Old Violin House » Interesting & Unusual

4 Star CH Diao Beijing Workshop Copy of Sebastian Klotz Baroque Viola Pro Level [90 VA]

ZJ — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:04:44 +0000

Professinal Level Instrument (4/4) With baroque bridge, baroque fingerboard, baroque tailpiece, baroque neck This is made by Diao, our Chinese violinmaker and is a copy of a late 17th century viola, labelled with Maker’s Signature with year and location Sebastian Klotz, in Mittenwald, An. 17** About Baroque music and how different it is from classical music The Baroque ideal is an arch of sound, appropriately well-sustained and well-proportioned. For Baroque music to get airborne,the line must soar. The bow is like the breath of a singer. To quote Donington : “Phrases generally go to a peak note, which is often though not always the highest note, and then relax to a note given away at the end. There is the unit; that much, and no less nor more, is the phrase; and it is for our own musicianship to recognize the fact. Nothing in the notation and nothing in the historical evidence, is going to show us the pattern if our own musicianship does not.” To achieve this, the modern violinist (with modern instrument) would have to slow down the bow, use less of it, and play into the string with the hair a little flatter and near the bridge. Why are Baroque instruments always so expensive. Because modern violinmakers no longer makes baroque instruments actively, those who do make them charges a high premium for it. Those customers whom I have spoken with actively will know I’ve spent over 1 year searching to make an accurate copy of baroque instruments. After much experimentation, I’m happy to say our current copy is a rather accurate one. If you open up the cello, you will see that even our bass bar is set differently from traditional modern cello. Buyers, however, should take note there are many many version of baroque instruments. There’s no real standard for it, only a more commonly available one. Our baroque instruments has been tested and examined by 8 baroque orchestral players from Spain, UK and NY, and has been acceptable by their standards. Measurements (in mm) Top: 167. Middle: 110. Bottom: 207. Body Length: 357. (For string playing length and neck length, please refer to the photos of the exact viola.)

Now you can truly experience this instrument in a baroque way! What’s in the box when I buy this viola? One viola, one viola case & one bow

Plus, I will add in this excellent baroque bow, which can be sold in retailer shops for over USD150. This item is normally shipped with the Bricks Pilot Case and Baroque Bow
Below is a gallery of photos of this model that has been sold previously.
#Sold Gallery

If you like to order this viola, you can choose from the latest inventory below: a After you have made your choice, just drop me an email and I will guide you for the purchase.

4 Star Vecchio Workshop A revolutionary 5-Strings VIOLIN VIOLA [410]

ZJ — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:25:53 +0000

This is a design of the next generation of violins with more than 4 strings. I am very happy and encouraged by many of my customers who have contributed to make this design possible. I have combined all the ideas and tested them on a few models at the workshop with my Vecchio maker. This is a 5 strings violin. But the unique design of this violin is that it has the body of a small viola with the length scaled down to 355mm. That is small enough for a warm hi E string that will remain pleasant to our ears. We increased the archings, and combined with the wider viola ribs and adjustments in the bass bar, a clear low C string is also made possible. We’ve increased the fingerboard slightly to accomodate the 5 strings. And we are very happy with the outcome of the tone achieved by this violin. We’ve already built this for 2 of our orchestral customers, who have been very happy with them so far. And we are happy to bring this unique violin to players looking for good flexibility. We see this as a major breakthrough in our design in modern violins. Oil varnished. Matching maple, sides, neck and scroll make this a beautiful masterpiece. Back:355 upper:168 middle:110 lower:211 ribs: 36 nut width:28 (mm)

Specifications: 100% Handmade, 100% hand oil-varnished. Selected Austrian Spruce Top, naturally air dried (over 50 years). Selected Flamed Maple Back, Ribs & Scroll, naturally air dried (over 12 years). Ebony Fingerboard. Hand-carved Ebony pegs, tailpiece and chinrest. Genuine Inlaid Purfling. What’s in the box when I buy this violin? One violin, one violin case & one bow

This item is normally shipped with the Bricks Pilot Case and Cobra Brazil Bow
Below is a gallery of photos of this model that has been sold previously.
#Sold Gallery

If you like to order this violin, you can choose from the latest inventory below: Latest Inventory After you have made your choice, just drop me an email and I will guide you for the purchase.

