Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer 4/4 Violin Copy / 1880s / Excellent

Here is a lovely example of a German, Markneukirchen violin from the late 19th century.  Attributed to Johann Baptist Schweitzer, who made violins in Budapest, this is undoubtedly a copy.  It is in excellent condition, with a loud, robust tone and with one, FAKE crack on the top.  Apparently, it was a commonplace technique to fake the appearance of cracks on newly made trade instruments, to make them look older.  The violin comes in a fitted Hard Shell case (one of the bow clips is missing) and has a Tourte Octagonal Stick bow, in fair to good condition.

The label indicates that it was made in 1813, but historically, these German trade Schweitzers were made largely from 1880 to 1900.  It does have a handwritten repair tag from 1902, which suggests to me that the violin probably dates from a point closer to 1880.

This violin is in Excellent structural condition, with no cracks, splits or open seams.  It has a medium curled, one piece Maple Back Plate, Ribs and Neck.  The points are sharp, clean and well defined, and there is minimal loss of varnish, anywhere on the instrument.  Pegs fit snugly.  The chin-rest is a recent replacement.

As mentioned above, the projection is powerful and the tone robust and warm.  The action is quite comfortable.

Important Dimensions:

Total length -23 1/2 inches

Corpus - 363mm

Major Width - 202mm

Minor Width - 165mm

Waist - 115mm

Rib Height - 30-32mm

Scroll (tip to edge of Fingerboard) - 115mm

Neck (Nut edge to Root) - 130mm

Arch Height - 60mm

Vibration Length - 325mm

This is a great example of a German Trade Violin from the late 1800s - early 1900s, set up and ready to play.

Please check the photographs carefully as I have tried to capture this instrument in detail and from all angles.  Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.

This Johann Baptist Schweitzer Violin copy is sold AS IS and is not returnable unless it arrives in a condition other than as described or photographed, here.

The violin comes with a very nice, fitted hard case and a Tourte, octagonal stick bow (German). The bow is straight, the hair is in fine shape, but the frog is a bit wonky.  Everything is serviceable, as is, but you’ll want to upgrade the bow.

Price: $1650 (was $2200) + $85 shipping (Lower 48 USA only)

Assessing Instrument Condition

Instrument condition is a concern for sellers and buyers alike, and it is important that we are both on the same page.  Often, terms used in defining instrument condition, are somewhat misleading because they only reference appearance, and not functionality.  All instruments that we list are defined in the following ways, and under the accompanying understandings:

Brand New - Brand new simply means that it has never been sold, previously.  It is safe to assume that a Brand New instrument functions perfectly, but it is NOT necessarily the case that it is without blemishes.  Think of going into a guitar store and taking a new instrument off the wall; it will occasionally have dings or scratches that it has picked up by bumping into other instruments or from another person, trying it out.  If we sell an instrument as Brand New and it has blemishes, they will be photographed for the listing.

Mint - Mint condition is Flawless.  It is an instrument that is both flawless in appearance and perfect in its functionality.  

Near Mint - If our listing stresses that the instrument is Near Mint, it may have a cosmetic flaw or two.  They will be photographed or described as part of the listing.

Excellent - An instrument in Excellent condition will function perfectly, but may show some signs of use on close inspection.  Minor nicks and dings, cloudy spots of finish, or fading color or finish, is all par for the course. The determination of Excellent condition will also depend on the age and overall quality of the instrument.  A 1940s Gibson J200 with a scratch or two, a nick in the finish, and even a repaired bridge plate, but otherwise perfect and with a great playing action, can be said to be in Excellent Condition.  At the same time, a five year old Gibson J200 with the same blemishes might be considered to be in Excellent Minus condition.  And a 1970s era guitar that has been played regularly, gigged out, and has some scuffs and dents to show for it, but which don’t tend to show from a short distance, and which sounds and plays great, is still in Excellent Condition.  There is a degree of “it’s all relative,” at work here.

Very Good - An instrument in Very Good condition is still perfectly functional, but will have blemishes, scuffs, dents and dings that are readily apparent, at a reasonable viewing distance (like from the audience to the stage). That instrument also may have signs of prior repairs, or may have been retrofitted or customized with non-original parts.  Any of these conditions with an instrument will be photographed and described as part of the listing.

Good - An instrument in Good condition will play well, but perhaps not without some minor issue.  For instance, an electric guitar with a scratchy potentiometer, may still be considered to be in Good condition if that pot does not affect the output of the pickup. Or a guitar might lack a tremolo arm or pick guard.  The instrument is playable, the part can be replaced if the buyer wishes to do so, and thus it is in good condition.  Again, any and all defects or limitations to the instrument will be defined or photographed for the listing.

Fair, Poor or Project - This instrument is most likely to be in need of substantial work to make it fully functional.  It may be a violin with an open seam along the back, a guitar with a lifting bridge or non-working pickups, or a guitar or mandolin with a high action and in need of a neck reset. 

The Bottom Line - The bottom line is this: Functionality is more important than Aesthetics (though aesthetics ARE important), and the quality and recognized market value of the instrument takes precedence over minor cosmetic concerns.  Read the listing carefully. Study the photos thoroughly.  Reach out and ask questions first (we are always happy to talk shop!).