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Fredthefiddler - Posted - 12/31/2017: 17:51:19
Greetings - - newbie to the forum here. Got my first violin 61 years ago in 7th grade and have several. Looking on Ebay, I find the baroque violins interesting and attractive. They will make one combining features from several violins, such as body shape, ff hole configuration, and scroll features. But in corresponding with the maker/seller, I'm told that they use wood glue, like Titebond, not hot hide glue. On the one hand, this is a big red flag. On the other, $600 will buy one that looks really good and is reported to have a great sound. And they do accept returns. So I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts/experience with this type of instrument.
Thank you for sharing!
Best regards,
Fredthefiddler
amwildman - Posted - 12/31/2017: 18:30:25
I would avoid any instrument made with Titebond, period. Not only is it hard to repair, but the glue is too strong. You want your glue joints to be a bit weaker. I'd rather have a glue joint fail than for a crack to form in the wrong spot.
Fredthefiddler - Posted - 01/01/2018: 04:33:12
Thank you Aaron, I totally agree. Hot hide is the best.
Dan Gellert - Posted - 01/10/2018: 18:55:05
To most violinists and luthiers, "baroque" refers to an historic period, and to how instruments were designed and set up at that time-- typically with a shorter fingerboard and lower neck angle compared to modern fiddles. When describing visual art and design, "baroque" tends to be used to describe the tendency to overdone decoration associated with that era (which is NOT characteristic of most baroque violins).
Song, and other Chinese makers selling on eBay, have got the two definitions confused. Some of the violins they call "baroque" or "baroque style" have been made to at least look like they fit the first definition. Most, however, are just more-or-less outlandishly designed and/or decorated fiddles of generally modern configuration.
