Rayv Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-19th-CENTURY-ITAL...=item4a9c3ef170 the seller changes the a/c name his positive feedback is 790 Is the positive feedback number reliable? I doubt ! i am bit puzzled by wood used for the top and bottom in this violin any comment for these wood? is it a gamble to buy violin from ebay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertdo Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 It almost looks like a copper violin! But I like the color. True the way the top and back have been shaped looks surprising, as if the wood fibers were going in different directions. The purfling is surprising too. But not being a violin maker or a specialist I don't know if this is something usual for some violin makers. Near the saddle it looks like the two parts of the top were glued at an "angle" since the middle line is on the right of the saddle. Is it a large repair patch? Also the lining of the wood seem pretty wide and I was in the impression that the narrower the fibers were the better. Is it a worm hole near the C rib in the back? At least the shape of this violin is clearly different from the usual Stradivarius or Guarnerius copies! Especially the corners are very short. The F holes are very round and the volutes of the scroll very flat. But I would like indeed to play a little bit myself with it to hear better than through internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fubbi2 Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I don't think eBay feedback can be 'faked', but I could get 500 positive feedbacks selling cell phone ringtones, then switch to selling violins. The feedback does not reflect category of items sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBK Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 This appears to be amateur work, based on an original (and weird design) My take on it is that this violin was built by a person who built guitars and tried his or her hand at making a violin. IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Folia Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 any comment for these wood?is it a gamble to buy violin from ebay? Well, the back sure doesn't look like maple. Top and bottom appear to be the same wood, and apparently shaped, not carved. If you have to ask if it's a gamble, it probably is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigcat Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 At least it sounds like it has a square like tone (which is awful to my ears) and I wouldn't pay more than $100 for this "thing"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmusperf2004 Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I couldn't help but notice the masterful symmetry of the soundpost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AutumnStrings Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 Gotta love that painted fingerboard, or am I wrong about that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fubbi2 Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I find nothing in the literature for a "Pedro Leoni" or a "Pay Sandu" I'd guess this is an amateur maker who, rightfully did not become a professional. ...or it's just a total fake,bearing an Italian sounding name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zinomaniac Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 This seller's violins are shiny, usually crack-free, often strange-looking, and bear obscure labels. How many violins could a Philadelphia violinist have collected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anders Buen Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Gotta love that painted fingerboard, or am I wrong about that? The inlay work is real inlay work, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anders Buen Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Well, the back sure doesn't look like maple. Top and bottom appear to be the same wood, and apparently shaped, not carved.If you have to ask if it's a gamble, it probably is. I think these plates are carved, and I agree that the top and back appear to be of the same material. It sounds pretty even. Interesting to hear a violin with a spruce or fir back, or whatever material it may be. It's not maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Prouty Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 This Violin is not Italian, although the maker could have been of Italian decent. It was made in Uruguay. The city of Paysandú is one of the largest in Uruguay and this type of violin with very crude rudimentary workmanship is typical of South and Central America's rural artisans. There are guys that can make a violin like this in about 30 minutes with box cutters. Absolutely amazing to see. The wood is certainly something indigenous to So. Am., but who knows what. I would say it is worth what someone whats to pay for it. Additionally, I would say its authentic. The common spelling of the city name is no longer separated. This would indicate that its fairly old. Also October is written in Spanish, not Italian. m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fubbi2 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Matt! Thanks for that very good information. I didn't even think to search for a place with that name. I stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Folia Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Anders is probably right about it being carved, not shaped. The wood was just not quarter cut. The tree was probably just sawed into lumber, and this was made from off-center pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellow Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-19th-CENTURY-ITAL...=item4a9c3ef170the seller changes the a/c name his positive feedback is 790 Is the positive feedback number reliable? I doubt ! i am bit puzzled by wood used for the top and bottom in this violin any comment for these wood? is it a gamble to buy violin from ebay? ++++++++++++++++ This is your money. You can do whatever you want. Do you like this "Italian violin"? If you know it is a good buy then why you asked. I would rather buy a violin which looks more conventional, like German copy than an odd model. In case, I have to sell it later I will have no trouble to convince the new buyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1alpha Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 At least it sounds like it has a square like tone (which is awful to my ears) and I wouldn't pay more than $100 for this "thing"... Yes agreed. The 'violin' looks awful and sounds awful. End of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anders Buen Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 The neck and bridge seems to be off the central axis by a fair amount. The tone has an edge to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 eboy is our good friend John Gammuto. Do a search from last year on this site and also violinist.com for some very entertaining reading.....in fact it is a saga better than any episode of Entourage or whatever.....you could not make stuff like this up. Saw one of his violins in person. It was shoddy workmanship, including such things as tearout in the cutting of the f holes. The owner took said violin to a dealer who attributed it to china. I would say that the entire listing is pure creative writing. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertdo Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 Someone paid $1250 to buy it! What for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBK Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 Someone paid $1250 to buy it! What for? P.T. Barnum was right !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luthier Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 If you haven't noticed, all you have to do is call the violin "Italian" on ebay, and it brings 10 times what it's actually worth. These "Italian" labels are generally fotocopies, or scanned, and placed inside. I bought a violin on ebay with an Italian label of a early 1900's maker that looks very good (the label), could possibly be an original, very good antiqued look to it. The only problem was, the violin was a made about a hundred years before the maker was born. I saw that before I placed my bid. The violin turned out to be exactly what I thought it was, an early 1800's violin with a baroque neck (not visible in the pictures) from Klingentahl or Schoenbach, no corner blocks, some repaired and not cracks. I really like the looks of it, and the price was reasonable for what it is. This one must not have fooled anyone, because my bid was pretty low. It will make a nice baroque restoration, with the low projection and shorter neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deans Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 I've met several guys over the years who loved oddball amateurish violins made by poorer people, and certainly not because they think they have fine concert instruments. Some old examples from the New England area or Appalachians are coveted. I have no idea what this thing is, but it wouldnt shock me if the buyer knew exactly what he was doing and is tickled to death with his purchase. On the other hand it could be completely fake auction, 1200 does seem high to me, but you never know what people value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Folia Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 Wow! I suppose the buyer could have bought it as a piece of folk art. But of course the maker's name is Pedro, which is Spanish, not Italian, and it was made in a South American city, and it's not exactly a fine violin. So if there's anybody who got fooled by all that, maybe they need a guardian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmannsback Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 eboy is our good friend John Gammuto. Do a search from last year on this site and also violinist.com for some very entertaining reading.....in fact it is a saga better than any episode of Entourage or whatever.....you could not make stuff like this up. Saw one of his violins in person. It was shoddy workmanship, including such things as tearout in the cutting of the f holes. The owner took said violin to a dealer who attributed it to china. I would say that the entire listing is pure creative writing. Tom (edit) Tom, "eboy" lives (and works) in the Philadelphia area. His first name is Andrew but is not associated with any violin maker, or shop...just helping some friends dispose of a massive estate. John Gammuto lives (and works) near Philadelphia. > http://jgammuto.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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