Scan 37
Georg Gemünder's Progress In Violin Making 1881, 1881
12 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1The violins of Joseph Guarnerius are very beautifully made. They are extremely similar in form and model to those of Nicholas Amati, as well as in the cutting of the f-holes, and have the same deep yellow amber varnish.
3These, as well as the violins of Ruggerio and Albani,* differ so little from each other, that it is extremely difficult to give an exact description of them.
5The violins of Jacob Steiner, of Apsam, differ from the Cremonese both in general appearance and in tone. They have a higher model, and their proportions of thickness are calculated quite differently.† Perhaps the most accurate comparison which can be drawn between the two, is, that the tone of a Cremonese violin resembles that of a clarinet, whilst the tone of a Steiner is similar to that of a flute.‡ The belly is modelled higher than the back; and the height of the belly where the bridge stands is equally maintained for half the length of the instrument to the lower or broad part [under the tail-piece], where it then diminishes down to the end edge. The breadth of this raised part is about the same as that of the bridge itself, and then it falls off towards the edges. The model is precisely similar towards the neck, and on the broad part [beneath the finger-board]. The edges are very strong and round, and the purfling, which is
7* These are probably the makers intended by the Author, though their names are spelt Rutgeri and Alwany by him.—Tr.
9† In the 1828 edition, Otto observes that Steiner made his instruments of three sizes—a large size, a medium, and a small.—Tr.
11‡ Gretschel speaks of the Steiner violins as generally possessing a thin and penetrating tone, but that some exceptions to this exist (see p. 99 of the 2nd edit. of Wettengel's Lehrbuch der Geigen und Bogenmacherkunst, Weimar, 1869). Abele says they more nearly approach the sharp, piquant tone of the later German instruments.—Tr.
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