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: 5/12/2008 Subject: Violin Corner Block
Question What does it mean when a violin is missing a corner block? What are the side affects of missing a corner block on the upper treble side? Is it common with a certain type of violin?
Answer Hi Joe,
The lack of a corner block (or blocks) indicates that the instrument was mass-produced with very little consideration given to the long-term use of the instrument. It was also common practice (mostly in Czech or German violins) to glue a piece of wood in the corner without fitting it in the traditional way - just sort of a covering on the internal corner area. Sometimes these pieces can fall out over the years. The sound of instruments constructed in this way is not likely to be affected very much (they're not usually that great to begin with) but if you have a good violin shop in your area, you may find that your instrument could be worth totally refurbishing from the inside out because the wood is now over a hundred years old and has the potential to sound really nice. If you ever want to get a "better" violin, I suggest you investigate that as an option before purchasing a "better" violin. Sometimes you have the instrument you really want in your hands already, just waiting to be brought to it's full potential..
