jadethomp Posted September 25, 2014 Report Posted September 25, 2014 Hi all, Just hoping you might be able to ID the maker of my violin. I was given it as a child and as it is in some serious need of restoration, I am hoping to ID it before I take it to a repairer. It says GVILLAMI inside but a google search has returned little to nothing! As I am a newbie, I am unable to upload photos. But if you know of any leads, anything will help. Thank you in advance!
Rick Hyslop Posted September 25, 2014 Report Posted September 25, 2014 You can upload photos to a site like photobucket and provide a link here. Guillami was a Spanish maker. It would be interesting to see the violin you have. r.
jadethomp Posted September 25, 2014 Author Report Posted September 25, 2014 Here are about 8 photos that you can look at. I thought it might be a Guillami as well but as the text in the second photo shows GVILLAMI and doesn't look like a traditional label, I'm not too sure. http://s1368.photobucket.com/user/jadethompson09/slideshow/
Michael Appleman Posted September 26, 2014 Report Posted September 26, 2014 Jade, From what I can see in your photos, your violin could well be a Guillami. Your photos are a bit too distorted to see the outline and other important things like the shape of the pegbox or f-holes, but my personal impression is that it could be real, though the head may have been replaced. Unfortunately, one of the characteristics of the Guillamis (father and son, both used the GVILLAMI brand stamp) is they often used a local softwood for the top that has the unfortunate tendancy to crack to bits, and that top will be very costly to repair. I hope you can bring it to a professional restorer for a thorough examination. I may be wrong, but I believe it's too nice a fiddle to have it "fixed-up" by a non specialist. The Guillamis were the leading violin makers in Barcelona from around the 1740's-1790's. The ones I've seen are exquisitely made, with very stylish workmanship, a nice soft warm red varnish, and lots of personal character. I've played on one that wasn't full of cracks, and it sounded very warm and pleasant, a good 18th century instrument. The others I've played were full of cracks, so the sound quality was more a question of the restoration quality than the instrument itself. Good luck with this violin and keep us informed how it goes.
jadethomp Posted September 26, 2014 Author Report Posted September 26, 2014 Thank you Michael. I've uploaded a few more to Photobucket - http://s1368.photobucket.com/user/jadethompson09/library/Violin%202 Thanks so much for your help. Would you have any recommendations on how to find a professional restorer versus a non-specialist? What am I looking for? Many thanks, Jade
K123 Posted September 26, 2014 Report Posted September 26, 2014 I would suggest completely loosening the strings on the violin. That soundpost break (Dont think it can be classified as a soundpost crack anymore) doesnt need any more pressure.
Jeff White Posted September 26, 2014 Report Posted September 26, 2014 Jade, I agree with kallie and Michael in that, the person you take it to really needs to know "restoration" well enough to deal with the soundpost area properly, it's a bit of a mess. Don't price shop this out and get good recomendations to where you take it. You asked Michael about how to vet this out, you would probably start by telling us where you live and maybe some here could help. jeff
jadethomp Posted September 26, 2014 Author Report Posted September 26, 2014 Thanks so much for your help all. I have loosened the strings entirely to relieve the tension. I live in West of Sydney, Australia. Any ideas on a restorer (and price range of restoration) or a good place to look at selling it would be very helpful.
kyproset Posted September 27, 2014 Report Posted September 27, 2014 From the looks of it, it's not going to be cheap restoring this violin professionally. If you sell it, you will not get as much as selling it restored and in perfect order, restoration cost included. I cannot help you with pointing out a good restorer, but if you go to a symphony orchestra concert, talk to the violinists there. They will be able to give good advise..
mysticpaw Posted September 28, 2014 Report Posted September 28, 2014 Hi there, It may be well worth a trip to the eastern suburbs to see these guys http://www.lespetscamdenviolins.com.au/contact/ Keep us posted on your journey.... the top seems to be in a fair bit of distress for sure ..... it's a good suggestion from Kallie to ease off the tension of the strings
jadethomp Posted September 28, 2014 Author Report Posted September 28, 2014 Thanks all, will keep you updated!
jadethomp Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Posted September 30, 2014 Hi all, Can anyone suggest a good starting point? Whether it's a good place to sell or to get it valued in Australia?At the moment I'm hoping to get a valuation from Lespetts Camden Violins and Raffan Kelaher and Thomas. Many thanks, Jade
mysticpaw Posted October 3, 2014 Report Posted October 3, 2014 Jade, Raffan Kellaher & Thomas are just ( good ) general auctioneers. Lawsons have a specialist instrument valuer or you could make an appointment with The Violinery in Lindfield http://theviolinery.com.au/ Keep us posted Cheers
martin swan Posted October 3, 2014 Report Posted October 3, 2014 Guillami is a very rare maker indeed. You could send photos to Tarisio, who have sold a couple of Guillamis recently, including a phenomenal viola which was in similar shape to your violin.
jadethomp Posted October 3, 2014 Author Report Posted October 3, 2014 Thanks all. Deciding between Tarisio and Bromptons at the moment. Will keep you updated.
GlennYorkPA Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Thanks all. Deciding between Tarisio and Bromptons at the moment. Will keep you updated. Why choose? Send photos to both. Glenn
martin swan Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Bromptons also sold one this year ... So maybe not that rare after all
GlennYorkPA Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Bromptons also sold one this year ... So maybe not that rare after all Martin, How did the condition compare to the OP's?
Michael Appleman Posted October 6, 2014 Report Posted October 6, 2014 I didn't see the one in Brompton's, but I took a close look at the violin (Juan Sr.) and the viola (Juan Jr.) at Tarisio. The violin was in fairly good condition, and lived up to the reputation of having a rich, complex but not very powerful sound. It sold for 18000£. The viola was in a similar condition to the OP violin. (I was actually afraid to play on it too much) It went unsold at that auction without topping 7000£. It sold at the next auction for 8000£. I was tempted to bid on it, but I have too many small violas at the moment.
martin swan Posted October 6, 2014 Report Posted October 6, 2014 I've been looking in vain in the Bromptons catalogues for the Guillami - I remember exactly where it was in the saleroom, but it's not in a catalogue ... I recall seeing a lovely small Guillami violin recently, maybe a 3/4, but it could have been the same one. Like Michael I spent quite a lot of time with the instruments at Tarisio. I found the violin unremarkable, and I seem to have written "condition" in my notes. The viola was a different story, and I really anguished over it. Irrespective of size it was tonally right up my street, and I played it for quite a while (I suppose I thought if it fell apart I wouldn't be held to account) - however, I couldn't see any possibility of restoring it without a huge amount of work. There were multiple ragged cracks in the table and the arching had sunk badly. The market for small violas is quite specialized, and I very reluctantly kissed this one goodbye.
David Hart Posted October 6, 2014 Report Posted October 6, 2014 For that kind of work, I'd suggest James Robinson would be well qualified to fix it, who is in Chatswood. otherwise I would probably send you down to victoria. Or to America.
Michael Appleman Posted October 6, 2014 Report Posted October 6, 2014 Martin, there was a 3/4 Ortega at Brompton's, beautiful small Spanish violin. Could you be thinking of that one?
jandepora Posted December 10, 2015 Report Posted December 10, 2015 woooow! 10.800 USD in Tarisio...congratulations... Maybe that is the best violin found in the forum.
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