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Root solo Violin 1903/ Hopf

 
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Mat Roop
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Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:29 am    Post subject: Root solo Violin 1903/ Hopf Reply with quote

A client brought in 2 violins... a 1903 Root Solo and a Hopf with a neck that projects into the body.... Presumeably pre 1800... no label, just the stamp at the button.
The challenge is that neither are in a condition to be strung up and the client asked me to repair the best one... saying she prefers a deeper tone....LOL!!
Both are about equally well made with blocks and good figured wood. The Hopf has top grain of about 13/inch and the Root is about 18/inch
Thoughts anyone? Any way to pedict the potential nature of sound of an unstrung violin?
From experience, does anyone have a general notion of the nature of the tone from these two makes of instruments?... will the wider grain give a deeper tone?
Thanks, Mat
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Dave Chandler
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Joined: 31 Oct 2007
Posts: 691
Location: Mt Mitchell in North Carolina

PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:54 pm    Post subject: 2 Violins Reply with quote

Any reason not to bring both violins up to playable condition? I would think until you can adjust the soundpost it may be impossible to tell which will have the deeper sound. Doesn't a denser top make for a brighter and cleaner sound?
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Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo
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Dave Chandler
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Joined: 31 Oct 2007
Posts: 691
Location: Mt Mitchell in North Carolina

PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:45 pm    Post subject: 2 Violins Reply with quote

After thinking on this a little more - One author indicates that more dense plates absorb more of the sound, and another writes that more dense plates make for more brilliant sound. Still another distinguishes what makes for density is the ratio of winter versus summer growth. All have caveats. Good luck, maybe someone reading this will have some actual experience with these two makers. I'm still a novice.
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Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo
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Michael Darnton
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 1281
Location: Chicago

PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the Hopf case, the neck construction doesn't indicate that it's an early violin--that construction was used in them up close to 1900. In general, the Hopfs I've heard have had a pleasant, somewhat small, but very sweet sound--not really dark, but easy to listen to.

I don't know what a Root is, so I can't help you on that one. Based on the Hopfs I've heard, though, the Root will be louder. :-)

Width of grain, alone, doesn't mean much.
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Mat Roop
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Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for your reply Michael... The root violin label reads "Root Solo Violin E.T. Root & Sons Chicago Ill. #297 1903"... Thought you may be interested!
One more question though...anyone... both the Root and Hopf have the center seam pulled apart under the tailpiece....
1- Why do they separate just under the tailpiece... I have seen that before
2- What process do you use to re glue that kind of split? Will it generally hold (is it good practice) by using good thick hot hide glue and a solid claming?
I have included a picture of the split seams on both violins


Thanks for all the advice!...Mat[/img]
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Mat Roop
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Joined: 24 Mar 2007
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Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sorry... missed the Hopf photo

Cheers, Mat
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Mat Roop
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Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had a harder look at these two violins... the Root seems to be of the Strad Long Pattern... body length is 364mm
Anyone know the general character of the sound of long body violins?
Thanks, Mat
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