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: 5/28/2008 Subject: Violin Origin
Question Dear Mr. Dzina;
I am trying to establish the origin of my violin, and hoped that you could help me. When my Dad bought the violin for me 36 years ago, I seem to recall that he believed it was made by Hellmer. A local luthier, who was appraising it for insurance purposes, estimated it as being early 19th century, of Czech origin (which would possibly fit with Hellmer). I had it valuated today by a British auction house, and they believe it to be Klotz, c. 1780.
Is there some sort of reference guide I can consult? Are there ways of distunguishing these makers? Unfortunately, there is no "tag" inside the violin, but the appraiser from Brompton's said that the Klotz "maker's mark" is a small notch next to ther tailpiece.
Any ideas? Many thanks for your help!
Bruce
Answer Hi Bruce;
It takes years of experience and many volumes of data to ID violins. There is no single reference guide that would begin to give you the information you are seeking. There are about 20 members in the Klotz family, I think the "small notch" is a myth.
Al;
