Scan 40
A Treatise On The Structure And Preservation Of The Violin, 1875
9 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Statelmann, of Vienna, and Withalm, of Nuremberg, have made the greatest number of instruments after Steiner's model; both, however, under their own names. They have also used the same deep yellow-coloured amber varnish, which gives a still closer resemblance to the patterns they were imitating. Those made after the Cremonese form by Jauch, Hassert, Bachmann, Straube, Hunger, Eberle, and Helmer, are likewise covered with amber varnish, and hence they are more exact copies of the originals than are the Tyrolese; except those of Egitia Klotz, which, too, are distinguished as well by their amber varnish as in other respects.
3The foregoing characteristics of the Cremonese and Steiner violins are also applicable to tenors and violoncellos: but these instruments are much more scarce than violins.* In
5reverted to this employment, after having neglected it for many years. Now, however, he pursued it with extreme ardour, even taking lessons in mathematics, in order that he might be wanting in no information which could contribute to the perfect construction of instruments. Nor were these efforts fruitless; for having, as a member of the Chapel, much time at his disposal, he had leisure enough to give all diligence to the pursuit; and whoever has become acquainted with his violins must certainly admit that they possess considerable merit. Even the Chapel-master, Herr Spohr, I have been assured, has performed a concerto on one of Ernst's violins. From him I received instruction in violin-playing, and soon took delight in the manufacture of the instrument. Hence, he was my teacher in a two-fold capacity. After I left Gotha for Weimar, he took an assistant, the joiner Artmann, of Wegmar, near Gotha, who afterwards manufactured violins very similar in form and model to those of Ernst, which are very flat. Subsequently, another joiner worked with him, of the name of Bindernagel, who has also made violins which, in their exterior, are similar to Ernst's. The instruments of both, however, clearly prove that they were deficient in the requisite knowledge."—Tr.
7* According to Rochlitz, the older tenors had five strings, the fifth answering to the E-string of our violins. Hence it is that the Germans still call E-strings quints (i.e. fifths), although violins are one of two readings
8* According to Rochlitz, the older tenors had five strings, the fifth answering to the E-string of our violins. Hence it is that the Germans still call E-strings quint (i.e. fifths), although violins are one of two readings
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