Discerning Stradivari vs Guarneri from pics

[mcarufe]

What are the most obvious things to look for? I have seen some copies being marketed as guarnari styles that sold for double the price of stad styles on ebay.

Mike

[T_Rocca]

F holes, outline

[jackc]

Look at the C bouts. Strad corners make a more complete curve than Guarneris. If it looks like you could put a finger under the upper corner and keep the violin from dropping it's a Strad type C. Assuming you're talking Guarneri Del Gesu, the corner would allow your finger to slide off more readily.

[miles]

T, Would you please elaborate on your comment? That'll be very helpful for a beginner like me. Thanks a lot in advance.

[Steve R.]

Quote:

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Look at the C bouts. ... If it looks like you could put a finger under the upper corner and keep the violin from dropping it's a Strad type C. ...Guarneri Del Gesu, the corner would allow your finger to slide off more readily.

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Do you mean the GDG would have a half-oval while Strad would have a "true" "C" shape?

[T_Rocca]

In general speaking, makers will choose the most distinctive Guarnerius F holes from all the patterns he made. EG. the Long and angled F holes in conpare to the more fluted Strad one.

They always pick the most typical Strad model and Guarnerius model so they can sell as a Strad or Guarnerius model. Outline were discussed on the last few posts. the F holes are one of the key point you can tell the different.

Other ones will be scrolls, but most maker tend to have more of their personal infuence on the scroll. Most maker prefer the Strad scroll, because they can show off them self as a capable maker, and Guarnerius on the other hand looks ruder.

[guta]

Mcarufe - There's only so much you can say in words to describe Strads and Del Gesu's. A good approach would be to look long and in depth at good photos of the real thing. Start with "The Miracle Makers" put out by Bein and Fushi. It is a great "must have" book for any violin lover.

All Best, Larry.

[guta]

P.S. To the Wizard Of Maestronet - Thanks for the birthday cake!

[jackc]

Quote:

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Do you mean the GDG would have a half-oval while Strad would have a "true" "C" shape?

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A little more than half-oval, but yes, that's a good way to put it. It's really easy to see this if you put them side by side. So get out your Strad and your GDG and look at them side by each.

Well, for me, that means photos in the books...

[miles]

Thank you so much, T. I will check out other posts regarding the f-holes.

[miles]

quta, do you have the ISBN by any chance? Thanks.

[guta]

Miles - isbn 0-9661742-0-8

Enjoy it !

[fiddlecollector]

Or strads are more like `D` bouts and Del Gesus `C`bouts

[Fellow]

" regarding the f-holes" is very easy to see. Guarneri's f-hole looks long by comparision. "C-bout" is hard to see. Since the f-hole looks long, so the body looks long too (Guarneri). Stradivari's shoulder looks wider. /yuen/

[Jeffrey Holmes]

Here's an old thread that may help a bit:

Model Thread

[mcarufe]

Jack, I tried that finger test and it don't work. I am now mixing up a gallon of hide glue as I tested my whole collection! These are some wonderful visuals. It is almost like knowing twins and not be able to tell unless you know them then it becomes clear as day. Measurements are not always reliable because many time we compare apples and oranges. i.e. Italian, German, American etc so the gross measurements only are relative to the indivdual instrument and thus their relative proportions. Thank you for such insightful feedback. I love this website!

Mike

[jackc]

No, the finger test doesn't really work. It's more to illustrate the idea.

[mcarufe]

I never seen the difference until you gave me that illustration! Thanks Jack, good teaching method on your part. Totally appreciate it.

Mike