Charles Gerrish Guadagnini Model Violin – St. Johnsbury, Vermont 1955

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Second Label:

I believe this violin to be an American violin made in Vermont by maker Charles Gerrish (1890-1960). The violin is based on a Guadagnini pattern – with beautiful woods. The violin does have a sound post patch and is in good to very good condition. The violin has a label claiming to be a Guadagnini made in Turin dated 1830. This is just to catch your eye. The violin was made in Vermont in 1955, with the actual maker’s label on the treble side rib. I have gone over the entire violin with an entire new set up. Pegs, bridge, soundpost, tailpiece, end button, and chin rest. Our instruments for sale here in the shop have to reach certain standards before they reach the showroom. For the most part that means they come downstairs out of the workshop in great condition before they are pictured and put on the web site. But ultimately it is the sound is what matters on any instrument and that will always win out over condition. The violin has a knockout sound even though it has had some fully restored wounds. Fully restored with a sound post patch, the violin is in good condition, and I stand behind it 100%. The one-piece back plate is highly flamed curly maple. The flame is eye catching and is enhanced by the same flame in the ribs, neck, and scroll. The neck has been grafted, and the top plate is spruce from very old growth, very fine tight veined wood. This was some very old growth wood. It is rare and I usually only see this fine veined wood from instruments made in the 1700’s. Truly special. The violin is in the maker’s own model and took a lot of liberties to call this a Guadagnini. The bouts are broader, and the entire shape is a caricature of a Guadagnini for sure. The purfling is totally exquisite! Excellent workmanship, something to be studied, even by an expert luthier. The wood choice for the instrument is way above average, especially for an American violin. A sleeper here in the shop, that wins an award for sound and that is why it is now in our showroom.

Corpus 355.0 mm., Major Width 210.0 mm., Minor Width 167.0 mm., Rib Height 30.0 mm.

The sound is satisfying, full and rich with the bottom bass side generating a slightly covered sound. The bottom is a powerhouse; beefy comes to mind. The response is instant, wonderful, is amazing to listen to. The overtones are evident, and a player will feel the instrument pumping, creating a mature sound with plenty of carrying power. The treble side compliments the G & D strings with a ring and a clear presence and holds back just a little to not be too bright. It’s an older violin that has a good tonal center which rings true even in higher positions. Great overall sound and one that I feel will be a gem playing in an orchestra. Worth a try, an unknown American violin just waiting to be your next reliable partner as a busy musician.