Heinrich Th. Heberlein Jr. Markneukirchen 1914 Violin

click picture to enlarge

Label Reads:

The reputation of the Heberlein firm to artfully combine the mastery of violin making with excellent business practices lasted into the late 20th century. Born in Markneukirchen in 1843, Heinrich Theodor Heberlein Jr. engaged in violin making his entire life. He and his firm adhered to the highest standards in violin making. They made many levels of violins which were determined by the quality of the wood selection, amount of hand work, and varnish work done. These traits helped set the bar for other firms to try to attain. Their instruments were noticed in international markets, and in the United States their instruments were represented by the Wurlitzer Company. The Wurlitzer firm acknowledged them to be some of the best German violins made. Later in Heinrich’s life, he taught at the Markneukirchen violin making school. In 1897 his workshop was taken over by his sons Paul Wilhelm and Albert Theodor. Heinrich Jr. passed away in 1910 but the company continued to make instruments into the 1940’s. This violin is of a high grade, the back and the neck are full of curl. The varnish is better than gorgeous, a transparent orange/brown on a golden ground. The chamfers in the scroll/tongue and rib joints are black outlined in a French style. Also, notice the word “Copie;” another tipoff that the maker wanted players to think the instrument was French. Our 1914 Guarnerius Heberlein is in very good condition. We have restored an edge on the top plate, removed and reset the neck system, cambered the fingerboard, added a new ebony nut, cut a new set of ebony pegs, cut a Despiau grade B bridge, and cut a new post. The instrument is in excellent structural condition and has no issues. The instrument does show some patina along with natural playing wear, and sounds as nice as it looks. The entire violin is a Wow!

Corpus 355.0 mm., Major Width 207.0 mm., Minor Width 169.0 mm. Rib Height 29.0-29.5 mm.

The sound is mature, has depth, and plenty of strength. The G and D sound will put a smile on a players face as soon as they strike the bow to the strings. The violin is very responsive and lacks nothing, even in the higher positions. The E and A strings sing in clarity and match or even put out more power than the bottom strings. The violin lays well and is easy to play. Even with a light touch the instrument responds beautifully. It measures up to what the Wurlitzer Company must have discovered long ago in these violins. The instrument has it – quick response, a sophisticated mature tone, and a clarity of sound that has an ample amount of power.