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I purchased this violin in hopes of my children playing it at some point in the future. (I play cello.) Does anyone know anything about this violin?
Inside is penciled:
J. Johnson
Mineapolis
1897
(notice the one 'n' in Minneapolis) I live in Minnesota, so I am assuming "Mineapolis" refers to the one in the Twin Cities.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Any idea of its worth?
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Hi Michael and others. Is the violin a fractional size? If in doubt, measure the length of the body and see if it is 14 inches. The reason why I ask is that it looks to me like the tailpiece is oversized for it (like a 4/4 tailpiece on a 3/4 Violin) and the bridge has been moved up toward the end of the fingerboard to compensate (the bridge normally located by referencing the “Mensur” on the f holes.
@bocaholly had similar work done on her violin so that she can play it has a 7/8 violin.
There is a stick called the sound post placed inside the body adjacent to the “e” String side of the bridge. You can view it through the treble side f hole. Please take a picture of the sound post to see if that was moved forward as well.
The Violin appears to be in good shape and well made. The issues I suggest seem to have been made in a coordinated fashion to address a need of a past user, and should be easy to sort if your children want to play it in a “normal” fashion.
No clue as to value.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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Irv said
...Is the violin a fractional size? If in doubt, measure the length of the body and see if it is 14 inches...
Thanks, Irv! Yes, it is indeed 14 inches long.
..the sound post placed inside the body adjacent to the “e” String side of the bridge...
I made the silly mistake of adjusting the pegs and the sound post came loose. It now rolls around inside.
Honorary advisor
Regulars
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Fiddlerman has the tools you need to reset the soundpost and detailed videos on how to do it. Not expensive at all.
https://fiddlershop.com/produc.....er-remover
Nice looking violin.
Regulars
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Hi Michael. Loosen string tension if the sound post is not in place. Place a piece of card board under the tail piece so the fine tuner does not mar the front plate.
Please measure the length of the tail piece. Might be from a viola.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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@Irv Thanks for the advice. The tailpiece is 4 3/8" long.
Regulars
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4 3/4" sounds about right. I just measured a couple of random tailpieces lying around and they were both 4 1/2.
Wish you luck finding out more about your violin!
Regulars
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Michael, I may be confused due to your camera angle. I suggest that you compare the violin accessory placement with the convenient photo of a violin provided in the Fiddlerman advertisement on the forum page. To me, the bridge on yours is too much toward the fingerboard and the tail piece end lines up with the bottom of the f holes. You want the placements to be as shown in the photo. Perhaps they are.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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If interested in the value, you could try calling some shops in the city. Someone may be familiar with the history of "J. Johnson". They may want to lay eyes on it. Most shops will charge a nominal fee for a true appraisal.
It wouldn't hurt to take it into one of these shops for a service either. Maybe get the appraisal and adjustments done for one lump sum. You won't want to have the soundpost rolling(or worse, placed incorrectly) for longer than you need to.
Otherwise, if it's as old as we believe it is, once the adjustments are done I bet it will sound and play wonderfully.
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