Sewell L. Boyce Violin- Norwich, New York 1894

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Label:

Sewell L. Boyce (1854–1930) was an American violin maker based in Norwich, New York, who worked during the late 19th century. His violins are made with a Strad-like f hole and are well constructed. Boyce established his violin company in 1890 in Norwich and worked for ten years there before moving to San Bernadino, California. He was known as a very good craftsman/restorer with a keen eye for attention to detail. The violin is completed with ebony fittings cut here at the shop and with a Despiau bridge. The violin has a back of two-piece highly flamed maple with matching ribs. The top plate is fine grain spruce at the center seam that broadens towards both flanks. The varnish is hand drawn with a golden base and a transparent orange/ brown color. The instrument is in very good condition.

Corpus 360.0 mm., Major Width 206.0 mm., Minor Width 176.0 mm., Rib height 30.0 mm

The violin has a well-balanced powerful sound. The violin lays well and is fun to play because the response off the strings is very quick. The resonance and color on the G and D strings stand out, and the treble side is just as powerful. The bottom end is rich and full, and the E and A strings produce the same power with an edge of brightness to the tone. This is the response I expect on good violin. The entire tonal palate is pleasing to the ear and delivers on power. The violin is in a very good state of preservation with beautiful wood choice and a sound to match.