1931 Dewey Fett 4/4 Violin

The label inside this beaut reads, "Dewey Fett, 1931, Antwerp, Ohio." Mr. Fett made several other instruments that can be sort-of seen online (a mandolin and another fiddle) and if I'm to judge by this one, they must be pretty decent offerings. From the front this looks like a nicer-grade German factory import from the time, but once you take a look at the flame on the one-piece back you know you've moved a few rungs up from there.

This is a nice-quality instrument and it plays well and sounds great. It's even-keeled, balanced, and has good volume. The arch to the top and back is a little taller than average but it doesn't have that "Amati" vibe going on where the tone gets pinched (sometimes). This has a woody, sweet sound that's clear as well.

Repairs included: setup, restring.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bridge: maple

Fingerboard: ebony

Neck wood: maple

String height: fiddle-style/lower
Strings: Pearse Mezzo (like Dominants)

Neck shape: medium C, thin board

Neck relief: straight

Scale length: 12 7/8"

Nut width: 15/16"

Body length: 13 7/8"

Body width: 8"

Body depth: 1 3/8"

Weight: 1 lb 0 oz

Condition notes: it's pretty clean throughout but does show average, minor wear all over. The fittings are all good-quality and ebony. The bridge is on the low side due to the taller arch but the last owner was playing it like this for decades and it doesn't seem to hurt the tone or playability.

It comes with: while I show a picture of the 2-fiddle TKL case this came in, I would have no problem locating a 1-fiddle hard case for it.