Books › A treatise on the structure and preservation of the violin and all other bow-instruments; together with an account of the most celebrated makers, and of the genuine characteristics of their instruments;, 1860 › scan 43
Scan 43
A treatise on the structure and preservation of the violin and all other bow-instruments; together with an account of the most celebrated makers, and of the genuine characteristics of their instruments;, 1860
6 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 21. See the scan on archive.org.
1sharp ridge. This constitutes their chief characteristic. For the rest, his violins are not made with the extreme care as those of Jerome; the purfling is not let in so neatly, and the corners turn farther outwards: but the edges are very beautifully rounded, and the f-holes are well shaped and stand rather near each other, as in all the Italian instruments. The interior of those which have escaped injury proves that he constructed on strict mathematical principles. An unspoiled violin of his make is excellent, and almost preferable to a Straduarius, as the belly on the side of the fourth string does not bend in like [many of] the latter. The wood used for the belly in not of a very fine grain in any of them; but the back, neck, and sides are formed of beautifully-figured maple. All those which have passed through my hands have been covered with a reddish-yellow amber varnish: I have never met with one of a brown colour*.
3The violins of Straduarius are distinguished for their very flat construction. The back and belly are not raised more than half an inch; consequently these instruments have the flattest model of all the Cremonese. Those which are uninjured possess a very beautiful, deep, and full tone. They are the most esteemed by public performers; for every virtuoso on the violin either has one already, or spares no expense in obtaining one. The reason of this probably is, that a flat-modeled instrument may be very thick in the wood and yet maintain a free and energetic vibration; and,
5* In the 1828 edition, Otto says:—"They are mostly covered with a reddish-yellow amber varnish; I have only seen one brown."—Tr.
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