1970 Pfretzschner Model 1301 Strad-Copy 4/4 Violin

Overview: Pfretzschners have been popular for a long time as good, reliable instruments for a mass audience. This one is West German, made in 1970, and was marketed as a Stradivarius copy. It has a "Schutt Shop Adjusted" label from, presumably, the retailer that sold it back in the day.

Tone: It's got an endearing, solid, no-frills sort-of sound -- direct and to the point.

Feel: It's got a medium-sized, C-shaped neck profile and a quick feel.

Interesting features: I like the "bikini" finishes on '60s and '70s Pfretzschners -- meaning it's got a bit of a sunburst look to it but with a darkened section in the middle. Aside from aesthetics, I'm not sure of intent -- to maybe suggest the look of nice old violins with rosin-deposit darkening? I also really like the way the edges have been left free of stain or coloring and how that gives them the look of "binding" -- like on a guitar -- in a sense.

Repairs included: Andy fit a new bridge, reglued and leveled/planed the fingerboard, fit a new soundpost, and set it up. It's now playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 1 lb 2 oz
• Scale length: 12 3/4"
• Nut width: 7/8"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Body length: 13 7/8"
• Body width: 8 1/4"
• Body depth: 1 1/2"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple
• Bridge: maple
• Fingerboard: ebony
• Neck wood: maple
• String height: between fiddler's low and classical
• Strings: unsure

Condition notes: It's overall quite clean save minor average usewear and a few small nicks and scratches on the top and a few in the back.

It comes with: It's got a semi-rigid, foam-style case.

Consignment tag: BUST