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Showing results for tags 'scottish'.
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I recently picked up the violin pictured and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it? It is labelled by G.S.MacKay Aberdeen, who is listed in David Rattray's book on Scottish violin makers as an Aberdeen maker (d. 1917). However, I hear that many makers of the time also imported trade instruments and re-labelled them. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not this is the genuine article? I also have a standard German trade fiddle at home and there is no doubt this is a far superior instrument to that. I read one of the give-aways with the low grade trade stuff is the over-smoothness of the back/varnish. The MacKay labelled instrumnet has a much more varied texture to the figured grain markings as you can almost make out from the images. Does this suggest hand made? Are there any other indicators that can be seen? Any thoughts much appreciated.
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I was browsing a site called the-saleroom.com in the hopes of finding a nice instrument listed in a live auctions. I searched for a Scottish violin hoping to find a few armature made or cheap antique Scottish violins. I found one at an auction in Glasgow which seemed like just what I wanted: 'SCOTTISH VIOLIN early 20th century' was the description so I waited for the auction and made a bid. The violin went for much less than I thought so was happy with my purchase but a little suspicious. The violin on the picture looked in good condition with yellowish varnish, a light wooden tail piece and old 50s looking box. After waiting the violin arrived. The box was as expected old, but on inspection the violin looked very lightly made with standard redy varnish, the fingerboard was painted black! and the varnish was flaking off the top of the violin with a slight rub of my nail. The purfling also rubbed off.. Finally I tried to set up the violin and it sounded very gritty like a badly set up banjo or guitar more than a violin sound, totally unplayable. Inside it said 'Edmund may Glasgow' in what looked like a label printed on a computer in ms word, with a cute music clip art.. slightly higher than where the old label should have been. I did a search and found another violin also from Edmund may of glasgow http://www.amati.com/auctions/violins/for-sale-at-auction/vintage-violin-refurbished-by-edmund-may-of-glasgow.html which sold for a higher price than what I payed. I checked the tail piece and saw (w Germany) on the fine tuners. The violin its self looks very much like a cheap Chinese factory violin maybe £40 max brand new. Defiantly not a hand made Scottish violin. I phoned the auction house and they said I had time to inspect the violin before the auction. I wasn't able to do this because I wasn't able to travel to Scotland so they said I should have asked for an inspection to be made. Is it me or would the auction house have changed their story of it being a Scottish violin if I had asked for an inspection? Its kind of like saying a car is a vintage Porsche but on inspection it was only a cheap Citron and selling it at a high price. So is this person buying old Chinese violins and putting them in old boxes claiming they are vintage violins, then selling them at auctions? The one in the amati page looks quite nice again but I am guessing another cheap fake. Has anyone had any experience of this and if so did you manage to get a refund? At least Ebay is working with paypal to stop fraud but it seems UK auctions are actively encouraging it..
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Hello, im completely new to this site, and I dont know if im doing this right. Anyways.. Let me introduce myself, i'm Niam, a violin dealer in UK and I have acquired a lovely looking violin. I would like to hear your opinions about anything about the violin (value? origin, age, etc). I'd love to hear different insights. The violin is in perfect condition and has fluted f-holes, a nice blonde varnish and well done purfling. Im hoping the pictures will upload and that i did it right O.o Thanks!
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I was visiting a friend recently and hanging on their wall was this rather sad old fiddle. I thought it looked a bit interesting so I quizzed them about it, aparrently it had belonged to their grandfather (this would put it back to early 20th century), and he had brought it from Scotland over to Ireland, and it was not new when he had it (not sure if he got it from an older relative or bought it secondhand - I can ask) I spotted the old-style neck and the aparrent inscription monogrammed onto the front? The neck is loose and wobbly, I told them it was interesting and that they should look after it. I have a lot more closeups if people want to see them. Looking forward to hearing your opinions on this thing!
