vintage HILL'S chinrests

[mendicus]

Among various old violin accesories I have found these four Hill's chinrests

[J.DiLisio]

Those are really interesting designs. I’d be interested to find out if they were more experimental one-off’s or produced on a larger scale.

The Hill chin rest I have is more standard..

[Ingram.fan]

On 6/8/2018 at 10:11 AM, J.DiLisio said:

Those are really interesting designs. I’d be interested to find out if they were more experimental one-off’s or produced on a larger scale.

The Hill chin rest I have is more standard..

Do you have any other Hill chinrests that you'd be willing to part with? I'm a 3rd year student at the Queensland Conservatorium in Australia and I'm preparing to write a paper on the history of violin chinrests, I know that Hill chinrests were quite popular in the 20th century.

[Altgeiger]

The bottom one of the four is a kind I've been interested to try. They're hard to find for sale.

Edited November 8 by Altgeiger
I apparently can't count or read.

[David Burgess]

3 hours ago, Altgeiger said:

The bottom one of the four is a kind I've been interested to try. They're hard to find for sale.

It would be quite easy  to make a facsimile to try.

[Guido]

On 6/8/2018 at 8:11 AM, J.DiLisio said:

Those are really interesting designs. I’d be interested to find out if they were more experimental one-off’s or produced on a larger scale.

No2 and No4 designs are often encountered with French trade instruments and I think they can be seen in old JTL catalogues, too. Not sure, maybe they go back to the Hills in design. Or maybe the OP2&4 aren't even Hill and just got a Hill clamp.

Here is a fun example of No4 that integrates the idea of a shoulder rest.

 

[Daviolin]

On 6/8/2018 at 12:11 AM, J.DiLisio said:

Those are really interesting designs. I’d be interested to find out if they were more experimental one-off’s or produced on a larger scale.

The Hill chin rest I have is more standard..

That beast must affect the sound like crazy..

[LCF]

10 hours ago, Guido said:

Here is a fun example of No4 that integrates the idea of a shoulder rest.

I used that type for a while, with and without the lower part. I quite like them. I don't have a neck like an ostrich so they fit me well. 

Isn't it known as a 'Spohr' type chinrest? 

[A432]

J. Dilisio's and example three look like the Brandt model. Which is, IMHO, ideal.

[The Violin Beautiful]

On 6/7/2018 at 8:11 PM, J.DiLisio said:

Those are really interesting designs. I’d be interested to find out if they were more experimental one-off’s or produced on a larger scale.

The Hill chin rest I have is more standard..

I have seen all four of those models over the years. I have the third model in a box of old parts, and it comes with a clip-on shoulder pad/rest. 

[Spelman]

I have one exactly like the second one you posted.

I have five or six old chinrests, I can post if you're interested.

[elise2000]

I have an old hill and son’s chin rest catalogue. Can post photos of it if of any interest?

[Guido]

10 minutes ago, elise2000 said:

I have an old hill and son’s chin rest catalogue. Can post photos of it if of any interest?

That would be awesome!

[Altgeiger]

3 hours ago, elise2000 said:

I have an old hill and son’s chin rest catalogue. Can post photos of it if of any interest?

I'd love to see that!

[Sorgo]

On 11/8/2024 at 3:24 PM, Altgeiger said:

The bottom one of the four is a kind I've been interested to try. They're hard to find for sale.

Depending on one's location, this shop might be an option.

I got the "banana" chinrest for my viola from them; I really quite liked it before I changed my shoulder rest setup. Might go back to it at some point.

[elise2000]

Here is the catalogue

On 11/10/2024 at 1:47 AM, Altgeiger said:

I'd love to see that!

[Northerner]

If anyone got The Strad model from the list above, I’d like to buy one

[JacksonMaberry]

On 11/8/2024 at 4:24 AM, Altgeiger said:

The bottom one of the four is a kind I've been interested to try. They're hard to find for sale.

Not too hard to make, though. You can buy the brackets/hardware from many suppliers, including on eBay/Amazon/etc. 

[Richf]

FWIW Gotz makes an affordable copy of the Strad model chinrest in boxwood.  Not shown in the Hill catalogs I've seen, Hill made a Strad model in ebony, too.  In the attached photo, the Gotz is on the left, the boxwood Strad is on the right and the ebony Strad in the center.  Also not in the catalogs, I have a Guarneri chinrest in ebony.  I don't think it's a fake, but if you're searching for vintage Hill chinrests online, look sharp.  I've seen a fair number of examples with Hill hardware paired with old German chinrests.  

[Ingram.fan]

On 11/13/2024 at 5:18 AM, Northerner said:

If anyone got The Strad model from the list above, I’d like to buy one

I have one but I'm currently in talks with Alexander Accessories, if they don't end up buying I'd be happy to sell it to you. However, it came from an unfinished lot (probably when the store closed down) and it had a small chip on the edge of the bowl. I've had 'Stradpet' Titanium brackets installed on it and the chip has been repaired. If you're looking for a 'The Strad' in perfect condition then just be patient, I'm sure someone will list it on eBay within a year or two.

[Ingram.fan]

On 11/15/2024 at 2:04 AM, Richf said:

FWIW Gotz makes an affordable copy of the Strad model chinrest in boxwood.  Not shown in the Hill catalogs I've seen, Hill made a Strad model in ebony, too.  In the attached photo, the Gotz is on the left, the boxwood Strad is on the right and the ebony Strad in the center.  Also not in the catalogs, I have a Guarneri chinrest in ebony.  I don't think it's a fake, but if you're searching for vintage Hill chinrests online, look sharp.  I've seen a fair number of examples with Hill hardware paired with old German chinrests.  

@Northerner you could ask Richf for his 'The Strad' Models?

[Ingram.fan]

On 11/10/2024 at 5:48 AM, Spelman said:

I have one exactly like the second one you posted.

I have five or six old chinrests, I can post if you're interested.

Yes please!