Posted by pick1 on Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I just made a comment to a new member who seems to be beaming with pride over his purchase of a new Horner fiddle. Builders in this area, Horner, JW Greene, Johnnie Rushing and Don Gallager have put their lives into building instruments. None of these guys have commanded big prices even though some of the best musicians in the world are playing instruments from these shops. None of these builders have spent fortunes on advertising. They are satisfied with the fact a happy customer will bring another and every instrument represents those to come. These instruments are priced comparable to off the rack quality, but to be able to have contact with the builder, see the piece of wood and pride going into the work is priceless.
brya31 Says:
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 @9:17:16 AM
That pic you have there is sure one beauty of a fiddle!
Twelvefret Says:
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 @12:30:20 PM
Yes, it is rare these days to be able to obtain a handmade instrument affordably or at the same price as a cnc produced branded product.
Lynn Dudenbostal and Kelvin Scott are also two notible local builders who are nationally recognized for different reasons. While the price of their products are much higher that those you mentioned, obviously they are at the top of their game professionally. I cannot take anything away from them because of their prices.
My concern for the consumer is the pseudo-builder. After reading the Hill's book on Stradivarius there appears to be the continuation of another long standing tradition of buying instruments in the white and labeling them as something they are not. I have heard of one such famous builder in Georgia as doing this for his consumer grade, $5K fiddles. Apparently he does some graduateing to justify taking a $250 mass produced fiddle an making it into something that is worth the extra money.
Fidla Says:
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 @5:47:38 AM
It sure is. We're lucky to have several builders on this Hangout. Steve Perry of Gianna Violins is another builder, Woodwiz (sorry I don't know his name) is another builder. Manfio another.
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