Scan 150
Voice and violin : sketches, anecdotes, and reminiscences, 1898
6 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 130. See the scan on archive.org.
1As regards tone the violins by Sebastian Klopz are quite as fine as the finest violins of Cremona. They are very like the Stradivarius instruments of 1709 to 1720, but slightly flatter, and to my taste rather more elegant in appearance, but they have not quite the same delicate finish, although there is a very close approach to it. Those I have seen were covered with the most beautiful cherry-red over a golden yellow varnish, the former tint having become more or less mahogany-coloured by age and the action of light, which gives them a most charming appearance, like that of a luscious ripe fruit. The outline and model is that of Stradivarius at his best period, but with a slightly flatter back. The sound-holes are exactly those of Stradivarius, and the same may be said of the whole outline of the table.
3Sebastian Klopz is the only member of his family, as far as I am aware, that has produced violins of the very finest quality. The other makers of this name often made upon quite a different pattern (that of Stainer or that of Amati), and the quality of their instruments is very variable, though generally good.
5It need scarcely be added that the name of Klopz, like that of other great makers, has been frequently forged and placed on labels in all kinds of violins, so that great numbers of decidedly inferior instruments have, over and over again, been sold as Klopz violins.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.