The reason of the immense difference in the value of these instruments must therefore be a subject possessing strong claims to notice from virtuoso and. Here we examine 10 of the luthiers with their most famous violin labels. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. From its emergence in the 16th century, the violin has played a leading role in classical music. Hood publishing company, 1986 violin makers 399 pages. These 250plus violins are about to be owned by the u. Every violin, viola, and cello maintains the highest. Wake offer a wealth of information on the subject of violin making, varnishing, bow rehair and repair, and double bass making. From jefferson to jazz, an exhibit presented in 2006 by the american federation of violin and bow makers and the library of congress, a large number of american instruments and bows have been photographed and documented. List of violin makers in alphabetical order our pastimes. Violin repair california fiddle luthier california violin maker california.
The term was originally used for makers of lutes, but it came to be used already in french for makers of most bowed and plucked stringed instruments such as members of the violin family including. Along with the sound post, its placement and design influence the timbre of the instrument and give character to the violins sound. Fullscale drawings of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses are included in his books. The united states has the distinction of hosting the single largest collection of violin makers of any country in the world. For this reason, among others, north america finds itself with a large number of quality violin makers. Many factors go into determining the worth of an antique violin, including the instruments manufacturer, how it has been treated over the years and the violins overall appearance. One that makes or repairs stringed instruments, such as violins.
The word luthier is originally french and comes from the french word for lute. The violin is one of of his last piece of workmanship before his death in 1744. Over the next three centuries, violin makers, known as luthiers, produced some of the best instruments ever made. The american violin is a comprehensive history book of violin and bow making in america from the violin society of america and the library of congress. Dictionary violin makers abebooks shop for books, art. Afvbm american federation of violin and bow makers.
The violin takes center stage in an exhibit at the library of congress. The first american ever to win the international violinmaking competition at cremona. Nashville violins loves american made instruments and we do have several american made fiddles and violins available for you. The result was a seminal book, the violin makers of the united states, and the deluxe limited edition of 100 volumes sold out immediately. Violin makers definition of violin makers by the free.
I found it to be useful as a reference when i have to look up someone. The violin is an instrument which, though small and of trifling original cost, has yet commanded most extraordinary prices. Violins are judged by their responsiveness, tone, visual appeal, elegance of design and precision of their craftsmanship. Americanmade violin the american collection from jsi. Everybody american should be proud to own an american made violin. This first englishlanguage translation, by eminent scholar and educator reinhard g.
But makers engage in ongoing debates about bass bars. Violin makers and the expanding industry potter violins. Doring, 3 books john marchese, 3 books huber, john, 3 books h. Best american violin maker the fingerboard maestronet. Including a fine violin bibliography and biographical information on dutch makers, and lots of other violin related web links. The american violin a history of violin and bow making. From jefferson to jazz an exhibit presented in 2006 by the american federation of violin and bow makers and the library of congress, a large number of american instruments and bows have been photographed and documented. Ohio wisconsin 60 oregon has the greatest quantity of violin makers of the states listed here. Christopher germain talks about the american violin, then and now. A biographical dictionary of british makers of stringed instruments and bows and a critical description of their work, with int. And while its true that i wrote the book on american makers because there was a hole in my collection that i needed to have filled, the truth is i.
The violin makers of the united states biographical documentation of the violin and bow makers who have worked in the united states by thomas james wenberg. Learn more about it books and articles available online. One of the best exponents of english violin making in the period of 17501800 was benjamin banks, who worked about 75 miles from london in the town of salisbury. Henry strobel, violin maker author of several books on violin construction and maintenance. The value of an antique violin from the early 1900s our. The wall street journal made by hand and adhering to the ideals and the working methods of the 17th and 18th century makers of cremona, italy, each david gusset instrument is a unique artistic creation. He was a sharpshooter, a prodigious hunter and fisherman, an outdoor guide, a gunsmith, a maker of fishing tackle, a main street. This database contains volumes 122 of the dictionary of national biography, 19211922. Jsis american collection of fine instruments from the early american school of violin making provides an opportunity to examine the origins of violin making as it specifically evolved in this country. In the 1980s thomas wenberg made it his mission to track down and interview over 3,500 violin makers across america. Henley had in his youth studied with august wilhelmj, and later became a professor of composition and principal of the violin at the royal academy in london. Whos the best 20th21st century violin makermakers in your mind. Biographical documentation of the violin and bow makers who have worked in the united states thomas james wenberg mt.
