Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer German Trade Violin circa 1880

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Label Reads:

Also contains a repair label:

J. B. Schweitzer was an actual maker in Budapest in the early-to-mid 1800’s but his name was used in many thousands of trade instruments. The instruments were made in Markneukirchen, Germany and what is now the Czech Republic from 1870 into the early 1900’s.

This Schweitzer features a one-piece back and a spruce top with even, straight grain. Finished in an amber/brown darker varnish, the instrument carries with it antiquing marks placed there by the maker and a fake neck graft, all to make the instrument appear even older than it is. The varnish is gorgeous, all hand drawn, antiqued, simulated wear with the amber/brown oil varnish on a golden yellow/brown ground. It is in very good condition. We restored one edge and bushed all eight of the peg holes in the peg box. Also, we carved a new set of ebony pegs, bridge, and soundpost, and finished the instrument with a new tailpiece, end button, and chin rest

Corpus 362.0 mm., Major Width 204.0 mm., Minor Width 168.0 mm., Rib Height 29.0 – 30.0 mm.

The sound is active and resonant. The bottom end has a rich, mature tone throughout its range, almost woody in tonal character. The response off the strings is very good. The treble strings ring with power. The E & A strings sound is clear and leans a little to a brilliant sound. The violin is easy to play, lays well and simply fun to play.