Violin Forum/Message Board

[BAM]

We have an old family violin from the late 1800s and we know nothing about our ancestor or his playing. There is a plate on the violin that states it was given "in token of esteem" from a town in Poland. We believe our ancestor came from Scotland, so our ancestor may have been a fiddler or a classical violinist. The violin shows heavy signs of use and we wonder if the wear pattern might indicate whether our ancestor was a fiddler or a violinist. Can anyone help?

Thank you.
Barb

[Chad48309]

I don't think anyone is qualified to make a distinction like that, if one is even possible.
_________________
-C.S.

[Jack London]

The reason it may not be possible is that wear patterns are very often faked, sometimes well and sometimes not so well.

[Chad48309]

[Jack H.]

The only difference I could think about is the amount of rosin left on the top of the violin....

[Chad48309]

[Mat Roop]

Do you still have the old bridge... its shape might be a good clue.
A fiddler likes a lower and flatter bridge.
If the top of the bridge is close to the shape of the arc of a 48 mm radius circle, then likely a fiddler. If arc is close to 42 mm likely classical. Old strings might be a clue also.
Cheers, Mat

[L P Reedy]

A violinist playing a lot in higher positions would generate more wear on the edges, rib and top of the right upper bout than MOST fiddlers. But that's not definitive.

[Mat Roop]