1940s Pan-American Symphony Model 3570 4/4 Violin

Overview: This has Conn's "Pan-American Symphony" label in the bass f-hole but I have to imagine that this instrument is more than likely a European import instrument of some sort. It likely dates to the late '40s or very early '50s and I would guess that it's a postwar German-made critter -- and, judging by its original brown hard case -- must have been sold as a nicer-quality instrument.

Tone: It has a clean, even sound that's uncluttered by extra frequency wash. You get the note you're playing and it responds quickly. It's neither "shrill" nor "mellow" in sound. I was lucky-enough to get to hear a bluegrasser play it, however, and it did do that mids-pushed, almost-brassy thing when played in that fashion, too.

Feel: It's a quick and easier player with a nut width just a hair wider than normal and with a medium-profile, not-too-big, not-too-small feel to the back of the neck.

Interesting features: I like the "rubbed" edges where the finish color has been lightened to give it some contrast. The grain on the top is nice and tight and the back and sides have good-looking, medium-figured flamed maple. The clunkier, older fittings have been replaced with a fine-tuners-included tailpiece, better bridge, and good, modern chinrest.

Repairs included: Andy leveled the fingerboard, fit the bridge, replaced the tailpiece and chinrest, fit the pegs better, cleaned it up, set it up, and perhaps reglued a few loose seams. There's also one small repaired hairline crack at the top of the treble f-hole.

• Weight: 1 lb 2 oz
• Scale length: 13 1/16"
• Nut width: 15/16"
• Neck shape: medium C/soft V
• Body length: 13 3/4"
• Body width: 8"
• Body depth: 1 5/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple
• Bridge: maple
• Fingerboard: ebony
• Neck wood: maple
• String height: between fiddler's and classical
• Strings: Pearse

Condition notes: It's in overall good shape but does have one repaired hairline crack (small, pictured) at the treble f-hole. The finish looks good but, as you might expect, it shows light scratching here and there throughout. The tailpiece, bridge, and chinrest are replacements but the original bits are in the case.

It comes with: It has a nice, brown, better-grade, original hard case.

Consignment tag: LCL