zhiyi_zhang617

Remind me of a low-grade JTL.

Larsen Tzigane E (stark) is beautiful tonally, which is still of medium tension, is my go-to, pairing with A, D, and G of Passiones and many others (e.g., Vision Solo). I have never had a problem with the feel of its surface, and you may give it a try since you like the sound of the medium gauge. Have that said, I also use Larsen Gold E (medium), Warchal Amber E (thick), and Pirastra Gold Label E (medium) regularly. IMHO, the gold Larsen E is brilliant, singing, opulent, yet substantial (as opposed to thin) on the majority of my instruments. It is, unlike typical gold strings, long-lasting. On the other hands, Gold Label E has been a great match with Evah Pirazzi (green) lower strings in my experience.

Just to provide a couple of zoom-in photos to show the scroll graftline (the seam is apparently visible).

Hi BF, your comments are once again sound and informative. You have always responded and/or commented on my posts. Over the years, I learned quite a bit. Appreciated! Given what we knew, I would agree it is likely a high-grade Markneukirchen, and possibly to a less extent an English around 1800. I think the scroll graft could be real. The original photo of much better resolution than what I posted showed the disconnected grain lines alongside graftline with a tiny seam.

Wow, these are exactly the insights I would like to hear and learn. Given the quite high arch and some Germanic characteristics (may I call it somewhat Stainerish appearance?), is it possible a 18-19th century English fiddle?

A fair question to ask. I neither bid for this particular violin, nor any item in this auction. I am not a dealer, just an amateur enthusiast, and my profession I am greatly fond of is completely music-unrelated. I did collect a number of violins for my own enjoyment over the years (Some of my collection have been posted in MN previously; I did have training in playing violin when I was young). However, I have not added any to the collection in the past 2-3 years and have no plan to increase the size of my collection (The instruments are way more than what I would be able to play regularly, thus to know and draw out their intrinsic tone characteristics). As a hobbyist, I am fascinated with and always enjoy viewing the old instruments, such as those listed/posted in T2. Meanwhile, I continue learning from the others, especially MN connoisseurs to gain knowledge in better appreciation on such intricate work of art (i.e., old violins), the underlying reason for the OP here.

All informative and valuable discussions this far. I may herein suggest to redirect to pay a bit more attention to the instrument itself; at the end of day what puzzles us is the instrument. As quoted of Wckoek, "If not for the scroll, the body feels a bit "Germanic" to me.", which appears to be a concise point of what some of us may think. I would believe there are schools/regions mixing with such Germanic body and outline but Italian-looking scroll 200 years ago, given the violin-making evolution.

So far, no one appears to care. To my eyes, the varnish is gorgeous, and the workmanship is quite refined, especially the scroll, besides the tasteful wood selections (e.g., handsome one-piece maple back and the evenly grained spruce top). What somewhat intriguing are the unconventional f-holes with the upper wings evidently larger than the lower ones and the stubby short corners. Which school(s) is known for such features?

I initiated this in The Auction Scroll. However, my intention is solely the ID of this very handsome and interesting instrument. Therefore, to better illustrate, I attached the photos. LOB is the perfect 356 mm. Any opinion and comment associated with ID are appreciated!

Does appear to be an "attic" found, given the wrongly positioned bridge (treble-bass reversed) and likely unfitted bridge feet.

If this Jaeger case came with the violin, does it mean anything?

https://t2-auctions.com/auctions/lot/?cpid=3893706752&csid=2199912448 What I noticed is the offer estimate of the violin of $1,500-2,200. However, it was gone for $5,500 with frequent last minute biddings (total 33 bids). I would guess that someone thought it is "interesting".

I am very interested in and pay great attention to the listing in T2 auction. What attracting me the most is there are almost always good-looking old violins with no or an intriguing attribution in every auction. For a demo, I just attached the link as follows (not to risk the copyright with T2 photos) https://t2-auctions.com/auctions/lot/?cpid=3893706752&csid=2199912448 Would MN maestros shed light on the provenance and the quality of the instrument?

The violins with Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer 1813 label are mass-produced German factory ones, typically made approximately a century ago. I still have one, the very first full size for my kids many years ago. The tone of instruments is very subjective; but to my ears, the one I have is pretty decent, especially given the money it commends as compared to some of others with the price tag of 10X or more. While one should not fully rely on video recording, the sound from YouTube videos you provided appears to be consistent with what I may recall. However, besides the label, "typical" JBS 1813s often have a few telltale signs, e.g., one-piece maple back, fake scroll graft line, screwdriver antiquing, etc. The video you attached would not clearly show all such features, which however might not be essential nonetheless. Since the violin comes into your possession, are you able to see these features?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255892768452?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20220705100511%26meid%3D50233e9df37a4a81b3f202f5615998ab%26pid%3D101524%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D255892768452%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2380057.c101524.m146925&_trkparms=pageci%3A3eaf5730-861f-11ed-88d6-a65b5c608d46|parentrq%3A551fd3171850a44c2b535aaafff52228|iid%3A1