gypsygirl Posted December 25, 2018 Report Share Posted December 25, 2018 Just wondering if anybody could help me determine the authenticity of this violin. Purchased at an estate sale and was wondering if it’s even worth restoring. In person and has more of a reddish tone to the wood. On the inside it is stamped Medio Fino , and on the opposite side ( inside ) is a logo and initials JTL. I also can’t tell if those are actual cracks or just deep scratches on the back at the bottom. Thank you for time ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vathek Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 My understanding is that JTL label wasn't used after the 1890s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 This is unquestionably an authentic Medio Fino, and it appears to be in quite nice near-mint condition. I have set up many Medio Finos like this for playing. The main thing that they usually require is replacement fingerboards because the original fingerboards were normally made of a soft non-ebony wood (pear wood?) that wears quickly and tends to disintegrate over time. I think many restorers would not consider a Medio Fino worth the time required to fit a fingerboard. You have to decide if it's worth it for you. I'm not sure if those are cracks at the lower back edge, but if they are they are minor. Another thing I notice with Medio Finos is that the peg holes are sharply tapered, so if they are reamed to a standard taper they come out a bit large. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Hebbert Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 34 minutes ago, Brad Dorsey said: This is unquestionably an authentic Medio Fino, and it appears to be in quite nice near-mint condition. I have set up many Medio Finos like this for playing. The main thing that they usually require is replacement fingerboards because the original fingerboards were normally made of a soft non-ebony wood (pear wood?) that wears quickly and tends to disintegrate over time. I think many restorers would not consider a Medio Fino worth the time required to fit a fingerboard. You have to decide if it's worth it for you. I'm not sure if those are cracks at the lower back edge, but if they are they are minor. Another thing I notice with Medio Finos is that the peg holes are sharply tapered, so if they are reamed to a standard taper they come out a bit large. Absolutely concur with Brad. Totally genuine. These violins are better than you would expect, so it is certainly worth assessing what restoration would cost (including new pegs), as it is probably well worth the effort. Not worth a fortune, but still feel very encouraged to get it put into good order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Merkel Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 I wonder if the bow with it was also French. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsygirl Posted December 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 7 minutes ago, Bill Merkel said: I wonder if the bow with it was also French. Thank you all so much for your input. It is a German bow. All markings , reddish colored wood With not a single scratch, and octagon shape. Please excuse my ignorance. Pictures attached Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsygirl Posted December 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 The bow does seem to be missing something in one area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsygirl Posted December 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 1 hour ago, Brad Dorsey said: This is unquestionably an authentic Medio Fino, and it appears to be in quite nice near-mint condition. I have set up many Medio Finos like this for playing. The main thing that they usually require is replacement fingerboards because the original fingerboards were normally made of a soft non-ebony wood (pear wood?) that wears quickly and tends to disintegrate over time. I think many restorers would not consider a Medio Fino worth the time required to fit a fingerboard. You have to decide if it's worth it for you. I'm not sure if those are cracks at the lower back edge, but if they are they are minor. Another thing I notice with Medio Finos is that the peg holes are sharply tapered, so if they are reamed to a standard taper they come out a bit large. Thank you I truly appreciate your response. I Will have to find someone local for a quote on restoration or consider selling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Perry Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 Bill, that's what I immediately wondered. I end up bushing the big side of the peg holes on these. No biggie and keeps the new pegs normal sized and tapered. I want it. Fun instruments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Merkel Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 I kind of like plain maple like that, or whatever the wood is. Saw it described as "boldly plain" somewhere :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 12 hours ago, gypsygirl said: ...It is a German bow. All markings , reddish colored wood With not a single scratch, and octagon shape... Pictures attached... Someone else recently posted pictures here of an identical W A Pfretzschner bow. Check it out here: https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/341642-info-on-bow/ It's uncanny to see two of them here in such rapid succession. Both bows are in such clean condition that I had to wonder if they are modern fakes, but apparently they're not. 12 hours ago, gypsygirl said: The bow does seem to be missing something in one area... It looks like it's missing part of the grip, or maybe not. Compare your bow with the other one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsygirl Posted December 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 No that was me. I couldn’t for some reason get into my account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Merkel Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 1 hour ago, Brad Dorsey said: It's uncanny to see two of them here in such rapid succession. Both bows are in such clean condition that I had to wonder if they are modern fakes, but apparently they're not. Same bow and same pics. She started that thread too then forgot her password :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navid Shahali Posted March 3, 2020 Report Share Posted March 3, 2020 Hello guys. Actually I am not sure about my violin's quality and its history. It is built by Thibouville Lamy.(Medio Fino from 1911) Moreover it has a big crack on the top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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