Early violins

Early violins, parts and development

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The basic standard violin has changed little since the 16th century. From Gaspro da Salo, Amati and with Stradivari perfecting the instrument, the standard is still with us. German maker Stainer used higher arching to the table, this was much copied.

	An interesting violin c1700. Constructed with slot joints instead of block and linings. An interesting non standard neck extension to convert from Baroque length.					A violin circa 1680. Listed inside are repairs and makers names as they occurred. The first being 1703. A total of 40 crack repairs and still playing well!

The exception which occurred was to the neck. The original baroque necks were shorter with both the neck and fingerboard getting thicker to the body. The neck was also parallel to the body edge. About the turn of 1800 onwards the necks were made longer. Transitional violins still had parallel but longer necks. The standard neck as still used today was parallel longer and set at an angle, not longer with a tapered fingerboard. The result was gradually all the good violins were converted with a new neck fitted with the original peg-box /scroll grafted in grafted. Cheaper violins were often given complete necks/scrolls

	A French violin by Nicholas Chappuy. Paris circa 1765. A neck graft extension has been well done. Chappuy had a large output of instruments, probably due to a work shop with apprentices each producing different parts which explains the varying standards of sections. This instruments scroll is no the best.				An early 19th century Scottish violin with the traditional high "whale back" Probably from Aberdeen.

	A violin by Richard Duke circa 1780. With a later neck and scroll. Despite have had a hard life still plays really well.				Early 19th century violin with decorative purfling. Another with a later neck conversion


	An early 18th century English violin, with a replacement neck. Very high belly and back. Many repairs to . Inscribed Stephen Carr, Lancaster to the inner belly (repairer)

	Chas & Saml Thompson. St Pauls Churchyard 1781. Typical 17th century high bellied English violin. Replaced neck with original peg-box grafted back in.					An interesting 17th century English violin. Probably by Pamphillon circa 1680, London bridge. With Italian label of Bufetto , 1645. Cremona. Also with various repairers labels inside. With a rather nice gargoyle type carved headstock.