1920s Unmarked (Likely American) 4/4 Violin

Tone: This has an endearing, husky, sweet, and woody sound that's excellent for double-stops. It can sound pretty cajun played that way. When it's put-up against a louder, brighter instrument, however, one notices that it's not as well-defined or clear. Still, I think the mellowness and huskiness is a great advantage for recording or playing with a smaller group as the fiddle is always going to be louder than its contemporaries, anyhow. It definitely has something, though, that keeps people playing it in the shop.

Feel: The neck is more of a medium C shape and it feels a little bulkier in the left hand than the average modern instrument. I don't find it uncomfortable, though.

Interesting features: The wood is all solid throughout the instrument but the purfling is painted-on rather than real. I'm not sure if the top is press-arched but it might be. While I would normally think of this instrument as a "generic German import" instrument from around 1915-1925 or so, I think it's actually more likely to be an American-made instrument as some of the features and finish style line-up with Chicago-made offerings at the time. I can't be sure, however.

Repairs included: Previously, someone reglued a heel crack, reset the neck, and reglued a couple of cracks to the sides near the neck joint. It's all stable and good to go. Recently, Andy gave the board a level, fixed some seams (as I recall), fit the bridge and soundpost, and set it all up. It's playing well and is ready to serve.

• Maker: unknown (probably American, unmarked)
• Model: unknown
• Body style: Strad-ish
• Weight: 1 lb 1 oz
• Scale length: 13"
• Nut width: 7/8"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Body length: 14 1/8”
• Body width: 8 1/4"
• Body depth: 1 1/2"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple (very plain)
• Bridge: maple
• Fingerboard: ebonized mysterywood (likely maple)
• Neck wood: maple
• String height: between fiddling and classical
• Strings: Pearse Mezzos

Condition notes: It's quite beat-up in the looks department. The finish is very satin-looking and has lots of rosin depositing/darkening the top. The back and sides show some grunge and there's general wear and tear throughout. The tuners are a little sticky at the moment but we have some peg dope on the way to solve that before it heads-out. It's currently wearing an antique 1-fine-tuner tailpiece but it would be easy-enough to fit a 4-fine-tuner tailpiece if desired -- on the house.

It comes with: I will include some sort of old case.

Consignment tag: JW