John L Koontz anybody heard of this maker?

[NCC1701]

Hi I recently came into possession of an American fiddle by a maker it says John L Koontz wasn’t able to find anything but here’s some pics. The wood is nice the sound is surprisingly very warm and open it looks to have been taken care of considering it says it’s from 1960. Any info would be much appreciated or input. Thanks. 

[PhilipKT]

Pretty violin. Maybe he was an amateur?

[NCC1701]

I think so, wasn’t able to find anything at all about any other works. 

[Steve HS]

He was my great grandfather and I watched him make it in his basement. 

Steve 503-781-5430

[PhilipKT]

On 12/27/2020 at 10:54 AM, Steve HS said:

He was my great grandfather and I watched him make it in his basement. 

Steve 503-781-5430

That’s cool. You should write up your memories of his violin making for future reference. If that is all his work, wood and varnish, you should document it, including how many he made( including violas and cellos) where he learned and what were his inspirations, and so on.

Edited December 29, 2020 by PhilipKT

[Strad O Various Jr.]

The violin was made in Markneukirchen Germany, what you watched in your basement was him mucking around with a white violin he had bought from Germany

[jacobsaunders]

3 hours ago, Strad O Various Jr. said:

The violin was made in Markneukirchen Germany, what you watched in your basement was him mucking around with a white violin he had bought from Germany

I doubt that, although I could imagine that he bought a pre-made scroll. I found it curious that he wrote “The famous dolphin model” on the label, next to two pictures of ducks

[Strad O Various Jr.]

41 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

I doubt that, although I could imagine that he bought a pre-made scroll. I found it curious that he wrote “The famous dolphin model” on the label, next to two pictures of ducks

I just thought it looked like BOB construction.