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: 9/22/2007 Subject: Gustav August Ficker violin history
Question Hi Al,
After a long search for the right violin, I purchased a Gustav August Ficker about a year and a half ago. The violin has remarkable playability for its price range. It is incredibly responsive has an amazingly full sound -- rich and deep on the bottom and bright, yet smooth on the top. I love this violin so much that I've been trying to find out more about it. I've had it appraised for value and authenticity, but can't seem to find much about its actual history. I was wondering if you could tell me about the Ficker violins. Someone told me that they were high end factory violins. What does this mean? Did Ficker actually make this violin, or did his workers just finish it? Are there many of them? Also, what was Ficker's relationship with William Lewis & Son and what is their story?
The label on my violin reads:
Gustav August Ficker
MARKNEUKIRCHEN ANNO 1938
GERMANY
COPY OF J.B. Guadaguini
MADE ESPECIALLY
#201 FOR WILLIAM LEWIS & SON, CHICAGO, ILL
I would appreciate any info you might be able to give me. Thanks so much for your help. This site is an amazing resource!
-Angie
Answer Hi Angie;
G.A. Ficker B?. D?, Worked 1924-1955 in Germany. William Lewis & Son a fine dealer in ILL. 1874-1973. Imported most of his instruments from Germany from various makers. Ficker
actually put his finishing touch on the violins after his workers did most of the work. Auction price $1,765.
Al;
