1920s German Pearl-Inlaid 4/4 Violin

Overview: This handsome old thing bears a Made in Germany label inside which places it around the late 1910s or early 1920s, perhaps, though the style of this build is more in line with 1880s and 1890s violins that also feature similar decorative pearl/filler designs on the back like this one has. Those earlier ones almost never have a country-of-origin label, however, and these labels mostly start popping-up inside violins 1915-onwards from what I've seen. All that aside, this guy has a wide, warm, open sound to it which is a lot of fun for old-time and fiddling styles. The neck is a hair wider than normal at the nut but it's a comfortable player and its dark brown finish gives it a stand-out look.

Interesting features: It's on the back! It has an inlaid, sort-of art nouveau, pearl and filler bit of decoration smack in the center of the back. It's a lot more refined (with cool, raised "framing" around the inlaid parts) than most of the fiddles done in this style that I've seen. Usually you get simple geometric patterns filled with pearl scraps but this one had a lot more planning and skill involved. It's a nice extra. I also like the "rubbed edges" of the instrument when contrasted against the dark brown finish.

Repairs included: Manny gave this a neck reset, seam repairs, hairline crack repairs w/cleats for the top,  fingerboard plane, new bridge fitting, and setup with fresh Alphayue Thomastik strings. It's playing spot-on and ready to go!

• Weight: 1 lb 2 oz
• Scale length: 12 7/8"
• Nut width: 31/32"
• Neck shape: slim C/V
• Depth at first position: 11/16"
• Body length: 13 7/8"
• Body width: 8"
• Body depth: 1 1/2"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple
• Bridge: maple
• Fingerboard: ebony
• Neck wood: maple
• String height: 3/32" bass 1/16" treble (quick, between fiddler/classical heights)
• Strings: Thomastik Alphayue

Condition notes: It has a few hairline cracks repaired on the top and a lot of light to medium wear and tear throughout the finish via small nicks, dings, scratches etc. -- but it looks great overall. The tailpiece, bridge, and chinrest are unoriginal but it appears original otherwise.

It comes with: It comes with a hard case and decent student bow.

Consignment tag: CFFY