John Friedrich & Bro. Importers NY circa 1900-1910 Guarnerius Model Violin

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We have a fine imported violin, a Guarneri model imported from Germany. The violin was made for and sold by the shop John Friedrich & Bros.in New York. Friedrich (1858 -1943) was born in Kassel, Germany. He studied violin making from 1875-1883 in Kassel, Stuttgart, and Leipzig. In Kassel he began his apprenticeships with Oswald Mockel, a prominent German violin maker and restorer. Friedrich came to the United States in 1883 and in a short time became well known among American makers for his instruments, identification, and valuations. His older brother William (1855-1911) joined him, and they established the violin making firm John Friedrich Bros. on 5th Avenue in New York City. Their elder brother Otto died in 1884. John made many violins in his early years, also bows, violas, and a few cellos, but later the business was chiefly devoted to restoring and selling. He received the highest award for his instruments in Chicago 1893 and for one of his violins at the St. Louis World’s Exposition in 1904. These awards are listed on the maker’s label. The shop’s last year of operation was 1935 when John retired.

This violin has a two-piece highly flamed maple back. The flame is medium-width and descends from the center seam and is stunning. The ribs, neck, and scroll match in degree of flame. The two-piece spruce top has even, medium-width well pronounced grain. The oil varnish is an amber/brown color all on a golden amber ground. The varnish shows some signs of natural wear and patina. We have restored one saddle top split on the treble side of the top plate. We gave the violin a new set up, pegs, cambered the board, Wittner tailpiece and chin rest, a new soundpost and bridge. The violin is in very good condition.

Corpus 360.0 mm., Major Width 206.0 mm., Minor Width 166.0 mm., Rib Height 29.0mm.

The sound is big and full of life. The violin has guts and great edginess to the tone, which helps the violin to project. The bottom end has some nice maturity in the sound, sustaining strength. The instrument does have power. The neck is on the smaller side making it easy to get around on. The E and A strings are powerful too with some definite brilliance. The sound is clear while lasting and simply doesn’t hold back. This violin might also make a fantastic instrument for the Scottish or American fiddler. An instrument with a classic German look and quite a fantastic sound.