1970s Meisel (German-made) 4/4 Violin

I see German-made Meisel instruments in the shop once in a while. Some are earlier, but most are from this era -- '70s or '80s (this one's '70s) -- and geared towards the student market. This is more of an "advanced student" instrument and while the build is simple and rugged, it's well-made and has a good, clean sound. It feels good in the hand.

While I have brand-new, good-quality John Pearse "Mezzo" (Thomastik Dominant-style) strings on it at the moment, I'll bet it would get more volume and velvety oomph out of something still synthetic-core but higher-tension (read: more expensive).

It's nice and clean and only needed minor adjustments to get it playing spot-on. The body has a great-looking "burst" finish with contrasting (unstained) edges. The back, sides, and neck all of minor figure throughout, too.

Repairs included: light setup and adjustments.

Setup notes: it's adjust for fast, fiddle-style playing.

Scale length: 12 7/8"

Nut width: 7/8"

String spacing at nut: 5/8"

String spacing at bridge: 1 3/8"

Body length: 14"

Lower bout width: 8 1/4"

Side depth at endpin: 1 1/2" +arching

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bracing type: tonebar

Fretboard: ebony

Bridge: maple

Neck feel: medium C-shape

Neck wood: maple

Condition notes: it appears all-original with perhaps the exception of the bridge. There are fine tuners for the A&E strings. The pegs at the headstock hold fine but can be sticky if pressed-in aggressively when tuning. As always, an $80 upgrade (part+time) to Perfection Pegs (4:1 geared units) is something I like to see on any violin as it makes them more fun to use. There are no cracks and only the most minor usewear throughout -- though there is a tiny chipout-repair at the side of the pegbox right where the G-string's peg enters.

It comes with: a nice hard case and a Glasser fiberglass bow in good shape.