Dominik Tomasek

The upper label says: Restored by: V. Kulovaný (name) Pupil of M.Pikart (name) Luby u Chebu (city in the CR where violin making school is located, on the very far west of the republic) The other one in my opinion says: Libor Šefe (Šefl) - Luby u Chebu. Although it is hard for me to read it even though I am native speaker. EDIT: The name on the lower label is Libor Šefl, I am enclosing one of his celli in the link below. http://www.paganini.cz/violoncella/417-libor-sefl/

Yes, I guess so. Unfortunately Manfio is not answering my messages thus I am seeking information elsewhere.

A while ago I read here about Testore cello with quatered spruce top and slab cut spruce back. Does anyone have more information or better at least any photo of the instrument? I've heard it is still used by some sololist.

I see. Thank you for explanation.

May I ask why is that so? I have never heard of Jalovec being unreliable source.

I agree with palousian that the violin is definitely not made by Eberle. The corners, arching, scroll, f holes are way too different from Eberle's work. I might post some photos of Jan Eberle's violins from the book "Czech violin makers" writen by Karel Jalovec if you wish so.

I too would love to kindly ask Mark for a few photos of those surely interesting instruments!

What I very much like about this cello is the flat back! Are there other cellos except this one, that has flat back? I know about one made by Jean Lambert, but it Is also rather odd shaped.

Dear Maestronetters, reading the topic gave me this thought: How come do the 5 string violins play with it's "short" stop lenght/mensur? I do know that the dimensions of these instruments are sort of restricting the dark viola like sound but to my logic it seems that the problem could be, at least partially, solved by making the body a bit wider and the ribs higher. Couldn't this be the way of stringing the small violas? Keeping the stop lenght shorter and using violin C string? Sorry if I mix things up I just share what comes to my mind!

It seems to me that it is just a piece of the soundpost wood (grain) chipped off.

Dear jezzupe, thanks. Now I also do think that the probles is caused by not giving the varnish proper time to cure. It does not seem to be caused by the colourant as this would appear right after the first coat. I'll run some tests as others advice me and I will see. Also I will kepp updating this topic if needed. Thanky you all! Dominik

Hahah, I see, that would be the easiest way to solve all these problems I have. Sorry for being so confusing - this is my first time varnishing and as you can see I am still not completely sure what I am doing!

Well, let's check that! If I understand that clearly, to ensure that the blisters are produced by gases they should be empty inside, filled with air, am I right?

Isn't there any risk of combining oil varnish and spirit thinne shellac?

From your describtion it seems that the problem could be the matter of not giving the varnish enough time to dry. The bumps really are sort of blisters or something. Thank you for your advice.