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: 8/27/2007 Subject: GERMAN VIOLIN
Question QUESTION: During WWII, my father took a violin out of an abandoned
chateau. Label inside reads CHRIFT GOTTFRIED HAMM and
ADORF VOIGI-LANDE (sp.?) Also appears to have the letters
GS on the violin case latches. Can you give me some insight
into the violin? I still have it as a momento. Thnak you
so much.
ANSWER: Hi Viki;
Christian Gottfried Hamm Born 1779, Died 1834, Worked 1800-
1832 in Adorf, Germany. Auction history from $4,400 to
$8,699.
Al;
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for your quick response. For future
value, is the violin worth holding on to, pass it down to the grandkids?
Vicki
Answer Hi Viki;
Not having heard the tone of the violin it makes things hard to judge. We must always remember that a violin is to be played on. If the violin is not going to be played it should be placed near a stereo speaker so the vibrations flow through the instrument. This will help the violin tone to improve.
Al;