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Hello Friends at Maestronet- I’d like to invite you to our 10th Annual Fiddle Hell Gathering at the Westford Regency, Westford, Massachusetts, USA, Nov. 7-9, 2014. An overview of Fiddle Hell 2014 is at http://www.reinerfam...troduction.html There will be a full schedule of over 130 hands-on workshops and jams at http://www.reinerfam...l-schedule.html Rates are very low for the weekend (with discounts for kids and seniors) and you can also just pay for a single day. Prepaid admissions for the entire weekend are $90 or less. Parking is free and plentiful. You can stay at the Regency in discounted rooms ($99/night plus tax), or commute locally. We'll have 3x the space compared to last year! Our fiddle staff includes 28 excellent traditional players who are also great teachers: Alan Kaufman, Andy Reiner, Barbara McOwen, Bob Alessio, Cathy Mason, Charlie Walden, Clayton March, Dave Reiner, David Kaynor, Ed Pearlman, Ellen Carlson, Eric Favreau, George Fowler, Jason Anick, Jenna Moynihan, John Chambers, John Lamencusa, Laurie Hart, Lissa Schneckenberger, Mark Simos, Matt Glaser, Matt McConeghy, Michelle Kaminsky, Pete Anick, Serena Eades, Shana Aisenberg, Terri Lukacko, and Tom Morley. If you come from the classical tradition, here's a chance to try fiddling in a friendly and supportive environment. There will be various fiddle styles represented, including New England, Irish, bluegrass, Southern oldtime, Scottish, Cape Breton, French Canadian, Swedish, swing, gypsy, Cajun, Texas and Western Swing. Classes are for beginners (but not absolute novices), advancing beginners, intermediates, and advanced players. The Saturday Night Concert is on Nov. 8th, 7:00-9:30PM, also at the Westford Regency (free if you’re at Fiddle Hell; walk-ins $15). It will be followed by a free contra dance. Our 52 Fiddle Hell Common Tunes are listed at http://www.reinerfam...-tune-list.html , and we have recorded them on a 2-CD set, played both fast and slow. This 2-CD set is just $15 postpaid at http://www.reinerfam....com/store.html . It’s a great way to prepare for the jams at Fiddle Hell, and to improve your learning by ear. On Facebook, the 2014 event is at https://www.facebook.com/events/1382687611951944 and the Fiddle Hell Massachusetts group is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fiddlehellmassachusetts . I really hope to see you at Fiddle Hell this year! Dave Reiner -
Hello Fiddling Friends at Maestronet- I’d like to invite you to our 9th Annual Fiddle Hell Gathering at the Colonial Inn and Scout House in Concord, Massachusetts, Nov. 8-10, 2013. An overview of Fiddle Hell 2013 is at http://www.reinerfam...troduction.html There's a full schedule of over 100 hands-on workshops and jams at http://www.reinerfam...l-schedule.html Rates are low for the weekend or a single day, and parking is free. Our fiddle staff includes 22 excellent traditional players who are also great teachers: Alan Kaufman, Andy Reiner, Barbara McOwen, Bob Alessio, Clayton March, Dave Reiner, David Kaynor, Ed Pearlman, Ellen Carlson, George Fowler, John Chambers, Julie Metcalf, Laurie Hart, Mark Simos, Matt Glaser, Matt McConeghy, Paul Harty, Pete Anick, Serena Eades, Stacy Phillips, Terri Lukacko, Tom Morley. If you come from the classical tradition, here's a chance to try fiddling in a supportive environment. There will be various fiddle styles represented, including New England, Irish, bluegrass, Southern oldtime, Scottish, Cape Breton, French Canadian, Swedish, swing, gypsy, Cajun, Texas and Western Swing. The Saturday Night Concert is on Nov. 9th, 7:00-9:00PM, at the nearby Concord Scout House (free if you’re at Fiddle Hell; walk-ins $15). It will be followed by a contra dance. Our 52 Fiddle Hell Common Tunes are listed at http://www.reinerfam...-tune-list.html , and we have recorded them on a 2-CD set, played both fast and slow. This 2-CD set is just $15 postpaid at http://www.reinerfam....com/store.html . It’s a great way to prepare for the jams at Fiddle Hell, and to improve your learning by ear. I really hope to see you at Fiddle Hell this year! Dave Reiner
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Hello Fiddling Friends at Maestronet- I’d like to invite you to our 8th Annual Fiddle Hell Gathering at the Colonial Inn and Masonic Lodge in Concord, Massachusetts, Nov. 2-4, 2012. An overview of Fiddle Hell 2012 is at http://www.reinerfam...troduction.html There's a full schedule of over 150 hands-on workshops and jams at http://www.reinerfam...l-schedule.html That’s twice as many sessions as last year! Our fiddle staff includes 20 excellent traditional players who are also great teachers: Alan Kaufman, Andy Reiner, Anne Hooper, Becky Tracy, Bob Alessio, Clayton March, Dave Reiner, David Kaynor, Ellen Carlson, George Keith, Hanneke Cassel, Jason Anick, Julie Metcalf, Mark Simos, Matt Glaser, Matt McConeghy, Michelle Kaminsky, Stacy Phillips, and Terri Lukačko. There will be various fiddle styles represented, including New England, Irish, bluegrass, Southern oldtime, Scottish, Cape Breton, French Canadian, Swedish, swing, gypsy, Cajun, Texas and Western Swing. The Friday Night Concert is on Nov. 2nd, 7:30-9:30PM, at the Masonic Lodge across the street (free if you’re at Fiddle Hell; walk-ins $10), featuring Andy Reiner, Becky Tracy, Dave Reiner, David Kaynor, Hanneke Cassel, Jason Anick, Matt Glaser, and Stacy Phillips. Our 52 Fiddle Hell Common Tunes are listed at http://www.reinerfam...-tune-list.html , and we have recorded them on a 2-CD set, played both fast and slow. This 2-CD set is just $15 postpaid at http://www.reinerfam....com/store.html . It’s a great way to prepare for the jams at Fiddle Hell, and to improve your learning by ear. I really hope to see you at Fiddle Hell this year! Dave Reiner
