Scan 23
A Treatise On The Structure And Preservation Of The Violin, 1875
10 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1of his instruments, many of which have been mistaken for Italian by inexperienced judges.
3Ruppert, of Erfurt, had a model and system of construction peculiar to himself. His violins, tenors, and violoncellos are very flat, and have a powerful tone; but they are slightly put together, for the sides are not lined, and the corner blocks are omitted. Nevertheless his instruments are still prized, on account of the excellent construction of the belly and the back, the correct proportions of thickness observed in them, and also for their good tone; though they are not even purfled, and have a dark brown amber varnish, and nothing recommendatory in their exterior.
5Francis Schonger, of Erfurt, has made many high-modelled instruments, which are much more beautiful in appearance than Ruppert's; but they are, throughout, extremely weak in the wood, and have a dull, hollow tone. Connoisseurs therefore consider them greatly inferior to Ruppert's.
7George Schonger, of Erfurt, abandoned his father's system of construction, and imitated the Italian style. Excellent instruments exist of his make, which are particularly distinguished for their accurate arrangement (Aptirung*). He was greatly renowned, in his time, as a repairer of the good old instruments.
9* Here, and in two other places in this work, I have viewed the word "Aptirung" as synonymous with "Einrichtung" [arrangement—adjustment—fitting up] as used by Spohr; who says, in his Violin School), Part I., Sec. 2.—"By the arrangement (Einrichtung) of the violin is meant—first, the position of the neck and finger-board, the height of the bridge and that of the strings above the finger-board, with regard to the convenience of playing; and, secondly, the situation of the bridge and sound-post, their strength and height, as also the choice of wood for them, with reference to the tone of the instrument." (See the translator's edition of Spohr's School, published by Messrs. Cocks and Co.)—Tr.
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