Ernst Heinrich Roth Violin – Markneukirchen circa 1930

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Ernst Heinrich Roth (1877- 1948) had the ideal prerequisites for attaining musical greatness. He was a talented musician who played several instruments and had perfect pitch. He began his career by completing his training in the workshop founded by his father, Gustav Robert Roth, in 1873. On top of studying in Markneukirchen, Ernst Heinrich traveled to study under violin makers in Austria, Hungary, Russia, and France and later returned to his home country with extensive knowledge of making. His skill and musical training helped Ernst Heinrich Roth become one of the finest craftsmen of the 20th century and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Germany. Roth violins were mostly patterned after Italian masters. The violin tops were made of fine-grained Italian spruce, and the backs were deeply flamed maple. The aged European wood was the key factor that sets their violins apart. Roth violins of the 1920s and early 1930s shared these defining characteristics of choice woods. This Roth is branded but the paper label is missing. The violin has beautiful amber/brown/light golden color on a golden ground oil-based varnish, and features masterful craftsmanship applied with detailed care. The quality of the workmanship is high and the maple back is a one-piece plate.

Corpus 360.0 mm., Major Width 208.0 mm., Minor Width 169.0 mm., Rib Height 28.5.0 – 29.0 mm.

The sound on the violin is robust and leans to the darker side of the violin sound spectrum. The bottom end has the drive with a slight covered sound speaking of the clarity. The treble side is focused with bright carrying overtone. The entire sound is very nice and fits right in with the excellent reputation of the Roth family instruments. It is resonant, and I can feel the instrument vibrating as I play. This instrument will make a great fit for an orchestral setting.