1930s Strad-Copy Japanese 4/4 Violin

This one is probably a Suzuki-shop instrument. It reminds me of other 1920s/30s Suzuki-shop violins in the way it's built. Its label tells us it's a Stradivarius copy and otherwise only mentions "Made in Japan."

My guy Andy did all the work on this and he did a humdinger job -- this was a wreck that was literally in pieces in a cardboard box when it arrived ages ago. I'm glad to have Andy on hand as someone who's beginning to become a bowed-instrument repairman specialist, too, because he's starting to get through my backlog of violin-family instruments that have been accumulating for far too long.

Anyhow, it's a superb instrument with a ton of volume and easy playability. Each note comes quickly and easily and it has a balanced, even voice with plenty of power.

Repairs included: new blocking at endblock and corners, reglue of sides to back and top, new bridge, various replacement parts, crack repairs, fingerboard plane/level and buffing, new strings, fine tuner addition, etc. etc...

Weight: 1 lb 1 oz

Scale length: 12 7/8"

Nut width: 7/8"

Neck shape: slim-medium C

Body width: 18 3/8"

Body depth: 1 1/2" + arching

Body length: 14"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bracing type: tonebar

Bridge: maple

Fingerboard: ebony

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret: fiddle-height
String gauges: D'Addario Ascente

Neck relief: straight

Condition notes: it has a number of repaired hairline cracks and, in general, has a bunch of wear and tear.