Description

This is a seriously great sounding 3/4 size violin. Authentic violins by the master luthier (whose name is correctly spelled Johann Baptist Schweitzer) were made in Budapest, Hungary. However, because his name is one of the most widely counterfeited in string instrument history, there are two distinct origins for violins bearing this name: Genuine Schweitzer Violins (c. 1812–1865): Schweitzer trained in Vienna before settling in Pest (Budapest) in 1825. He individually hand-crafted premium violins, cellos, and double basses there until his death in 1865. Genuine instruments are rare and highly valuable. “Schweitzer” Trade Violins (c. 1870–1920): If your violin has a label that reads “Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer fecit ad formam Hieronym Amati Pestini 1813” (or a similar year), it was almost certainly manufactured decades after his death in a production factory located in Markneukirchen, Germany or parts of the Czech Republic. Because his work was so highly regarded, German and Bohemian factories mass-produced millions of student-grade “trade violins” between 1880 and 1920. They pasted replica labels inside that say “Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer fecit at forman Hieronym. Amati Pestini 1813” (or a similar year). Over time, aging and cursive fonts cause many owners to misread “Schweitzer” as “Schwartzer.” This is one of the latter factory instruments, with the 1813 label. This is definitely a nice instrument and has a one-piece back. We put new strings on it and she’s all ready to play! Very nice projection and tone, whomever gets this will certainly enjoy it! It is in very good condition, with light wear and comes with a hard case.

• Schweitzer copy of an Amahi
• 3/4 size
• Solid spruce top
• Solid one-piece maple back
• Maple ribs
• Maple neck
• Ebony fingerboard
• 4 fine tuners
• Hard case