As well as providing us with some of the most memorable melodies and musicians, the skill and technique of the very best violin makers have enabled some instruments to acquire a treasured status due to their label. Simply because an instrument is old does not mean that it has great value. The american federation of violin and bow makers provides standards for the string instrument community including standards for violins and the bow family. It was during his trips, including a supposed trip to america during the 1920s, that henley gathered information for his book. As with the british, american violin makers dont uniformly follow a single style. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. A continent founded from the great societies of europe can only hope to imitate them. A guide and reference for the violin family and their makers, noting the value of european instruments which have been brought into the us on the american market. Even though there are not a lot of american made violins and violin makers at. The instruments popularity has cut across economic, racial and regional lines. The violin in the sixteenth century violin family instruments appeared in essentially their modern form in northern italy, specifically in brescia and cremona, about 1550. The best 20th21st century violin maker the fingerboard. Unlike many instruments, whose origins are lost to the mists of time, the birthplace of the modern violin is comparatively easy to pinpoint.
Carlo giuseppe testore in contrada larga di milano al segno dell aquila, 1700. A comprehensive listing of violin makers arranged by country. The book was a 10year labor of love, a collaboration between the american federation of violin and bow makers and the library of congress. In addition to selling his handcrafted 4string and 5string fiddlesviolins, frank does repair work and sells violin accessories and used instruments. This important material is now published in a new book the american violin. Biographical documentation of the violin and bow makers who have worked in the united states wenberg, thomas james on. The collection provides a fascinating window into the art of violin making as it.
American libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. Violin makers synonyms, violin makers pronunciation, violin makers translation, english dictionary definition of violin makers. The violin makers of the united states 1986 edition. There are some contemporary boston makers who i absolutely loved and i cant get over the quality of some mirecourt workshop violins ive come across. Publication date 1890 topics violin makers publisher. I bought this book, along with a couple of howto violinmaking books, when i decided to try building a violin or three i have built quite e few highend guitars. Preceded by an essay on the violin and its position as a musical instrument. Being a historical, theoretical and practical treatise on the science and art of violinmaking, for the use of violin makers and players, amateur and professional. A doublebass of his was played on by the celebrated bottesini at concerts. The fiddlers garden of eden was cremona, italy, where, in the middle of the 16th century, a stringedinstrument maker named andrea amati. Government americanmade violins are often regarded as inferior to european ones, but. Chapter 2 searching for the violin maker sol roach, 18561933, was a multi talented eccentric who, throughout his life, did many things and did them well. The work is based on the extensive notes of violinist and composer william henley 18741957.
Listing violins luthiers usa luthier directory musical. Interesting distinctions can be drawn between three types of makers. Theres actually a wide range of offerings which make me happy from both modern and semi modern makers. Pauly, is based on the fifth german edition, published in 1993. Biographical documentation of the violin and bow makers who have worked in the united states. He had two sons, carlo antonio and paolo antonio, both violinmakers. Universal dictionary of violin and bow makers by henley. Fairfield, 7th edition encyclopedia of known violin makers focusing mainly on european instruments from 16th century onwards in the american market, with a section devoted to american makers. We have books about stradivari and guarneri, violinmaking, violinmakers, violinists. With a nearly 500year history, the modern violin is with a few key exceptions strikingly similar to those historical models. Universal dictionary of violin and bow makers by william henley and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.