AboutAl Dzina Expertise I can answer questions about violin and guitar making and restoration. I will not answer questions about playing these instruments, because I am a maker, not a player.
Experience I was trained in violin making in Germany and have been working at this craft for sixty years.
Expert: Al Dzina Date: 2/25/2008 Subject: About my Breton violin
Question Hello Al,
I have some questions about a violin that I found in an antique store some years ago. It is stamped Breton on the back and has a label inside that says it was made in Germany. The people I bought it from tell my that it is a factory made instrument from the 1930's with the original case and bow. Other than this, I don't know much more about the instrument or its maker. Can you offer my some information on the instrument and its value? Are there any books on this manufacturer of Breton replica violins? I know that it is a copy from the French violin maker of the 19th Century - but I'm not sure if that is good or bad. Can you help me solve the mystery?
Thank you,
Michael De Cesare
Answer Hi Michael;
A tradename used by Thibouville-Lamy (JTL). The name Breton was used by many makers through the years. The inst. could have a value of approx. #3,000. Send me your City & State and I shall attempt to send you to a shop that can help.
Al;
