Violin/Questions

SubjectDate AskedExpert
Old Violin2/9/2012Michalis 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 ...
violin2/8/2012Steve 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 question2/5/2012David 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 ...
violin2/3/2012David 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 question2/2/2012David 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 ...
Violin1/26/2012David 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 notes1/25/2012David 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 ...
VIOLIN1/24/2012David 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 Violin1/23/2012David 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 violin1/20/2012David 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 questions1/20/2012David 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 violin1/18/2012David 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 Rossani1/12/2012David 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 harmonics1/8/2012Jessica 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. ...
violin1/6/2012Jim 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 ...
Violin1/6/2012David 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 Violin1/4/2012David 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 violin1/2/2012David 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 apraissal12/29/2011David 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 suggestions12/20/2011David 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 maker12/14/2011David 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 & cases12/10/2011David 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 kessler12/6/2011Steve 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 strings12/4/2011Jim 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 ...
Magini11/27/2011Jim 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 pictures11/27/2011Stephen 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 ...
violin11/23/2011Stephen 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 ...
violin11/23/2011Stephen 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.11/21/2011Stephen 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 presto11/19/2011Michalis 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 162611/17/2011Stephen 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 viola11/17/2011Stephen 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 Violin11/17/2011Stephen 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 violin11/16/2011Stephen 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 162611/15/2011Stephen 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 162611/15/2011Stephen 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 Fingering11/14/2011Jim 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 Appraisal11/12/2011Stephen 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 quality11/11/2011Todd 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 techniques10/28/2011Todd 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 ...

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David Lashof

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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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