4 Star Wang Wenqing Workshop Violin attributed to Ralph Agutter 17th Century Unique Masterpiece Copy [308]

ZJ — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:17:58 +0000

Why have we made this violin? Violins throughout the 17th and 18th century have all retained many of their flavours. Apart from the dimensions of the violins, many famous violinmakers also included some inscriptions or emblem design on some of the violins they make, especially if it was dedicated to a king or some member of the Royal family. As many of the bidders would know me, I am a great fan of such craftworks so whenever I travel in Europe in search of old violins, I always keep a lookout for such masterpieces. But sometime these violins are kept in museums and they only allowed me to take some detailed photos. From these photos, I seek to recreate the magic of these violin. There was no original label in the violin I seek to re-create in this model. This violin would have been made for the Royal Household either late in the reign of Charles II (r.1660-1685). This instrument has been attributed to Ralph Agutter,a London maker, who was active at this time. The neck and pegbox are very similar to those belonging to two Agutter violins in private collections, one of which is also carved on the back. What else is unique about this violin? The back of the violin is carved from a single piece of maple. The delicate craftworks adds to the uniqueness for this violin, which in my opinion gives it added personality, making it a charming instrument to own. People are definitely going to talk about this instrument. It also plays wonderfully nicely as good quality tonewoods are used. Definitely a keeper. This violin is part of our “Make it good and make it rare” collection, which we limit the number of such violin we make at our workshop so there is very little in circulation. As time goes by, the value of this instrument is expected to appreciate, because it is made a concert instrument, using some of the best wood and by one of our most respected violinmakers in our stable. We hope you will enjoy it. Measurements (in mm) Top:167. Middle:110. Bottom:207. Body Length:357

Specifications: 100% Handmade, 100% hand oil-varnished. Selected Austrian Spruce Top, naturally air dried (over 18 years). Selected Flamed Maple Back, Ribs & Scroll, naturally air dried (over 18 years). Maple Fingerboard. Hand-carved pegs, tailpiece and chinrest. Genuine Inlaid Purfling. What’s in the box when I buy this violin? One violin, one violin case & one bow

This item is normally shipped with the Bricks Pilot Case and Cobra Brazil Bow
Below is a gallery of photos of this model that has been sold previously.
#Sold Gallery

If you like to order this violin, you can choose from the latest inventory below: Latest Inventory After you have made your choice, just drop me an email and I will guide you for the purchase.

A Revolutionary 6-Strings Violin Viola (and a possible 5-Strings too)

jehpin — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:07:16 +0000

This is a design of the next generation of violins with more than 4 strings. I am very happy and encouraged by many of my customers who have contributed to make this design possible. I have combined all the ideas and tested them on a few models at the workshop with my Vecchio maker. This is a 6 strings violin. But the unique design of this violin is that it has the body of a small viola with the length scaled down to 354mm. That is small enough for a warm hi E string that will remain pleasant to our ears. We increased the archings, and combined with the wider viola ribs and adjustments in the bass bar, a clear low F string is also made possible. We’ve increased the fingerboard slightly to accomodate the 6 strings. And we are very happy with the outcome of the tone achieved by this violin. We’ve already built this for 2 of our orchestral customers, who have been very happy with them so far. And we are happy to bring this unique violin to players looking for good flexibility. We see this as a major breakthrough in our design in modern violins. Oil varnished. Matching maple, sides, neck and scroll make this a beautiful masterpiece. Back:354 upper:168 middle:110 lower:211 ribs: 36 nut width:28 (mm)