This is a very fine old violin, with history and stories to tell, that has been re-graduated and re-voiced by increasingly well-known and respected maker, Royce Burt of Florida. He utilizes proprietary formulas and “recipes” for bringing out a violin’s best tonality, and this one is no exception. This old fiddle possesses a strong, dark, woody, and resonant tone, with powerful G and D strings combined with a sweet upper register and easily accessible harmonics. This fiddle is in very good condition for its 130-plus years of age, and has a very big, deep sound.
The top is of tightly-grained spruce with a warm reddish orange varnish. The couple of old cracks (none near the bass bar or sound post) were professionally repaired when the top was off for re-graduation. Its back consists of beautiful 2-piece, narrowly-flamed maple with a red-to-gold varnish.
Recently strung with D’Addario Zyex strings for a warm and stable tone, it has fine tuners on all four strings for ease and convenience in tuning. Well-fitted ebony pegs, a planed and polished ebony fingerboard, and an ebony tailpiece and chin rest complete the components.
According to Royce’s original video description(# 176), the fiddle has a “big, wide body with a very big sound and a great scroll. The ribs may be a tad deeper than usual (1 ½”– 1 5/8”), contributing to its tone. Back length is 14”, with a 6 ½” upper bout, an 8” lower bout, and a wide 4 ½” waist. It has big, fat, clear, deep and prominent G and D strings, and a very sweet upper register. Not a boxy sound, with lots of depth and power.”
This fiddle is, IMHO, ideal for bluegrass, old-time, country, or other traditional genres. It will not disappoint.
It has no case, but will be packed well for a safe shipment.
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