What makes a quality violin?

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When discussing quality violins we think of Amadi, Guarneri, Stradivarius and their "copies." It is possible to find quality violins if you know what to look and listen for. All quality violins, regardless of size or pedigree, share some critical common characteristics.

Overall Features

Quality violins have well-seasoned, older wood not young, "green" wood. Since wood is naturally susceptible to humidity and temperature changes, using older wood avoids cracks, warping and bulging and provides proper resonance and powerful tone.

Body Features

Look for spruce tops and a body made of maple or other hard wood. The perfling (its decorative "line") is inlaid, not painted. Body arching is not high; the seams between the parts are clean, and the glue invisible.

Fittings Features

Wood fittings---pegs, fingerboard, tailpiece and chinrest---are of smooth, crack-free ebony, boxwood or rosewood. Chinrests on better quality violins are cork-lined wood.

Getting Quality Sound Straight

The scroll, fingerboard, nut, bridge and tailpiece should make a straight line. The nut should be raised and have string grooves. Look for straight pegs staggered within the peg box.

Posts For Quality Tone

The sound post and bridge lend to tone quality. The dowel-like sound post is inside the E-string side of the violin, clearly visible through the f-hole. The bridge is neither too high nor too thick, properly placed between the fingerboard and tailpiece and between the f-hole notches.

Considerations

Don't rely solely on the violin label, which can be altered. Instead, seek these signs of quality craftsmanship.

Source:

What Makes a Good Violin

Peter Zaret & Sons: How to Choose a Violin

How to Buy a Violin

More Information:

What Makes One Violin Better than Another?

Suzuki Association of the Americas

The Violin Site

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What makes a quality violin?

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