Meinel & Herold Trade Violin Klingenthal/Saxony circa 1910 -1920

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This German violin is a good example of what the Deutsche refer to as “Kunstgeigenbau” which translates to “Art of Violinmaking.” Made sometime between 1900-1920, it shows the hand of good craftsmanship. The model is Stradivarius with a little higher arch. The wood choice is very nice with a one-piece highly flamed maple back and a spruce top that has a fine straight grain. The ribs, neck, and scroll as also highly flamed. This trade violin was made in the Killinghall area of Germany known for cottage industry work. The varnish is slightly antiqued – a touch of orange/red on an amber ground. We have done a new set up on the instrument. It does not bear a specific maker’s name but is representative of a trade instrument made at a time for export to the west.

Corpus 359.0 mm Major Width 210.0 mm Minor Width 169.0 mm Rib Height 31.5 mm

The sound of the violin is simple and honest, straightforward. The violin is not as bright as a new violin, slightly covered in sound. The bottom end is strong with a guts to the tone. The G and D strings ring out with power even up into the higher positions. The sound is even over all the voices. The treble side rings clear and has a slightly brighter sound.