I have been passed down my Great Grand Fathers fiddle.
It's scroll is a carved lion's head. I can't find much info about it.
I didn't know if these was something common or traced to a certain maker. I know my great grand dad was from Ireland. I
don't know if he brought it with him or bought it in the U.S.
I love playing it and I don't care what it's worth, it's priceless to me. Thanks for any help
I had one of these violins (or a cheap copy) some years ago.
An instrument repairman in my home town referred to it as having a "Tyrolean" scroll.
This seems to be confirmed by my finding a violin on ebay described the same way (Tyrolean nscroll), with photos of the violin including the lovely carved lion's-head scroll.
Great to here from everybody. I didn't know they were that common. My great granddad played Irish jigs then his sons
used it to play bluegrass. I just love trying and to keep it going to the next generation. Thanks
My Grandfather had a fiddle like this that he gave to me. The story he told me is that his father bought it for him from gypsies. The stamp on the back says Stainer. He told me that Stainer taught Stradivarius, but I'm not sure if this is true. I haven't had it professionally looked at, but if it is a genuine Stainer, then it could be worth a lot of money. Unfortunately, there was a lot of copies made by other luthiers, so there is a very good chance it's a fake. I found the name of a luthier that specializes in analyzing Stainers, but I can't remember it now. I think it is Richard something. He charges $30 U.S. and all you have to do is send him pictures. Hope this helps!
Oh, there is also a label on the inside that says Jacobus Stainer, something else, then made in Czechoslovakia. Its all written is some European language, probably Czech or German.
All that a Stradivari label inside a fiddle shows is that the instrument "may" have some of the design features of a Strad. The instrument could be one of the 600-odd authenticated genuine Strads still in existence (they're all accounted for); or it may not be one of those rarities, but still wonderful to play on; or it may be somewhat less than satisfactory. All of which says that labels - of whatever maker's name - unless in a genuine instrument, don't mean very much.
Some, at least, were made in Mittenwald in Bavaria. They made a complete string orchestra of lion-head instruments for someone, which must have been interesting to look at. The quality of the carving varies considerably, as does the qaulity of the sound.
Actually a lot of them came out of Mittenwald, usually with the Stainer label. Denis Murphy used to play one and they were at one time sought after in Ireland as they had the reputation for a clear loud voice.
I have one in the house somewhere but it couldn't handle the Clare climate or at least bit came unglued soon after moving into the present cottage so it hasn't been out of the case for a long time.
I know Tom Paley has both played and owned more than one in his time - if I see him in the next few days I'll ask him and get back to you with more info, as he's become something of a dealer as well as a musician.
There is a French maker called Viallaume (maybe incorrect spelling). His violins are extremely valuable and I think he did a few lion heads so don't go putting it on e-bay before you get it checked out! Yes Pete, Tom's a great guy to buy fiddle's from. He sold me my best bow, which is now bandaged at he top sadly due to too much beer in an irish bar in Maastricht. Still works well though.
Thanks for all the info. I know it's at least 95 years old. It has a good mellow sound. The only other fiddle I have is a student model so it really sounds better than it. It's been played so much thru the years about all the varnish is off the neck. I think it gives it character. Thanks again!
They were, by those standards back then, mass produced. These were the 'fiddles' often featured in old catalogues from the 1800's up to the mid 20th Century, Sears in America for example. I rescued this one from a friend's kindling pile in the hills of Cymru / Wales, and with the help of a another skilled, knowledgeable and patient friend, repaired, rebuilt and refinished it. The usual is a carved in bass bar, but all in all the construction is 'rough and ready'... 'Stainer' most of these aren't, as is true of all those many fiddles that also featured in the mass production of the age, and those catalogues, with the label saying 'Stradivarius'... That said, one fiddling acquaintance in the Canadian Maritines found out the label claim in their fiddle was real ~ and worth a fortune... You never know ~ but there aren't likely to be many Stainer, Amati, Strad or Del Gesu violins out there yet to be discovered... There is however, a continued manufacture of and trade in bogus copies ~ and many sourced from Eastern Europe, including Czechoslovakia. Another friend has been approached to do such faking...
I doubt mine is a Stainer, but it's lived all these many years and still has good sound, I just want to keep it alive and playing for my kids. .... Great infomation!!
Lion head scroll fiddle
Lion head scroll fiddle
I have been passed down my Great Grand Fathers fiddle.
It's scroll is a carved lion's head. I can't find much info about it.
I didn't know if these was something common or traced to a certain maker. I know my great grand dad was from Ireland. I
don't know if he brought it with him or bought it in the U.S.
I love playing it and I don't care what it's worth, it's priceless to me. Thanks for any help
# Posted on April 11th 2007 by Stacey 2
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
I think these were made in Germany in large quantities so there are quite a few around. All are slightly different as they were genuinely hand carved.
# Posted on April 11th 2007 by deeor
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
I had one of these violins (or a cheap copy) some years ago.
An instrument repairman in my home town referred to it as having a "Tyrolean" scroll.
