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: 5/15/2008 Subject: Nicola Guesetto violin
Question My mother in law has a violin that has been in the family for years. She comes from Germany. It is in bad shape - the back is split down the middle. The label on the inside reads "Nicola Gusetto facil cremona anno 1776". The scroll is a beautifully carved head/face of a man. She would like more info on it. I am a violin player, but this is way over my head. I think it would be beautiful restored and just hanging on a wall. She wants more info on it before she turns me loose with it. I realize anyone would need to see it to be authenticated. I just don't know where to go from here. Any suggestions? Have you heard of this violin maker before? Thank you for your time!
Answer Hi Mary,
Sorry I couldn't respond sooner. Without seeing some photos of the instrument I can't say much. Most of the "head" violins were copied after some professional-level instruments made mostly in France for members of the nobility of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The German workshops then started making copies of those in the mid-to-late 1800's. if you want me to check some photos for you you need to dent them to me at dalton@pottersviolins.com
All the Best,
Dalton Potter
