Rue Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 For those interested in having a violin potentially identified (and not all can be identified solely based on photos regardless), please take some basic photos of your instrument. Photographs must be clear (not blurry) and well-lit (so details show). Do not have a distracting background (such as patterned tablecloths or bedding). Do not photograph the instrument from odd angles. Please provide the following basic shots: 1. Body, Front and Back 2. Body, Right side and left side, to show the arching 3. Scroll, Front and back 4. Scroll, Right side and left side 5. Detail of f-hole and C-bout (shows the purfling) 6. Saddle 7. Label (be aware that labels are often faked, replaced with labels from other instruments, and may be of little value. You may also want to add additional photographs of interest, such as a neck graft, repairs, anything that strikes you as unusual that may make the instrument easier to identify. A violin can be 'stood' upright on a sturdy container, such as a heavy water glass or jar or small sturdy bowl. Please ensure that the instrument will not fall while being photographed. Example*: *These photographs were taken by YitaMusic. I own the violin itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim mcavoy Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I think this should be pinned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_Molnar Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I second Jim's motion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Brilliant, Rue. The only thing I would add to this is that oblique corner details are useful for seeing how far the rib corners project. That's good for spotting "built on back". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Thank you all! I thought a link to this might be easier than rewriting or explaining what kind of photos are needed. Brilliant, Rue. The only thing I would add to this is that oblique corner details are useful for seeing how far the rib corners project. That's good for spotting "built on back". If you have a couple of examples handy. ..please post them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 For examining corners, I suggest photos similar to these: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Perfect! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscus Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 I think this should be pinned X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edi malinaric Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Hi All - google "Violin Photography" by Michael Darnton and all shall be exposed. cheers edi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Wow, nice photos Rue. Nice fiddle. Despite my work in the "upper field " of violin construction, Rue - where four fine tuners on the tp is sort of looked down on as unnecessary, and perhaps child-like. (which is strictly a theoretical and 'bygone' era for me now) - I have always loved that specific type of tailpiece... It seems to work as well as any other tailpiece, wood, metal - w or w/o tuners - whatever - and it accommodates my own fetish for tuning to absolute perfection - of course, to my tuning thumb, finger, ears, and hands, of many years ago... when I only needed the E string tuned with a fine tuner? Those days are a thing of the past for me... Having all four (as shown here) fine tuners, now is mandatory for me with my ear and my clumsy fingers... This tailpiece was and still is actually my favorite type. As, I kind of dislike "add on" tuners. No big deal I, just thought I'd add this thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Thanks. I can take no credit for the photos...they are from the seller. I own that violin though. Funny about the tailpiece. Next time I change strings it's gone! I have a lovely antique one from Duane I am going to replace it with. I like seeing what everyones' preferences are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Thanks. I can take no credit for the photos...they are from the seller. I own that violin though. Funny about the tailpiece. Next time I change strings it's gone! I have a lovely antique one from Duane I am going to replace it with. I like seeing what everyones' preferences are. I used to sell my own violins with either an ebony, or rosewood tail piece - and a choice of either an E, or an E and A - fine tuner. Yes, it'll be interesting to see what you put on, and what everyone's reaction is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasqueViolinist Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Thanks. I can take no credit for the photos...they are from the seller. I own that violin though. … Interesting. I have taken a look at the published photos of different violins offered for sale by YitaMusic, and other Chinese vendors such as ymmusicuser, in various of their listings, but in all cases, after contacting them directly, they replied that they are just stock photos and that the buyer will receive a violin "similar to the one in photo". How did you manage to get them to take pictures they are willing to vouch as exactly your violin? In one memorable case not too long ago, I got a reply to the effect that I would receive a violin that would be "not very similar to the photos". In my experience, only two such Chinese-violin vendors, Du Shi and Infinite Strings were willing to commit 100% to the guarantee that their photos were absolutely from the exact violin I would be buying. I went ahead and bought from both of them, I was very pleased with those transactions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted August 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 In this case they state that the instrument you get is the one in the pictures. I saved the pictures. When I received the violin I checked to see if all the little dings and imperfections were the same and they were. The pictures also disappear from the website after the sale is completed. Same thing with the other instruments I have purchased on-line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted May 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2017 Sorry, playing with the search engine, just bumping this to see if it helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted May 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2017 Oh! This is handy! Thank for pinning it! Now I know where it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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