This seems to be confirmed by my finding a violin on ebay described the same way (Tyrolean nscroll), with photos of the violin including the lovely carved lion's-head scroll.
I do not know if this information helps.
Good luck.
# Posted on April 11th 2007 by Rook
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Thanks for the leads ,thats the most info I've had.
keep on playing
# Posted on April 11th 2007 by Stacey 2
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
I've met three people who have them - a neighbor here in Massachusetts, a friend in Utah, and a German woman living in Clare.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by GaryAMartin
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
My instructor here in North Carolina also has one. Lovely fiddle.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Twistytie
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Great to here from everybody. I didn't know they were that common. My great granddad played Irish jigs then his sons
used it to play bluegrass. I just love trying and to keep it going to the next generation. Thanks
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Stacey 2
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
My Grandfather had a fiddle like this that he gave to me. The story he told me is that his father bought it for him from gypsies. The stamp on the back says Stainer. He told me that Stainer taught Stradivarius, but I'm not sure if this is true. I haven't had it professionally looked at, but if it is a genuine Stainer, then it could be worth a lot of money. Unfortunately, there was a lot of copies made by other luthiers, so there is a very good chance it's a fake. I found the name of a luthier that specializes in analyzing Stainers, but I can't remember it now. I think it is Richard something. He charges $30 U.S. and all you have to do is send him pictures. Hope this helps!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by rob_handel
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Oh, there is also a label on the inside that says Jacobus Stainer, something else, then made in Czechoslovakia. Its all written is some European language, probably Czech or German.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by rob_handel
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Stradivari (and Guaneri) were in fact pupils of Amati.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Thanks for clearing that up, lazyhound. My grandfather has a habit of exaggerating to liven up a story!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by rob_handel
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
All that a Stradivari label inside a fiddle shows is that the instrument "may" have some of the design features of a Strad. The instrument could be one of the 600-odd authenticated genuine Strads still in existence (they're all accounted for); or it may not be one of those rarities, but still wonderful to play on; or it may be somewhat less than satisfactory. All of which says that labels - of whatever maker's name - unless in a genuine instrument, don't mean very much.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Some, at least, were made in Mittenwald in Bavaria. They made a complete string orchestra of lion-head instruments for someone, which must have been interesting to look at. The quality of the carving varies considerably, as does the qaulity of the sound.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by c.g.
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Actually a lot of them came out of Mittenwald, usually with the Stainer label. Denis Murphy used to play one and they were at one time sought after in Ireland as they had the reputation for a clear loud voice.
I have one in the house somewhere but it couldn't handle the Clare climate or at least bit came unglued soon after moving into the present cottage so it hasn't been out of the case for a long time.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by kilfarboy
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
I know Tom Paley has both played and owned more than one in his time - if I see him in the next few days I'll ask him and get back to you with more info, as he's become something of a dealer as well as a musician.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
There is a French maker called Viallaume (maybe incorrect spelling). His violins are extremely valuable and I think he did a few lion heads so don't go putting it on e-bay before you get it checked out! Yes Pete, Tom's a great guy to buy fiddle's from. He sold me my best bow, which is now bandaged at he top sadly due to too much beer in an irish bar in Maastricht. Still works well though.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Rob Millner
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Thanks for all the info. I know it's at least 95 years old. It has a good mellow sound. The only other fiddle I have is a student model so it really sounds better than it. It's been played so much thru the years about all the varnish is off the neck. I think it gives it character. Thanks again!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Stacey 2
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Don't you just hate it when bartenders serve bows more beer than they can handle?
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by GaryAMartin
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
Well those blo*dy bows should learn how to handle their booze better!
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by rob_handel
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
A friend of mine got one as a present from Brendan Mulvihill....he used to play it on a regular basis up to that point
# Posted on April 16th 2007 by zoukmike
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
I have a Czech made lion-head fiddle from the first decade of the 1800's...
# Posted on April 18th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
They were, by those standards back then, mass produced. These were the 'fiddles' often featured in old catalogues from the 1800's up to the mid 20th Century, Sears in America for example. I rescued this one from a friend's kindling pile in the hills of Cymru / Wales, and with the help of a another skilled, knowledgeable and patient friend, repaired, rebuilt and refinished it. The usual is a carved in bass bar, but all in all the construction is 'rough and ready'... 'Stainer' most of these aren't, as is true of all those many fiddles that also featured in the mass production of the age, and those catalogues, with the label saying 'Stradivarius'... That said, one fiddling acquaintance in the Canadian Maritines found out the label claim in their fiddle was real ~ and worth a fortune... You never know ~ but there aren't likely to be many Stainer, Amati, Strad or Del Gesu violins out there yet to be discovered... There is however, a continued manufacture of and trade in bogus copies ~ and many sourced from Eastern Europe, including Czechoslovakia. Another friend has been approached to do such faking...
# Posted on April 18th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Lion head scroll fiddle
I doubt mine is a Stainer, but it's lived all these many years and still has good sound, I just want to keep it alive and playing for my kids. .... Great infomation!!
# Posted on April 19th 2007 by Stacey 2