a lot of the older handmade violins have one piece backs (there isn't a line down the middle) and the way the grain is cut shows a lot about if the violin was handcarved or not I actually have an antique violin made in Spain probably in the 19th or 20th century. I still can't find out who made it though. I need to take it to the local luthier and have him tell me. But anyway, I do play it on a regular basis
Re: How can I recognize a handmade violin 06:01 on Sunday, February 15, 2009
No all the acoustic violins are not handmade.There are some specifications which seperate the handmade acoustic violins from acoustic violins that are not handmade.
Re: How can I recognize a handmade violin 08:45 on Monday, February 16, 2009
not all acoustic violins are handmade. There are those violins that are sold very cheap and surely comes out of a factory and its not really handmade. The expensive ones, you can be sure, it's handmade, especially if it has the signature of the maker inside your violin. The factory made, aside from the price difference, if you would notice is abit smaller than the handmade. The scroll is small and the purflings, etc. handmade violins are abit bigger but that is if you would compare the two violins. I bought a cheap one to begin with and when i got serious, i bought an expensive one. I noticed the size first at the scroll. then I compared both. the expensive one is abit bigger. So, my customized bridge is also way bigger than my old violin's bridge. I tried to swap bridges, i ended with a sinking bridge its almost the same level with the fingerboard. I had my bridge fixed by a luthier to suit my fingers. Its really different.You can also tell by the sound produced.
I actually have an antique violin made in Spain probably in the 19th or 20th century. I still can't find out who made it though. I need to take it to the local luthier and have him tell me. But anyway, I do play it on a regular basis