Available Instruments and Bows

Availability is constantly changing.  The examples on this page concentrate on instruments offering good value for money, of the type described in the final paragraph of "Why spend more than the minimum on a bowed string instrument" part of the site.  However, if you do not see exactly what you want, particularly if you are seeking a fine instrument with a particular provenance, or if you want to talk to help to form a conclusion about your requirements, please telephone or e-mail .  If what you want is not in stock it can probably be located for you.

Please note that it is usually possible to supply cheap instruments set up to a reasonable standard, which alleviates some of the difficulties outlined elsewhere on this site.

Examples of Instruments in Stock

Full Sized Violins

Caussin School - l.o.b. 14 ¹/₁₆".  A fine Victorian example, two piece belly with grain wide at edges and narrowing towards centre, two piece back, flame in chevron form with apex towards tail of instrument.  Orange varnish, artificially aged when made and also somewhat worn.  £900

French School - l.o.b. 14 ¹/₈".  Imported by Beare and Sons, London, probably between the wars, and bearing a spurious name on their label.  Two piece belly of medium grain, slightly narrower near centre, light horizontal curl on two piece back.  Brown varnish. £375, including student bow and old case.

German or Middle-European - l.o.b. 14 ³/₁₆".  Two piece belly, wide grain at edges becoming medium towards the middle, plain two piece back   Yellow/orange varnish.  £225, including used, zip case and used, repaired bow bearing an illegible signature.

French – l.o.b. 14 ³/₁₆".  Early C20 French instrument from workshops of Jerome Thibouville-Lamy.  Two piece belly, wide grain at centre, narrowing at extreme edges.  Two piece back, flame in chevron form, with apex towards the button.  Labelled as a copy of Nicholas Amati, 1676.  Lustrous, dark cherry varnish.  £500.

German – l.o.b. 14 ¹/₈".  Unlabelled inter-wars instrument.  Two piece belly, narrow grain at edges, widening towards centre, two piece back. Flame in chevron form with apex towards button.  Orange varnish.  £400, including zip case with music pouch and student bow.

German – l.o.b. 14 ³/₁₆".  Characterful late Victorian instrument, unlabelled.  Two piece belly, slightly narrower grain towards centre than at edges, one piece back cut on the slab.  Orange varnish.  £350, with old case and student bow.

SMALLER SIZED VIOLINS

Three-quarter Sized violins

Lowenthal workshop, Dresden, Germany – l.o.b. 13 ¹/₈".  A late Victorian instrument with Stradivarian modelling.  Two piece belly of medium grain, narrowing near centre, plain two piece back.  Orange varnish, some wear.  £350, including old case and student bow.

Jerome Thibouville-Lamy workshop, Mirecourt, France – l.o.b.12 ¹⁵/₁₆".  Dulcis et Fortis model, so labelled, probably from George V’s time.  One piece belly of medium grain, two piece back of narrow, almost horizontal curl.  Yellow-orange varnish, some wear.  £380, including old case and student bow.

German – l.o.b. 13 ³/₈".  Two piece belly of narrow grain at centre, widening towards edges, two piece back of narrow, almost horizontal curl.  Chestnut varnish.  £250, including old case and student bow.

German – l.o.b. 13 ³/₁₆".  Two piece belly of narrow grain at centre, widening towards edges, two piece back of light, almost horizontal curl.  Chestnut varnish, some scratches and chips.  £200, including old case and student bow.

Half-sized violins

French – l.o.b. 11 ⁷/₈". Early C20.  One piece belly of consistent medium grain, one piece back with narrow curl ascending slightly from left to right.  Glossy, dark varnish.  £400, including old case and student bow.

German – l.o.b. 12 ¹/₈".  Walter Ulbricht vintage.  Two piece belly, narrow grain at edges and near centre line, widening on arching, plain two piece back.  Brown varnish.  £150, including old case and student bow.

NOTES:

(i)  Oriental instruments, slightly improved from ex-factory, usually available at modest cost.

(ii) Collection and delivery in parts of South London.

(iii) Telephone messages, emails and letters answered efficiently.