NEUNER & HORNSTEINER
an excellent Mittenwald fiddle

I would guestimate this violin to have been made in the last quarter of the 19th century. The Neuner and Hornsteiner coalition was the result of the uniting of two renowned German violin making families. Their goal was to gain a share of the expanding European export market. They employed as many as 200 craftsmen in two German cities at one point. Their string instruments were crafted by experts and inspected and adjusted by their best luthiers. This instrument has had no repairs, and other than some minor cosmetic wear, is in excellent condition and ready for immediate play -- a worthy instrument for the advancing quartet player -- or anyone who is just plain fussy about their sound. This has all the hallmarks of a top tier production piece -- both visually and aurally.

The table is a very finely grained spruce and the bookmatched back is of intensely flamed maple. The fluting at the corners is prouncedly deep yet the flanks recede gradually to the level of the purfling at top and bottom. It has been well cared for and has a nicely aged patina combined with a mature and resonant sound. Excellently crafted and extremely light in weight, it is one of the better Mittenwald trade pieces.

The scroll is deeply cut with side set ears and a good degree of panache. The ebony pegs hold well and turn easily.

Above -- a closer look at just the corpus

A good set up is essential for optimum volume and ease of play. The strings clear the end of board at 3/16" on the g, and 1/8" at the e and the bridge ht. runs from 1 1/16" to 1" at the E.

There's a lot of 'foot' on this Aubert bridge. Above right, the shoulder area shows a pin located just left of centerline below the high, parabolic 'Staineresque' button -- and another into the bottom tail block to the right of center; a sign of craftsmanship that's almost never seen on production models.

It's refreshing to see an unquestionably authentic label on an antique instrument, however, the top edge is evident of an attempt at tampering (lifting a bonafide label) by using a glue solvent which resulted in the ink of the border lines 'migrating' inward. Seeing that, they wisely and immediately halted their attempt.

Ab.L, an ebony block pin, and a section of ribbing

The lightly flamed maple ribs are a uniform 1 1/4" high all around. Both top and bottom plates are very thin although deeply modelled in a Stainer like pattern. The purfling is finely laid. The ebony fingerboard is in fine shape. It is fitted out with a new rosewood tailpiece and a mix of Pirastro strings.

Above, a look at the heel join, bee sting mitre and end button seam. The channels are deeply carved at the corners and waist and rise gradually to the upper and lower bouts.

SOUND & PLAYABILITY
Mature, melodious and resonant best describes its sound. It is very articulate with quick response and ease of play. Double stops are harmonious--no weak areas-- The notes are very well rounded and focused. This is not a typical 'dark' sounding violin. It has very sympathetic overtones and a sweetness to it that is seldom found. It responds quickly and well to the bow -- press it hard or play it soft -- and the high end is devoid of that irritating tinge of tinniness that often spoils an otherwise fine sounding instrument.
MEASURES
LoB is 356 mm. --- body stop is 186 mm. --- string lgth. is 318 mm. --- neck stop is 131 mm.

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