1974 Anthony Barbuto 4/4 Violin

Anthony (Tony) Barbuto built violins out of North Adams, MA since at least the '50s. Here's an old article on him full of some pretty hilarious info...

Buzzwords aside, this 1974 instrument sounds nice -- it's robust and "clean-and-clear" in voice -- and after tweaking, plays a treat, too. The finish is a curious walnut-like brown that I can't help but think reminds me of when this was built (the '70s) rather than the golden age of ancient violins...

It's built well, has some pretty maple on the back and sides, has an ebony fingerboard, and I've recently fit a new tailpiece (with vintage fine tuners), fit the Aubert bridge that came with it, fit a vintage chinrest, repaired a few loose seams, set the soundpost, and set it all up. It's ready to go.

Repairs included: minor seam repairs, setup adjustments, soundpost set, restring, replacement parts, etc.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bridge: maple Aubert-branded

Fingerboard: ebony

Neck wood: maple

String height: fiddle-style (low/fast)
Strings: perlon-core (like Dominants)

Neck shape: medium C

Neck relief: straight

Scale length: 12 7/8"

Nut width: 7/8"

Body width: 8 1/4"

Body depth: 1 1/2" + arching

Condition notes: it's in good order overall but does have minor wear throughout the finish. There's a little roughed-up patch along the seam on the back behind the heel but it's not obvious. The tailpiece, chinrest, bridge, and at least 3 of the pegs are replacements. The bone nut is a replacement, too. As always, I'd like to suggest the possibility of my installing Perfection Pegs (geared tuners) at the headstock to make life easier... but the friction pegs hold just fine.