A Fine Violin by Paul Bisch Mirecourt 1926

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Paul Bisch (1893-1967) was born in Mirecourt, France. He was the son of Ignance Bisch, a craftsman of Thibouville-Lamy. Paul entered this firm before joining Léon Mougenot for a certain period. He later returned to Thibouville to work under the direction of Marius Didier. In 1919 after World War I, Bisch was given the opportunity to join Parisian maker Caressa & Français. There he learned the art of fine restoration and was exposed to many expensive vintage Italian and French violins. During his making career Paul made an estimated 500 instruments. His violins have beautiful modeling, excellent handwork on the scroll, arching, sound holes, and purfling. The oil varnish is a deep red/brown on a sparkling yellow ground. His modeling is somewhat similar to that of Gand, someone whose instruments he would have studied. Paul Bisch won prizes for his violins in 1924, 1927, 1928, and 1961. This violin is gorgeous! The spruce top has a fine width straight grain. The one-piece maple back is highly flamed with a medium width classic figure that descends ever so slightly from left to right. The ribs match in degree of flame, and the neck and scroll have a curl that jumps off the page. We have meticulously gone over the entire instrument with a new set up. The varnish has some natural playing wear and patina. The instrument stands alone as elegant and worthy of study because of its construction and wood choice.

• Corpus 355.0 mm.
• Major Width 202.0 mm.
• Minor Width 161.0 mm.
• Rib Height 29.0 mm.

The sound on this violin pops. The responsiveness is quick and Yes! – the sound jumps off the strings. The sustain is for real and its bottom end is rich and mature, with gorgeous overtones. The sound carries with it a slight edginess to the weight. This makes the overtones come alive. This violin has it! Power, response, meatiness in the G and D strings, and the treble side that speaks with sheer sweetness. The sound color of the violin is a mixture of the best cup of expresso you have had and the sweetness of just off the vine concord grapes from the Finger Lakes region of New York State.