1900s Strad-Copy 4/4 Fine Quality Violin

Overview: This is a peculiar instrument. It has a repair label inside that reads "Repaired by Gerald Dashner, 1984, Charlestown, New Hampshire." It also has a generic, 1900s-looking Strad-copy faux-label in the usual position. There's an obituary for Mr. Dashner online and part of it reads, "...he was an avid reader, violin maker and repairer, clock maker, furniture maker, and loved the outdoors."

From what I'm seeing here, I think this is a nice-grade, 1900s-era German instrument that Mr. Dashner completely took apart, mildly recarved the top on (the inside of it), completely refinished, and put back together. It has a variety of light, characterful indentations under the new finish that suggest it had plenty of old small nicks and dings here and there throughout its life.

For what it's worth, the instrument definitely approves of its fresh lease on life and while it handles and looks like a fancy, newer violin, it sounds like a nicely-played-in, clean-sounding, warm-sounding, oldie.

Repairs included: As mentioned above, I'm pretty sure that it got a bunch of work in 1984 including a refinish, new bridge and tailpiece and chinrest, and other associated work. This time around, Manny gave it a good setup and, as I recall, mild board plane. It's playing beautifully and is ready to roll.

• Weight: 1 lb 0 oz
• Scale length: 12 7/8"
• Nut width: 15/16"
• Neck shape: slim-medium C
• Neck depth near nut: 0.75"
• Neck depth before heel: 0.78"
• 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: 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: Like I said, I believe this to be a refinished, antique instrument. It has a non-original bridge, chinrest, pegs, and tailpiece. I found no cracks. The finish has a few marks here and there but it's very clean.

It comes with: It's got an older, foam-style case.

Consignment tag: ELEM