Can you help me identify my violin?

[Cee]

Hello,

 I would like to know more about my 4/4 violin.

- Question 1: 

My guess is that it is an instrument made in Germany, in the Vogtland area during, or after, the 1920’s. There is a label inside in German saying it was (although it is not anymore!) fitted with a “Rekordstimme”. It is a patented soundpost made by someone named Ernest Paul Todt; the invention has been previously mentioned by @Blank face in an old post. I have found that the patent dated 1922, and that Todt owned a musical instrument shop in the town of Erlbach. After reading few threads on MN, I think my violin is from the Vogtland region in Germany. It seems like most violins sold in Germany at that time were mass-produced there, right? Could you tell me whether the pictures are in agreement with my hypothesis (Vogtland and 1920's or later)?

- Question 2:

I believe that a lot of violins are made in the spirit of the work of famous violin makers, that is why a lot of old cheap violins are labelled for instance Stradivarius. I am very interested in knowing whether you can find similarity between my violin and a well-known violin “pattern”. Also, I would like to learn more about such “patterns”. What are the sound characteristics of the violins built following these famous designs? Are there any online resources with good explanations for someone who is not an expert? Obviously I am not saying that a copy of a Stradivarius will sound like a Stradivarius, but there must be certain designs that give the violin certain qualities (e.g. more projection or a “deeper” sound, etc…). Admittedly I could be completely wrong about this…

Thank you in advance

 

[Violadamore]

@Cee, IMHO:

#1--  Yup, it looks to me like a rather nice 1920's or later Markie.  I like the one-piece back.

#2--  In my limited understanding of these subjects, you are opening a can of worms here.

A.  Trade violins usually aren't copies of anything in particular  They are blends of characteristics, no matter what their labels say.

B. Intentional tonal copies are extremely difficult to attempt, and won't be found among trade fiddles. 

[Cee]

1 hour ago, Violadamore said:

#1--  Yup, it looks to me like a rather nice 1930's or later Markie.  I like the one-piece back.

 

Thanks a lot for confirming and providing additional details. Although the only label was for the soundpost, it seems like it was indeed a good indication of the origin of the violin.

1 hour ago, Violadamore said:

#2--  In my limited understanding of these subjects, you are opening a can of worms here.

A.  Trade violins usually aren't copies of anything in particular  They are blends of characteristics, no matter what their labels say.

B. Intentional tonal copies are extremely difficult to attempt, and won't be found among trade fiddles. 

Ok, that makes sense.

[Violadamore]

43 minutes ago, Cee said:

Thanks a lot for confirming and providing additional details. Although the only label was for the soundpost, it seems like it was indeed a good indication of the origin of the violin.

Ok, that makes sense.

I had a typo in my answer, and corrected it to read, "1920's or later". 

[Cee]

On 11/2/2021 at 6:06 PM, Violadamore said:

I had a typo in my answer, and corrected it to read, "1920's or later". 

Ok, Thanks! Sorry, for the delayed reply. I am in Europe and we did not have access to MN for few days. All the best