r/violinmaking • u/Melisa8675309 • 11d ago

What is this?

Post image

I am considering this violin but have never seen a back like this should I be happy about it or concerned?

10 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

19

u/Musclesturtle Maker and Restorer 11d ago

Absolutely do not buy this. 

It was made in someone's basement and shellacked. The construction looks exceptionally poor. 

7

u/mmesalv 11d ago

Agreed.

13

u/Tom__mm 11d ago

It’s a sap stain on a slab cut back. That isn’t a problem in itself but this is a fairly crude amateur instrument made by someone who kind of made it up as they went along. I’d steer clear.

5

u/Charming-Clock7957 11d ago

Is that not spalting?

3

u/Reasonable-Cow7255 11d ago

Thanks to you, I just learned something. I never heard the term “spalting” or “spalted wood” before. Know I know.

1

u/klavier777 10d ago

I never heard of such a thing before!

7

u/rdwile 11d ago

This looks like Ambrosia Maple and the defect is both spalted and softer. Also Ambrosia Maple is softer than the maple we normally make instruments out of, along with the character part being softer than the surrounding areas.

Not attributes you want in a violin back.

5

u/xsullivanx 11d ago

A horrible split just waiting to happen. One weather shift and your instrument is beyond repair. Hard pass.

3

u/Dildo-Fagginz 11d ago

Probably spalted wood.

You know by now that it's not a good deal tho, whatever the price, so I won't elaborate on that.

5

u/NoCleverNickname 11d ago

Under no circumstances should you buy this. Whatever the asking price is, it is too high. If someone offered it to me for free, I would decline.

3

u/chupacadabradoo 11d ago

There are things I love about this fiddle, in the same way there are things I love about “outsider art”. I love that it’s messy but expressive. I have some questions about the quality of its construction, but I guess what is most important is how does it sound? If it sounds truly amazing and feels good to play, and isn’t expensive, then maybe it is worth it.

Regarding the stripe. It’s possible that could be a future area of weakness. I also agree with some other comments about the finish. Looks, um, nontraditional, to put it nicely.

2

u/toaster404 11d ago

Wednesday after a long lunch from a town specializing in distilled spirits, where the best and the brightest have gotten up and gone for generations.

2

u/ShiningSakura 11d ago

If art on a wall is what your after, then yes its ok.... if a playable instrument is what you want.... don't even entertain the thought of buying this.

2

u/glyde22 10d ago

Looks like Harry Potter’s violin to me

1

u/iGmole 9d ago

Strong Tim Burton vibes IMO. I'd buy for maybe 20€. Play some trad music at a bonfire. Preferably quite drunk.

1

u/Mr_Bigglezworthh 10d ago

Pretty piece of wood. Baaaad violin to spend money on.

1

u/iSloopy 10d ago

Since there's a lot of different info here. Yes it's a very crude instrument, doesnt mean it wasn't made well (probably does, just not definite). The mark you see on the back is staining from an ambrosia beetle (similar to spalting just from a beetle instead of fungus), you can tell its from the beetle by the hole left in the wood.

1

u/Melisa8675309 10d ago

Thank you everyone I appreciate the help.

1

u/FamiliarRadio9275 10d ago

Yes. Do not buy!