Help needed identifying an old (but nice) vioin.

[PaganiniWanabee]

I'm looking to buy this violin and have it restored, but being new to violins I'm not sure what it is, so looking for a bit of a steer from experienced minds.

I've asked about the label, which I'm still waiting to hear back from, but to me it looks a nice violin with a nice top, flaming on the back and sides, and a nice overall colour and feel to the look of it. It looks like it should be a quality instrument that has been played for a long time, but again, I'm a bit of a newbie with things violin.

If you could give many any ideas at all as to it's age, or where it's from, anything, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[jacobsaunders]

It is from the Markneukirchen/Schönbach cottage industry, c. end of 19^th C

[PaganiniWanabee]

25 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

It is from the Markneukirchen/Schönbach cottage industry, c. end of 19^th C

Hi Jacob. Thanks for quick reponse and detail! Don't suppose you or anyone would know how much it would cost to get in working order (I don't know how much the violin might be worth so knowing the cost of restoration would be useful)?

[J-G]

Looks like most of the bits are there— so why isn't it strung up?  That is, what work have you been told it requires?

Don't even think of buying it before your repair person has seen and handled it!

[FiddleDoug]

"have it restored" can cover a lot of ground and dollars! Since you're inexperienced with this, you should have a luthier take a look at it to see what needs to be done, and get a rough cost estimate. Plan on a minimum of a few hundred $ to get it up and running. (Bridge, peg work, tailpiece, strings, etc.) I would also chuck the case and get a new one that will actually provide some protection for the instrument. Pretty sure that you'll need a new bow as well.

[Wood Butcher]

2 hours ago, PaganiniWanabee said:

I'm looking to buy this violin and have it restored, but being new to violins I'm not sure what it is, so looking for a bit of a steer from experienced minds.

Or you could go to a shop where you can try already restored violins, see which you like best.

Buying an unplayable ratty moneypit is a huge gamble for a beginner. You may end up spending more than it is worth between the purchase, restoration, new bow, case etc.
And after all of that, it may not have a tone which is pleasing to you.

[PaganiniWanabee]

Hi Everyone. Thank you all so much for your input, it's really useful to have your take on things. I sounds like it's most the way there in terms of work needing doing to it, and also has had some love put into it's manufacture, so will progress with things and see how they go. Thanks again everyone:)

[HoGo]

Looks like there may be a SP crack in the 3rd picture...

[PaganiniWanabee]

6 minutes ago, HoGo said:

Looks like there may be a SP crack in the 3rd picture...

Hi HoGo. WHat's an 'SP crack', and would it be expensive to fix you think?

[matesic]

Google : A violin SP crack is a crack in the top of a violin, usually between the bridge and the F-hole, that can be caused by a sound post that is too long

[PaganiniWanabee]

24 minutes ago, matesic said:

Google : A violin SP crack is a crack in the top of a violin, usually between the bridge and the F-hole, that can be caused by a sound post that is too long

Thanks Matesic. From looking at the pic, I guess you mean where the arrow I made is pointing? Would that be correct, do you think that's what HoGo what in suggesting?

Does anyone have an idea of how much a fix would be if there is an issue there? I'm going to ask for more photos to have a better look.

The violin's looking to cost £150, is this too much, does anyone think it's worth it with or without a fix being necessary?

[HoGo]

Yes, that white line looks like a SP crack that goes directly through SP area. This reduces value of the violin basicly to zero. Correct repair involves patching from inside and still value after repair is significantly reduced.

On valuable instrument it's worth to repair but you can get better instrument than that for fraction of the cost of the repair.

[Guido]

@PaganiniWanabee the story goes like this: Attic violin is found and taken to the nearest luthier with $-signs in the eyes of the bearer. Luthier says not worth repairing, and no, I don't want it either. Violin is "disposed of" on ebay, the owner "knowing nothing about it".

[PaganiniWanabee]

Hi Guido, HoGo and everyone else. Thank you all for your input, this violin sounds like a dead end, so will give it a pass. Thanks you all again so much for your help, it's been really useful having your thoughts. Thanks again:)