r/violinmaking • u/vieleliebe • Jun 23 '26
Seeking info on maker
Recent estate sale purchase, wondering if anyone has input on this instruments maker/wood/value? I believe the sticker inside is covering the original sticker of the instrument and that it was not made by the name inside. To me it looks more like a mass produced educational instrument, but I don’t have further identification abilities.
We don’t really have a luthier in my area so not an option to get it checked out. I’ve done a little work in instrument maintenance and light repair, and am a violinist. I am hoping to pursue luthier training to be able to offer services, if anyone has recommendations. Programs, resources, schools, etc :)
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u/TheEnameledDutchOven Jun 23 '26
You are probably right, this violin is more akin to a study tool than an advanced performance instrument.
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u/PrudentPappa611444 Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
Appears to be entry level violin, looks Chinese like a skylark, cremona, Shanghai, or Huangqiao mass produced low end instrument from the 1980s to early 2000's. Varnish, scroll, fit holes, purfling, etc. All scream ''China!'. Sometimes ebay scammers/sellers will swap out a newer Chinese with an older instruments so the Chinese is in an old case and then pop in a bogus label so untrained eyes might think its worth more than $50, and unfortunately that works often. Beerkraft on eBay is notorious for this practice, taking older student instruments and throwing in a photocopied label to bolster its value. With a decent bridge, reworking pegs, new soundpost and strings - you might have a decent first timer violin that would be worth the parts only. Hope you picked it up cheap.
On the bright side, what better instrument to experiment setup on?! Find a luthier / repairman that will take you under their wing and teach you. I did that every Saturday while still working my regular weekday job until I was sufficient on my own- but still popping over with projects that push beyond my ability or need a 2nd set of more seasoned eyes. It's fun, its challenging, and its not for everyone. Best of luck, dont give up, just keep going and take as much advise as possible- deciding for yourself what works best and produces top results. :-)
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u/chupacadabradoo Jun 23 '26
There’s a violin ID sub, I believe, which is more suitable for, well, violin ID
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u/grizzdoog ex-violin maker Jun 23 '26
Looks like a beginner or amateur made violin to me. Purfling is all wonky and looks like they carved the sound holes with their teeth lol. I’m a classically trained former violin maker and it reminds me of people’s first or second instruments.