Novauviolon Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 So I'm a relative beginner at the violin. I apparently have a Laberte "D. Soriot" labeled violin that I bought secondhand for a low price a while back. I've been playing it for the last year, and the sound is very good for a low end instrument. However, the previous owner(s) treated it like crap, had some older repairs done (notably on the neck/fingerboard), and it needs a bunch of repairs (cracks, raise fingerboard etc.) that will cost around the same price as another low-end violin, and I'm nearing the level where I probably should upgrade. I've been wondering if it would be worth it to have the luthier do the repairs or if I should just wait until I can afford a better instrument. Anyway, to help me decide, I figured I'd try to see if anyone had any guesses as to whether it's an actual D. Soriot, since the only indication is a simple label with a typo and no accent marks: "D. SOIOT luthier ecole francaise" Despite being beaten up, the sound is quite nice and has impressed a few violin players that I've shown it to, and the violin itself came with a "FRANCE" import marked "F.N. VOIRIN A PARIS" bow, which, while obviously not a genuine 19th century Voirin, nevertheless might suggest a certain trend for whoever used to own this violin and paired it with this bow. Anyway, here's some pictures I took. Thanks for any advice: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin swan Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is nothing to do with a D. Soriot or any Mirecourt model. It looks like a Saxon violin that has been revarnished ... I wouldn't spend more money on it unless the sound is really extraordinary - you have to bear in mind that it would be difficult to sell this violin for more than a couple of hundred pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novauviolon Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 That's actually what I had always suspected, a low end German violin. I'm not disappointed with it since it's served me well and I never payed much for it (and that bow it came with is quite good), but it's nice to know I should be holding out on spending more money until I find something better. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin swan Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 I'm glad you're not upset - it seems you had a realistic view of this violin. Of course you may find it difficult to find something with a sound you prefer, even if you spend a lot more! Sometimes these humble violins with their wacky necks can sound great - I've had a few apocryphal "Hopf" violins a bit like this that were really nice to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.