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Violin/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Old Violin | 2/9/2012 | Michalis Barkas |
| Q: I bought a violin in upstate New York about 20 years ago from an old guy with an artsy type store. ... A: this is outside my expertise and I cannot answer the question. You actually have to visit a violin ... | ||
| violin | 2/8/2012 | Steve Levine |
| Q: I have a very old violin it has been with our family for ever, it is in a all wood violin case the ... A: there weas a Joseph Hellmer in Bohemia making violins around that period. The crdus is puzzling but ... | ||
| Pfretzschner violin question | 2/5/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: When my son was in high school, we bought him a violin that he played in the orchestra for a few ... A: Allen The FR was most likely just made up, the Pfretzschner name has been owned by a number of ... | ||
| violin | 2/3/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: I FOUND THIS VIOLIN IN AN OLD HOUSE THAT I HAD TO CLEAN OUT. IT SAYS KRONOTONE MADE IN GERMANY ON A ... A: Sharon Unfortunately none of the information that you have provided tells me anything about the ... | ||
| Pfretzschner violin question | 2/2/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: When my son was in high school, we bought him a violin that he played in the orchestra for a few ... A: Allen The F R Pfretzschner violin is a trade marked name that is owned by EMMC (Entertainment Music ... | ||
| Violin | 1/26/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: I have this old violin, well it certainly looks quite old, no label but on the back there is a ... A: James The violin that you have is an amateur made American violin from 1850-1950. The painting may ... | ||
| High notes | 1/25/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: I passed my 8 th grade but I still don't know the scales ( like the positions of fingers for each ... A: David I am not sure if you are referring to grade 8 in school or grade 8 in one of the different ... | ||
| VIOLIN | 1/24/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: hi we have an old viloin with the name of Nilolaus Amatus Fetic 1658 its in a wooden case and use to ... A: Nina Thanks for using All Experts and I will try to help you. The violin that you have will most ... | ||
| Old Violin | 1/23/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: I have acquired my great-grandfather's violin and I am curious about it's possible age. The paper ... A: Deana The violin that you have will most likely be one of the hundreds of thousands of German or ... | ||
| ? about violin | 1/20/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: We have a full sized violin ( 14inch body) that we would like to know all we can about. The labels ... A: Julie The Rembert Wurlitzer company imported thousands of instruments from many different makers. ... | ||
| Two violins, two questions | 1/20/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: I have two questions about two differnent violins... 1) Do you know anything about the quality of ... A: Joel Thanks for using All-Experts, let's see if I can be of some help. The Alegria violin is a ... | ||
| robert wurlitzer academy violin | 1/18/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: David. just purchased a robert wurlitzer academy violin at auction and would like to know appx value ... A: Bobby Thank you for using all experts and I hope that this helps. I think you mean Rembert or ... | ||
| Salvatore Rossani | 1/12/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: I was given a violin by a colleague who just thought I could "use it" for teaching. It is labeled a ... A: I was not able to find out much on Salvatore Rossani but this is what I found. His instruments, ... | ||
| Bowing/string harmonics | 1/8/2012 | Jessica Vaughan |
| Q: When I play there are times that the string will go into almost a harmonic/buzzing type of sound or ... A: Dead spots in strings is as much as a mechanical problem as it is a physical and technical one. ... | ||
| violin | 1/6/2012 | Jim Fisher |
| Q: I have a violin marked Fiat a Tournay par Ambroise de Comble. I have done what research I can ... A: I'm afraid that it is unlikely to be a genuine de Comble. Copies and fakes are in plenty. But, of ... | ||
| Violin | 1/6/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: I have a violin on the label inside it read's Nicolaus Amatus Cremone Hieronymi filli fecit, An 16 ... A: Weldon Thank you for contacting me about your family violin and including pictures. Although the ... | ||
| Out of Tune Violin | 1/4/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: Sir just wanted to know why my violin always gets out of tune frequently? Does this frequently ... A: There are a number of reasons that pegs slip. 1. There has been a big change in the humidity, ... | ||
| Ruggeri violin | 1/2/2012 | David Lashof |
| Q: My Father-in-law has a violin he has had for years. The tag or label on inside reads " Francesco ... A: Brenda I hope that I can shed some light for you on this. Francesco Ruggeri worked in Cremona ... | ||
| violin apraissal | 12/29/2011 | David Lashof |
| Q: A lady brought to me a William Lewis and son Germany 1874 #134 with hard Case. It has all original ... A: John I hope this is helpful. William Lewis & Son is a violin firm that set up shop in the US after ... | ||
| Violin suggestions | 12/20/2011 | David Lashof |
| Q: My daughter is just learning the violin and we started a rent to own from a local store . The ... A: In researching your question, I too find that the average for a Strobel violin is under $600. It is ... | ||
| Need to find reputable violin maker | 12/14/2011 | David Lashof |
| Q: I have a violin my parents bought from an old gentleman at a flea market. I have had it for over 40 ... A: Deborah You are correct in the date, no member of the Guarneri violin making family was working that ... | ||
| fiddles , bows & cases | 12/10/2011 | David Lashof |
| Q: I have 2 fiddles and bows and 2 cases ....looking to have them apraised... they have beed in my ... A: James As far as getting the instruments appraised, you need to find a violin shop near you. Since ... | ||
| johann georg kessler | 12/6/2011 | Steve Levine |
| Q: Levine my husband found this violin in an old house we bought. The label inside says johann georg ... A: depending on the condition, these violins can go from as low as $350 up to $1000....with these ... | ||
