About L. Dalton Potter Expertise I have been involved in the violin trade for over 28 years. I am currently the President of The Potter Violin Company in Bethesda, MD. I can offer clients initial advice on the value, authenticity and quality of almost all bowed string instruments (violins, violas, cellos & basses) using good quality digital photos. I would decline to give final evaluations without examining instruments in person.
Experience Experience in Music Business: Charlie Byrd's Music House; 1977 - 1980
Senior violin technician: Violin House of Weaver; 1980 - 1996.
President: The Potter Violin Company; 1996 - Present
Organizations: Founding member;String Industry Council, Violin Society of America, American String Teachers Association, Guild of American Luthiers,
Suzuki Association of America, Publications; Journal of the American String Teacher's Association, American Suzuki Journal Education/Credentials;Berklee College of Music 1974 - 1977
Awards and Honors: Chester J. Patranek Award for Excellence in the Music Industry
Traugott Rohner Leadership in the Music Industry Award
(26 years of service - too many to list)
Expert: L. Dalton Potter Date: 4/1/2008 Subject: violin
Question QUESTION: hi, i have a violin which was given to me inside it says antonio stradavarious,
and has a code and was made in 1730, i believe personally it to be fake as i
cant see my self having the real thing! when i got it however the strings were
made of gutt unfortunately i took those off and replaced them with top
quality strings,the sound it makes is amazing and i wouldnt want to sell it but
i'd like to know if you know anywhere in yorkshire where i could get it valued,
or if you could give me a clue!
ANSWER: I have an employee at the shop who is from England who may have a suggestion for you. I will have to be in touch with you in a few days after I have had a chance to talk to him..
Dalton
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: sorry but its not 1730 its 1713 just realised!
Answer Hi Joanne, my sales manager, Simon Rundlet was not able to recommend anyone specifically in the Yorkshire area. There is a website hosted by Strad Magazine (http://www.thestrad.com/) that features a number of violin shops located in England because that's where the magazine is published. As you probably already know, many of the labels in old violins are what is euphemistically termed "facsimile" labels, meaning they may or may not have anything to do with a real person making instruments. So many violins were produced in Germany during the period before WWII were made for resale by other shops that it is highly likely that you have a decent quality "trade" violin with a Stradivarius label. You are welcome to e-mail me digital photos at dalton@pottersvioins.com and I will examine them and clarify further, if I can.
