1920s Paul Lorange 4/4 Violin w/Rope Binding

Overview: It's not too often that we get really cool old French violins in the shop. This one has a Paul Lorange label that likely dates it to the mid-late 1920s and it has an impeccable build with clean details and excellent wood choice. The inlay in the back and the rope binding at the top edge is just icing on the cake. It has an easy, even sound with very good balance and it responds quickly to the bow.

This maker (Paul Lorange II) was the son of Paul Victor Lorange, who made and repaired instruments in Lyon for about 20 years from around 1900-1920. Paul Lorange II went through the same apprenticeship process in Mirecourt his father had and then also worked in Paris for a time. Later, he formed a partnership with Paul Diter, a bow-maker, and the two set up shop in Marseilles. His instruments are known for best-quality work and fewer than 100 seem to have been produced.

Repairs included: Manny did a great job setting it up -- it needed minor board leveling/adjusting and then a few adjustments to the bridge. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 1 lb 1 oz
• Scale length: 12 7/8"
• Nut width: 15/16"
• Neck shape: quite slim C
• Neck depth near nut: 39/64"
• Neck depth before heel: 43/64"
• Body length: 14 1/8"
• Body width: 8 1/8"
• 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 classical and fiddle
• Strings: synthetic core
• Action height: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble at octave

Condition notes: There's some wear to the finish here and there -- light to medium stuff -- but mostly seen in lining in the varnish near the bridge. There are more scratches found on the back and near the endpin. The chinrest, pegs, and tailpiece are likely replacements, though the rest appears original. The bridge was left a little thick but can be thinned to taste -- just let us know how you like it! The last folks who worked on this and fit the pegs did a so-so job. They work nicely but the ends are stuck-out quite a bit and untrimmed.

It comes with: It has quite a good semi-hard/flight-style case.

Consignment tag: TMST