Just came across a fiddle that was in pieces in someone's garage for 70 years.... my Dad took it to a guitar builder and had it put back together. It still needs to be set up and sounds awful at the moment but it is very beautiful and very different. We know it came to Canada from Scotland in 1870. It has no label. The shape of it is what interests me. It has a very flat shape at the top by the chin rest and where the neck joins the body. Compared to my other fiddle, which is also 200+ years old, the back has a very deep curve to it. You can almost cup your hand around it. It is also quite narrow in the middle. Some of the building of it seems quite fine, while other parts seem quite rough. We are kind of guessing that it was not made by any kind of master but perhaps someone was trying to copy a style. Can anyone tell me anything about that kind of shape?
As i understand it, it is so called as it could be tucked into a pocket and was used by dancing masters while monstrating and teaching dances. It was held against the body rather than under the chin. My wife has one and it has a very square body.
French fiddles generally had flatter bellys, while German ones were really arched and sometimes a little narrower. These are generalisations, and it sounds as though yours has characteristics of both - a fairly flat top but a deeply arched back making it something of a hybrid. Do you have a photo of it online anywhere?
I'd love to see a pic of the fiddle - as you suggest, perhaps you could email it to me (sorry for the public post but I couldn't see an email link on your profile)
Are there other resources for researching the makers of violins? I have what I am told is a French fiddle from the turn of the last century. They did not know the maker name, but thought if I was ever in London, people there might be able to tell me who made it.
Interesting fiddle
Interesting fiddle
Just came across a fiddle that was in pieces in someone's garage for 70 years.... my Dad took it to a guitar builder and had it put back together. It still needs to be set up and sounds awful at the moment but it is very beautiful and very different. We know it came to Canada from Scotland in 1870. It has no label. The shape of it is what interests me. It has a very flat shape at the top by the chin rest and where the neck joins the body. Compared to my other fiddle, which is also 200+ years old, the back has a very deep curve to it. You can almost cup your hand around it. It is also quite narrow in the middle. Some of the building of it seems quite fine, while other parts seem quite rough. We are kind of guessing that it was not made by any kind of master but perhaps someone was trying to copy a style. Can anyone tell me anything about that kind of shape?
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by ANNY
Re: Interesting fiddle
Could it be a pochette (spelling)?
As i understand it, it is so called as it could be tucked into a pocket and was used by dancing masters while monstrating and teaching dances. It was held against the body rather than under the chin. My wife has one and it has a very square body.
my tuppence ha'poth's worth anyway!
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by nick b
Re: Interesting fiddle
does it look like any of these?
http://www.springersmusic.co.uk/Library/Violin%20collection.htm
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Interesting fiddle
Neat collection Kerri! Kind of like the 19th c narrow..... but not quite.
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by ANNY
Re: Interesting fiddle
I think I heard that french violins had narrower necks. But I don't know where I heard that. So don't take my word for it.
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by Emily Horne
Re: Interesting fiddle
French fiddles generally had flatter bellys, while German ones were really arched and sometimes a little narrower. These are generalisations, and it sounds as though yours has characteristics of both - a fairly flat top but a deeply arched back making it something of a hybrid. Do you have a photo of it online anywhere?
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by ijerry
Re: Interesting fiddle
Hi ANNY
I'd love to see a pic of the fiddle - as you suggest, perhaps you could email it to me (sorry for the public post but I couldn't see an email link on your profile)
cheers
Jerry
# Posted on May 6th 2005 by ijerry
Re: Interesting fiddle
Are there other resources for researching the makers of violins? I have what I am told is a French fiddle from the turn of the last century. They did not know the maker name, but thought if I was ever in London, people there might be able to tell me who made it.
# Posted on May 6th 2005 by Jode