially over the corner blocks from both sides. The lack of this feature might be explained if the ribs were "thoroughly repaired/restored".

The 4-piece purfling was regularly used by a number of Danish makers and some of those who learned from them: Frederik Wilhelm Hansen, Peder P. Adamsen, Thomas Jacobsen, Niels Jensen Lund, Niels Larsen Winther & Peder C. Poulsen. Poulsen emigrated to Chicago, where he was known as Peter C. Paulsen, and passed the 4-piece purfling practice on to his son and to Knute Reindahl, who employed it occasionally. Jens Stenz in Denmark is expert on these makers and may be helpful in further identification. He may be contacted at jens@stenz-violins.dk

My uneducated take is that a beginner, making his 1st, 2nd, or 3rd instrument, would be far more careful and would be trying to do his/her very best. The outside shows much more ability than was exerted on the inside, so I would guess a somewhat experienced maker was just knocking them out as fast as possible, and keeping the outside acceptable appearing to their market.

Glad to hear you weathered the storm o.k. Hope your thesaurus didn't get waterlogged.

Looks like that top was originally made of 1/2" or so wide strips glued together. The only ones I've seen like that were by Jackson-Guldan.

My airbrush experience has been mostly with water-based mediums, but FWIW, I strongly prefer bottled compressed air to a noisy compressor. My bottle is about the size of a loaf of bread- VERY quiet, and VERY portable. My usage requires an inexpensive re-fill about every 6 - 9 months, and I would bet your usage would be similar. I never before heard of using compressed nitrogen?? Do your compressors compress nitrogen? If there are reasons the bottled compressed air would not work for your applications...never mind.

I believe G. Peterson only did repairs, set-ups, etc., and did not make instruments. This information derived (assumed) from his ad found in a Google search. I see he lived right across the street from the high school I attended- likely did school instrument repairs too.

Does your luthier employ an assistant?

Based on location, the squiggly lines seem to me, to be an unsuccessful attempt at antiqueing.

Just couldn't resist, Michael. I only meant to point out the "traditional methods" aspect. BTW, the luthier I research used "copy carvers" around the turn of the century (ca1900)

(...returns to his CNC carving apparatus.)

How about an explosive device concealed within the case, rigged so that when the case is opened without using the correct code/combination, BLOOEY! (sp)

The indented parts of the stamped letters have a much too "clean" appearance, with no indication of any accumulation of grime. Also, the stamping seems to have raised the wood at the edges of letters in places. I would think these raised areas would have long since worn down; or more likely, would have been addressed during the making.

I've probably posted these before, but Knute Reindahl's carved heads are exceptional-

Often these carved heads are of known persons, such as Beethoven (which may be the case with your head), or other known composers, violinists, etc. Occasionally, they are of animal heads, and sometimes of mythical creatures. Less often, the carving is the likeness of an owner. I am aware of one that was commissioned by a (rather homely) young girl, with her own likeness carved on the head, to be given as a gift to a young violinist who she had a crush on. I guess the bottom line is, there are no set rules regarding this.

Amen

There's a special tool for that- it's called a "cat's paw".

It seems strange to me that there seems to be no color differences in the wood that is exposed by missing portions of the label(s).

First, we must know how we are defining "greatest". Number of instruments made? Avg. (or high) selling price: a. Total during makers' lifetime? b. Per instrument during makers' lifetime? c. "x" number of years after his/her death? Significant players that have possessed/played makers' instruments- Number? Names? Some combination of the above, and/or some other criteria???

David Bromberg gave a presentation on Chicago and Midwest luthiers at the American Violin, at the Library of Congress a number of years ago. As I recall, he practically pleaded, several times over, for anyone who knew of a Hornsteiner instrument, to please contact him. His presentation really emphasized the virtues and importance of John Hornsteiner, who was clearly the focus of his presentation. However, Bromberg stated that only one of his instruments was known to exist. I believe it is the one illustrated in his article in Strad magazine, mentioned previously in this thread. Perhaps, by now, another of his instruments has been located..