Q: E.H. Roth violins of the mid 20's

[MikeV]

I know Roth had made many violins up to this time, but wasn't sure if the early 20's was a demarcation between the period he was more involved in making violins himself vs. becoming more of a violin factory use of workshop.  AFAIK the grading system was introduced somewhere around 1924.  Was this just a better way for him to differentiate his base level vs. high level product?  Or was it a move to mass production and a wider product set?

[violinnewb]

1. I'm not an expert.

2. I own a 20's Roth (I am sure I will get some flak or snide remarks about ownership lol).

I have done a ton of research on Roth violins, including several e-mail exchanges with Wilhelm Roth (a very nice man).  My conclusion is that we can only be left to speculate as to the big question: How much of old man Roth was actually in the 20's violins?  Were they made by him? Finished by him? Approved by him?  Who knows?  All I know is that mine is beautiful, sounds gorgeous, and plays fantastic.  In the end, it doesn't matter to me.  

Having said that, I have personally played on 4 Roths from that decade and none sounded better than mine.  They were the lower grade Strad copies.  I have also seen many on auctions and at store websites.  So, that means (at least to me) that the old man was either a machine and put out a ton of violins, they were not all personally made by him, or there are a lot of fakes.  I believe that a little of all three apply.  He died in 48 so the so-called golden era of 1920 through 30 makes sense, but to say that these were all handmade by him...that seems somewhat questionable.

Are you asking because you own one?

[MikeV]

42 minutes ago, violinnewb said:

1. I'm not an expert.

2. I own a 20's Roth (I am sure I will get some flak or snide remarks about ownership lol).

I have done a ton of research on Roth violins, including several e-mail exchanges with Wilhelm Roth (a very nice man).  My conclusion is that we can only be left to speculate as to the big question: How much of old man Roth was actually in the 20's violins?  Were they made by him? Finished by him? Approved by him?  Who knows?  All I know is that mine is beautiful, sounds gorgeous, and plays fantastic.  In the end, it doesn't matter to me.  

Having said that, I have personally played on 4 Roths from that decade and none sounded better than mine.  They were the lower grade Strad copies.  I have also seen many on auctions and at store websites.  So, that means (at least to me) that the old man was either a machine and put out a ton of violins, they were not all personally made by him, or there are a lot of fakes.  I believe that a little of all three apply.  He died in 48 so the so-called golden era of 1920 through 30 makes sense, but to say that these were all handmade by him...that seems somewhat questionable.

Are you asking because you own one?

I'm asking because I've been on the lookout for one and like to be educated on the subject.  Most of the better Roth violins I've seen have better wood, tiger stripes, but I've also seen some early copies that weren't as nice to look at.  Wasn't sure how much weight I should put on the violin appearance.

[violinnewb]

43 minutes ago, MikeV said:

Wasn't sure how much weight I should put on the violin appearance.

Appearance as in aesthetics or as in visible damage?  I would put a little weight on appearance in either sense.  Sound first, mechanical condition second, aesthetics last.

Mine is aesthetically and mechanically stunning.  But honestly, I don't remember seeing a completely unattractive Roth in my search.  BTW, I wasn't looking for a Roth when I purchased mine.  Didn't even know anything about it until I fell in love with the playability and sound.  Purchased it for $1,500.  

[jacklinks]

1 hour ago, violinnewb said:

  Purchased it for $1,500.  

When did you find a good one that inexpensive? A long time ago, or did you find an outstanding deal recently?

[violinnewb]

23 hours ago, jacklinks said:

When did you find a good one that inexpensive? A long time ago, or did you find an outstanding deal recently?

Earlier this year.