Medio Fino Student Violin

[gypsygirl]

 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 ! 

[vathek]

My understanding is that JTL label wasn't used after the 1890s

[Brad Dorsey]

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.

[Ben Hebbert]

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. 

 

[Jacobus Drainer]

I wonder if the bow with it was also French.

[gypsygirl]

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

[gypsygirl]

The bow does seem to be missing something in one area

[gypsygirl]

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. 

[Stephen Perry]

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!

[Jacobus Drainer]

I kind of like plain maple like that, or whatever the wood is.  Saw it described as "boldly plain" somewhere :)

 

[Brad Dorsey]

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.

[gypsygirl]

No that was me. I couldn’t for some reason get into my account. 

[Jacobus Drainer]

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 :)

[Navid Shahali]

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