Alexander James Stew Posted June 16, 2021 Report Share Posted June 16, 2021 Please does anyone have any information on the Bohemian maker from Prague Jan Basta? Was he a maker himself or was he to Prague as Vuillaume was to Paris..simply a dealer who employed different workers/ makers? I heard some where that he had different quality instruments....according to the labels...but honestly am in the dark. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 IMHO, yet another labeling for "the usual rubbish", i.e., mass produced (though handmade) trade violins from Schönbach. Lately, they've been getting grossly overpriced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Jan Basta is a name one may see in thousands and thousands of Schönbach boxes of the Dutzendarbeit variety. I presume he was a “Verleger” (dealer) if he was a person at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 6 hours ago, Violadamore said: IMHO, yet another labeling for "the usual rubbish", i.e., mass produced (though handmade) trade violins from Schönbach. Lately, they've been getting grossly overpriced. Dear Violadamore, I just found out that Jan Basta had various people working for him and his top instruments are a far cry from as you quoted" the usual rubbish." Judge for yourself... The following photos are from a violin from around 1900 made to look older but with a certain intrinsic character and quality. It carries a black label with gold edges that was reserved for " Jan Basta's" top instruments quoted from " Jalovec"And before you denigrate Schönbach, look into some of the fine makers from that area during this period. " Jalovec's" book on Bohemian makers ....The following violin is far from " rubbish" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 As I said above, a Dutzendarbeit from a price grade slightly above the cheapest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Actually the most expensive in his range....Give me a violin like this with good wood, age and decently made any day over modern Chinese instruments in a similar price bracket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Dear Jakub, If you in possession of Karol Jolovec's book on " Bohemian violin makers" read what he says about JAN BASTA and his instruments. It's an interesting book to have if there is interest in the makers from area. 7 hours ago, Violadamore said: IMHO, yet another labeling for "the usual rubbish", i.e., mass produced (though handmade) trade violins from Schönbach. Lately, they've been getting grossly overpriced. Dear Violadamore, I just found out that Jan Basta had various people working for him and his top instruments are a far cry from as you quoted" the usual rubbish." Judge for yourself... The following photos are from a violin from around 1900 made to look older but with a certain intrinsic character and quality. It carries a black label with gold edges that was reserved for " Jan Basta's" top instruments quoted from " Jalovec"And before you denigrate Schönbach, look into some of the fine makers from that area during this period. " Jalovec's" book on Bohemian makers ....The following violin is far from " rubbish" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeH Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 39 minutes ago, Alexander James Stew said: The following violin is far from " rubbish" Since you are new to MN, the term "usual rubbish" is used here somewhat endearingly for common German trade violins (which yours is) across a wide spectrum of quality and value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 14 minutes ago, Alexander James Stew said: Dear Violadamore, I just found out that Jan Basta had various people working for him and his top instruments are a far cry from as you quoted" the usual rubbish." Judge for yourself... The following photos are from a violin from around 1900 made to look older but with a certain intrinsic character and quality. It carries a black label with gold edges that was reserved for " Jan Basta's" top instruments quoted from " Jalovec"And before you denigrate Schönbach, look into some of the fine makers from that area during this period. " Jalovec's" book on Bohemian makers ....The following violin is far from " rubbish" Dear and most appreciated fellow defender of Schönbach, You have misinterpreted "the usual rubbish" (originally a quote from @jacobsaunders, now long used ironically) as denigratory, when it isn't. It's simply an acknowledgement that the violin-dealing community at large refuses to apply the category of "fine violin" to anything produced for sale as a commodity rather than as a supposed work of "fine art" (whatever that is; the evidence is that many "golden era" makers ran workshops). I personally have been a long-time champion of "trade violins" around here, advocating buying, repairing, playing, and selling them, at a time when most voices here advocated eradicating them as a hazard to the trade. Now, as the demand for older violins has heated up, they are tending to price them in the low thousands, rather than piling them up in bonfires. What you have looks to be a better example of the rather diverse species. How does it sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 1 minute ago, GeorgeH said: The "usual rubbish" is used here somewhat endearingly for German Trade violins across a wide spectrum of quality and value. Dear George, I agree.... But it stems from the norm that only the Italian and some french and maybe a handful of German makers hit the mark in terms of real quality. The rest, and in my opinion quite unfairly ...is just regarded as " trade junk". Reminds me of a funny story with the former owner of the music shop " Guiviers" in London Alan Wilkes. Whenever he had a doubt about a violin, his customary comment would be..." Nice fiddle, but Dutch ribs and French back" lol..