| violin strings | 12/4/2011 | Jim Fisher |
| Q: =) i am from Malaysia. i bought a violin from China 6 months ago, but i am still using the original ... A: I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the violin you purchased. But, I'm going to assume that it is one ... | ||
| Magini | 11/27/2011 | Jim Fisher |
| Q: I have a Gio Paolo Maginni. Needs repair on neck. Pulled slightly. Need good renovator and valuation ... A: We don't handle many instruments of that value in our shop, but I can recommend someone for you - ... | ||
| Ficker viola pictures | 11/27/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: Mr. Derek, Thank you for your response. I am sending additional photos as you have requested. I ... A: The scroll detail and the workmanship in the corners indicates it is a fine handmade viola ... | ||
| violin | 11/23/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: Greetings, I have an old violin in pretty good condition. On the label inside it reads "Albin ... A: Mr big mouth , before you accuse anyone else you should check your own attitude. You asked if your ... | ||
| violin | 11/23/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: Greetings, I have an old violin in pretty good condition. On the label inside it reads "Albin ... A: Can not tell you anything without close-up photos of the top and back and head. “CLOSE-UP” !!! ... | ||
| Gafparo Da Salò, In Brefcia. | 11/21/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: I have a very old violin wich reads literally inside it's single line label : Gafparo Da Salò, In ... A: From the photo of the top there is no varnish wear, so it is not too old, Gaspar da salo was a ... | ||
| sheet music of summer 3rd m'vt presto | 11/19/2011 | Michalis Barkas |
| Q: I am an adult starting to learn violin in a late age. I find everything difficult and hard to ... A: what you heard is what the composer wants us to hear; thus it is correct. There are several reasons ... | ||
| Nicolaus Amatus fecit in Cremona 1626 | 11/17/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: I need help with a violin. I dont know much about its history i got it from my grandmother. It ... A: The top photos of your violin is in the style and pattern of Nicolaus Amati, but not necessarily ... | ||
| Wm Lewis and Son viola | 11/17/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: I have a Gustav August Ficker "Rode" viola made for Lewis and Sons in 1978. I am not looking for ... A: Send me close-up photos of the top back and scroll Photo it straight on., just the body portion. ... | ||
| Wm. Lewis & Sons Violin | 11/17/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: I was wondering if you could help me determine the value of a violin that left to me by my ... A: If it says made in 1999 and you claim it was left to you by your “Grandfather” , there is a time ... | ||
| Josef Guarerius violin | 11/16/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: My aunt has this violin that holds a stamp located in the inside that reads Josef Guarnerius fecit ... A: Before I can answer your questions, I need close up photos of the top, the back and side view of ... | ||
| Nicolaus Amatus fecit in Cremona 1626 | 11/15/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: I need help with a violin. I dont know much about its history i got it from my grandmother. It ... A: Aaron, just from seeing the photo of the scroll it appears the varnish has been stripped from this ... | ||
| Nicolaus Amatus fecit in Cremona 1626 | 11/15/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: I need help with a violin. I dont know much about its history i got it from my grandmother. It ... A: Aaron, thanks for your interest to identify your violin. As you suggested please send me "close-up" ... | ||
| Independent and Block Fingering | 11/14/2011 | Jim Fisher |
| Q: I would be happy if you would help me avoid this confusion on the block fingering and independent ... A: Yes, the resulting pitch will be the same, whether you use block fingering or independent fingering. ... | ||
| Violin Appraisal | 11/12/2011 | Stephen Derek |
| Q: I'm curious as to the value of my Violin. I've had it since I was young, & no longer play it. I was ... A: Terri, thank you for your question, Without seeing closeup photos I can not tell you how much your ... | ||
| Violin quality | 11/11/2011 | Todd Sullivan |
| Q: Do you have any tips on how to buy a good violin with a good tone? I'm into my 5th year and i want ... A: Go to a violin shop (or even multiple shops if you have more nearby) and ask to try out all of their ... | ||
| Bowing techniques | 10/28/2011 | Todd Sullivan |
| Q: I played the violin from ages 3 - 20, then took a 13 year break. Now at age 33, I am taking lessons ... A: A good exercise for feeling how the bow arm should operate w/o the shoulder action: Place your right ... | ||
Violin
Answers by Expert:
David Lashof
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions on violin, viola and cello making, repair and maintenance. In addition I can supply general violin values and information on instrument makers’, assuming it is as labeled (I have access to many book on makers and auction prices on over 20,000 makers). I can alo provide advice on bows, rosin, strings and other string instrument accesories. As I am now retired, I have no bias towards selling anything; I only wish to share my knowledge and experience by providing information for those that may be getting confused by misinformation or misdirection.
Experience
I am a retired violin maker and repairmen with 35 years experience having worked in Chicago and Maryland at 5 different stores and in my own shop of 25 years. I am an accomplished violinist as well as having performed with semi professional and professional groups as well as amateur ones. I have taught violin making to approximately 10 students; at least one has gone on professionally.
Organizations
Violin Society of America
Education/Credentials
I graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in 1981, a professional 4 year school for violin makers. I also studied with a violin maker in Washington DC from 1973-75.
Awards and Honors
2008 Chester Petranek Award for service to the music community
Past/Present Clients
I have worked on instruments for many professional players from the National and Baltimore Symphonies as well as players from all over the US.
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