Lawrence K. Brown 5 String Violin 2015 Testore

This is a five string violin custom made by Lawrence Brown of Asheville, North Carolina in 2015. It has a low C string in addition to the violin's usual GDAE, and encompasses the range of a viola and violin. The instrument produces a deep, rich tone which is well suited for either solo or accompaniment use, since it can often play a fourth or full octave below another player.

This five-string has nearly the same scale length as a regular violin, so very little playing adjustment is needed. In addition, the fingerboard has a violin's usual string-to-string spacing, and is proportionally wider to accommodate the C string. The body is slightly wider and thicker than a regular violin, measuring 8 5/16" across the lower bout and 1 5/8" thick. Scale length from bridge to nut is 13 1/8" at the middle D string. The back is 14 1/2" long. Any shoulder rest should fit

The violin includes a small viola case and Glasser fiberglass viola bow, which helps draw out a strong tone. It is currently strung with a Helicore 5-string set (medium tension).   It has a Wittner tailpiece (with five fine tuners) and Wittner finetune pegs (with internal 4:1 ratio gears) that allow the instrument to maintain excellent tuning.

I am the second owner of the violin, which is in as-new condition with no nicks or blemishes. I am selling because I no longer use it very much. It cost $2500 new, in addition to the cost of the Wittner finetune pegs, case and bow.

The luthier, Larry Brown, has built over 2,000 instruments of all types from lutes to guitars. You can find more about him by googling lawrence brown luthier
I've included some pictures he took during the build, including of the original color scheme he was seeking to match (after a violin by Carlo Giuseppe Testore).