Folk Violin (unlabelled) , c. 1920
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Folk Violin (unlabelled), c. 1920, 4/4 size, origin unknown, shaded varnish finish, maple back and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case.
From deep in the heart of Appalachia comes a haunting melody, emanating from one of the most unusual folk fiddles we've ever seen. The instrument appears to be hand made with top and a back sections each carved from a solid block held together by wooden tabs inset at the apex of the bouts. There are no sides per se; each half is one solid carved piece, arching up from a rim carve so deep you could almost serve soup out of it.
This fiddle is absolutely a piece of folk art but also quite elegant and displays a higher than average level of wood carving knowledge and instrument construction. The design is radical and clearly an attempt at a novel way to build a violin; perhaps an attempt to enhance vibration more by making the sides of the instrument integral with the top and back? The top is likely spruce, while the back appears to be maple. The neck is a standard factory made maple piece with an ebony fingerboard and four commercially made ebony pegs likely purchased from a local music retailer.
The violin has been set up and plays quite well. The 1960s commercial metal tailpiece is a later addition but does allow for fine tuning. A new bridge and soundpost have been fitted to the instrument as well. The violin is quite loud and has its own voice, it would be a great addition to any folk instrument collection or anyone looking for a unique instrument with a mysterious story and distinctive look and sound.
Overall length is 23 3/8 in. (59.4 cm.), 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 12 1/2 in. (318 mm.). Width of nut is 15/16 in. (24 mm.).
This folk-made violin appears to have been built with the un usual carved body fitted to a factory made neck. The workmanship on the body is a bit rough but shows a high level of craft and is structurally quite sound. It has some general wear and dirt, with the heavily crackled finish on the top one sees often on "outsider" made instruments. The back is slightly glossier with typical checking one would see in a more professional finish. There are two open grain splits on the back, one at each end; these are ancient bit appear stable. The fingerboard is smooth and the neck is straight, and while offered primarily as a folk art curio this unique violin is quite playable and nice sounding. Overall Very Good + Condition.
From deep in the heart of Appalachia comes a haunting melody, emanating from one of the most unusual folk fiddles we've ever seen. The instrument appears to be hand made with top and a back sections each carved from a solid block held together by wooden tabs inset at the apex of the bouts. There are no sides per se; each half is one solid carved piece, arching up from a rim carve so deep you could almost serve soup out of it.
This fiddle is absolutely a piece of folk art but also quite elegant and displays a higher than average level of wood carving knowledge and instrument construction. The design is radical and clearly an attempt at a novel way to build a violin; perhaps an attempt to enhance vibration more by making the sides of the instrument integral with the top and back? The top is likely spruce, while the back appears to be maple. The neck is a standard factory made maple piece with an ebony fingerboard and four commercially made ebony pegs likely purchased from a local music retailer.
The violin has been set up and plays quite well. The 1960s commercial metal tailpiece is a later addition but does allow for fine tuning. A new bridge and soundpost have been fitted to the instrument as well. The violin is quite loud and has its own voice, it would be a great addition to any folk instrument collection or anyone looking for a unique instrument with a mysterious story and distinctive look and sound.
Overall length is 23 3/8 in. (59.4 cm.), 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 12 1/2 in. (318 mm.). Width of nut is 15/16 in. (24 mm.).
This folk-made violin appears to have been built with the un usual carved body fitted to a factory made neck. The workmanship on the body is a bit rough but shows a high level of craft and is structurally quite sound. It has some general wear and dirt, with the heavily crackled finish on the top one sees often on "outsider" made instruments. The back is slightly glossier with typical checking one would see in a more professional finish. There are two open grain splits on the back, one at each end; these are ancient bit appear stable. The fingerboard is smooth and the neck is straight, and while offered primarily as a folk art curio this unique violin is quite playable and nice sounding. Overall Very Good + Condition.