G. A. Pfretzschner Fiddle

[WmAdams]

This is my first post on the forums. I've been learning violin repair/restoration for about a year now and have been learning through the repair of a variety of old factory fiddles in various states of disrepair. I know enough about identifying violins to make me dangerous, so I'm hoping someone might be able to tell me about this fiddle. I recently picked up this G.A. Pfretschner and I'm wondering what anyone might be able to tell me about it. From the research I've done, it seems many (or most) of these violins were student grade instruments although it appears some of the instruments were of reasonably good quality. This fiddle, unlike others I've worked on, seems well constructed. It has an independent bass bar, corner blocks and from what I can see with an inspection mirror the top plate seems to have been carved with more care than I've seen on other factory fiddles.

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to learning from folks!

[jacobsaunders]

G.A. Pfretschner was originally a string spinner. His firm became one of, if not the, largest Markneukirchen wholsalers of everything to do with Music. The firm lasted from 1834 until 1977, so you can find all grades of merchandise. We have spoken of G.A. Pfreschner numerous times, for instance here: 

 

[deans]

On the grand scale of things this still looks like its at the lower end of the spectrum. But it looks serviceable and in good condition.