The Steel Guitar Forum

Duane has just been handed down his late Grandfather's fiddle.
Being a 'steel man', he knows little about fiddles.
Even tho he will hand this instrument down to the next generation, he is curious to know it's worth.
It is marked 'Antonio Stratavarious Ceremonial....made in Germany'
It is obviously very old, but without damage other than age. We thank you so much.
the McKays'

"The usual label for a Stradivarius instrument, whether genuine or false, uses the Latin inscription Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno [date]. This inscription indicates the maker (Antonio Stradivari), the town (Cremona), and "made in the year," followed by a date that is either printed or handwritten. Copies made after 1891 may also have a country of origin printed in English at the bottom of the label, such as "Made in Czechoslovakia," or simply "Germany." Since thousands of instruments are based on Stradivari's models and bear the same name as his models, many unwary people are tricked into buying fake Stradivarius instruments, though this can be avoided by having an instrument authenticated."

You can google search your intrument or the name Stradivarius and come up with tons of stuff. Good luck and congrats on your heir loom.


Rick

In violins, age is often a sign of lots of playing,
and therefore a loosening of the wood structure
and a more resonant top.
So it could sound really nice.

Even a moderately inexpensive, but closely styled copy of a Strad, would over time,
and lots of playing, have a potentially fine sound.

Certainly not up with a Cremona masterpiece.

Were a lot of violins made in Genoa?

My father gave me one that has Genoa 1907 inside the left f-hole. So, it's soon to be 100 years old.

I have never heard about Genoa, Italy as a place where a lot of instruments were made.

If you would email me, I can put you in contact with my friend who has been a rare violin dealer for 35 years. He has found rare violins for symphonies world wide. He can help you.