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 2 minutes ago, Violadamore said: Dear and most appreciated fellow defender of Schönbach, You have misinterpreted "the usual rubbish" (originally a quote from @jacobsaunders, now long used ironically) as denigratory, when it isn't. It's simply an acknowledgement that the violin-dealing community at large refuses to apply the category of "fine violin" to anything produced for sale as a commodity rather than as a supposed work of "fine art" (whatever that is; the evidence is that many "golden era" makers ran workshops). I personally have been a long-time champion of "trade violins" around here, advocating buying, repairing, playing, and selling them, at a time when most voices here advocated eradicating them as a hazard to the trade. Now, as the demand for older violins has heated up, they are tending to price them in the low thousands, rather than piling them up in bonfires. What you have looks to be a better example of the rather diverse species. How does it sound? Many thanks for your words of wisdom Violadamore. I could not agree more. I am still waiting for this particular instrument. I do not actually have it in my hands as of yet. But I will let you know how it sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 It was quite interesting that I worked both in Germany and Austria, since German and Austrian attics have a slightly different assortment of late 19th. C school violins. Whilst the German music shops seem to have been supplied from Markneukirchen, the Austrian ones are in the majority from the Bohemian half of the Musikwinkel. Apart from the usual Stradivarius and so on, One sees labels from Placht, Lutz, Fischer Grazlitz etc. Importing from Saxon would presumably have caused one to have to cross a customs boarder, or do some serious smuggling. The “Basta” violin you illustrate is the classical “Dutzendarbeit”, and Basta a Wholesaler with a veritable army of “self-employed” home workers. “Dutzendarbeit”can look/sound quite nice if you clean them up properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 6 minutes ago, Alexander James Stew said: I am still waiting for this particular instrument. I do not actually have it in my hands as of yet. Another duped Ebay lifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Many thanks Jacob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Dear Jakob, Another duped " Ebay lifer". Before you pass judgement.....Well I guess you must have missed this one on E bay? Better luck next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 3 minutes ago, Alexander James Stew said: Dear Jakob, Another duped " Ebay lifer". Before you pass judgement.....Well I guess you must have missed this one on E bay? Better luck next time. There is no chance of me "missing" anything on Ebay, since I don't bother with it. My only role is to explain to euphoric people that their Ebay "conquest" is normally the usual, and scarcely worth repairing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Not the " case" here would you agree? I was pretty " euphoric" with this.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 26 minutes ago, Alexander James Stew said: Not the " case" here would you agree? I was pretty " euphoric" with this.... Ummmm..........I'd be very cautious here. I'd consider this a nice silver mounted bow, stamped "Hammig", by a party or parties unknown. A lot of shops have stamps lying around, and, IMHO, this stamping doesn't look like an original 19th. Century Hammig. There have also been more than a few Hammigs selling bows. It will come down to how well it plays for you. A more likely example for comparison: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbow Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Sorry I have adjusted the case of the title as all caps is a bit hard on the eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Another eBay defender of a potentially dubious purchase? Ultimately, if one is happy with their purchase, it's all good. However, if there's a desire to defend, maybe there are also doubts and regrets? ...and I'm off to keep an eye on my grass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin swan Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Violadamore said: Ummmm..........I'd be very cautious here. I'd consider this a nice silver mounted bow, stamped "Hammig", by a party or parties unknown. A lot of shops have stamps lying around, and, IMHO, this stamping doesn't look like an original 19th. Century Hammig. There have also been more than a few Hammigs selling bows. It will come down to how well it plays for you. A more likely example for comparison: I suspect the OP has had his “Hammig” appraised and is happy with the verdict … It’s a lot nicer than, and made by someone quite different from, the manky example you cite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matesic Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 A few years ago I bought this one (sight unseen) from an auction house that neglected to mention that in the past it had undergone violent decapitation. At £40 plus commission I didn't feel cheated, but it didn't play well. A year or so later I sold it via a different auction house that also somehow failed to mention the decapitation. Overall I just about broke even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 6 minutes ago, martin swan said: I suspect the OP has had his “Hammig” appraised and is happy with the verdict … It’s a lot nicer than, and made by someone quite different from, the manky example you cite. Thanks. You'd certainly know better than I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Shelbow said: Sorry I have adjusted the case of the title as all caps is a bit hard on the eyes. Ok no problem many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander James Stew Posted June 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 12 minutes ago, Violadamore said: Thanks. You'd certainly know better than I would. Jochum Schmidt saw the bow and said it was by J W KNOPF.Its a lovely bow, but too light for my own personal taste 55g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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