1900s Joseph Kloz-Copy 4/4 Violin

Overview: This old Kloz-branded violin is a mid-grade, German-made, import model from around 1900 or so. The label is essentially meaningless but it suggests that it's copying the style of Josef Kloz, son of the famous Sebastian Kloz. That said, the finish coloration is reminiscent of some Kloz instruments, so perhaps I'm being unkind. This instrument, in particular, has a woody, simple sort-of tone that does well with old-time fiddling and double stops. It handles nicely despite a myriad of old repairs (and re-repairs) and has the look of an old friend due to the sheer amount of wear.

Interesting features: It's got a one-piece back of lightly-figured maple, a solid spruce top with decently-tight grain, and a nicely-cut scroll and pegbox. There's "rubbed" edges at the headstock and body edges to give a good contrasting effect. The finish itself has actual wear and tear and then some suggested wear that was done at the factory, like the lighter areas on the middle of the back and the treble, upper-bout of the back -- these give the impression of lots of handling that has leeched color from the finish, with the upper-bout big suggesting that it's had a ton of thumb-position reach-around in that area.

Repairs included: Manny did a ton of work on this one. He re-reset the neck, repaired (cleated/sealed) a number of top cracks, planed the fingerboard, fit a new bridge, cleaned it up, and set it up. It's playing spot-on and is ready to serve.

• Weight: 1 lb 0 oz
• Scale length: 13"
• Nut width: 59/64"
• Neck shape: slim C
• Depth at first position: 49/64"
• Depth just before heel: 13/16"
• Body length: 14"
• Body width: 8 1/8"
• Body depth: 1 1/2"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple
• Bridge: maple
• Fingerboard: ebonized maple
• Neck wood: maple
• String height: between fiddle and classical (~1/16" treble and ~3/32" height at octavE)
• Strings: Alphayue Tomastik

Condition notes: It has a number of repaired top cracks and seam repairs -- all are stable. The back of the heel has a broken area of back (the "overlap") but the joint itself is tidy and secure. This area had been broken and "repaired" before and then painted-up brown a bit to cover the old repair. During that old repair, an interesting little "pyramid-shaped" pin was fit at the back of the heel. Weird and curious! -- so Manny left it there. There are scratches, scuffs, small nicks and small dings here and there throughout the finish and the finish itself is dulled to a mild, satin sort-of look.

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

Consignment tag: JW