Books › Violin tone and violin makers, 1916 › scan 36
Scan 36
Violin tone and violin makers, 1916
17 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 16. See the scan on archive.org.
1VIOLIN TONE
3"CREMONESE."—Not a type, but a generic term, used to designate the general superiority of tone produced by violin makers of Cremona, prior to about 1775,* over instruments produced in other centres.
5GUARNERIAN.—A tone distinguished for its remarkable qualities of clearness, brilliancy, virility and intensity. Peculiar to the violins of Joseph Guarnerius del Gesù. Rarely imitated with any degree of success. Rare.
7(Guarneri) Length of body … … 13 3/4 to 13 7/8 ins.
8Width across lower bouts … 8 1/8 ins.
9Width across upper bouts … 6 9/16 ins.
10Arching variable but tending to flatness
12"ITALIAN."—Not a type, but an expression, used to distinguish the tone of ancient Italian violins from those made in other countries. Now rather loosely applied to any instrument possessing tonal qualities above the average.
14STRADIVARIAN.—Rich, mellow, sympathetic and powerful. The favourite with most
16* The violins produced in any part of modern Italy as a rule possess repute no higher than those made in other countries. So long ago as the latter years of the eighteenth century it became necessary for the Italian workmen to seek information in the art from Paris and other cities of France. As for Cremona of the present day, it may almost be said that, as a violin centre, it is not seriously considered at all. I believe some effort has recently been made to revive its ancient glories, but the success of the venture is still very much in doubt.
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