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Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:54 am
by steelbuttplate
I didn't know much about this one except it was German. $120 and 8 days later I got it here and my God it was shipped in the case with 2 chunks of Pine resin that are %75 turned to amber. Ping ping all the way from N.J. It was dry as a popcorn fart, probably been in an attic for 60 Years . Turns out to be 100-120 years old, made by G.A. Pfretzschner Marknuekirchen. It was appraised at $600-800 as is. It cleaned up very well, needed strings, fine tuners, the sound post reset, pegs cleaned. I found its twin brother on an auction site that sold in June for $3000. I might be a Violin luthier when I grow up.
BEFORE & AFTER.

No, AFTER and then BEFORE
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:45 pm
by ffuries
Cool, looks like the beginnings of a new hobby for ya. Wonder how it'll sound after a cleaning and tuning?
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 1:41 pm
by Junk Yard Dog
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 1:47 pm
by steelbuttplate
ffuries wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:45 pm
Cool, looks like the beginnings of a new hobby for ya. Wonder how it'll sound after a cleaning and tuning?
It has a beautiful loud tone. I'd have to get somebody that really plays opinion, I'm a intermediate piss pore violin student with big fingers. Maybe I switch to Cello.
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:42 pm
by Junk Yard Dog
steelbuttplate wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 1:47 pm
ffuries wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:45 pm
Cool, looks like the beginnings of a new hobby for ya. Wonder how it'll sound after a cleaning and tuning?
It has a beautiful loud tone. I'd have to get somebody that really plays opinion, I'm a intermediate piss pore violin student with big fingers. Maybe I switch to Cello.
Or the tambourine, Maracas maybe. Three five gallon plastic buckets and a stick? What musical instrument can you play excellently with little to no musical skill? The Victrola.
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:58 pm
by steelbuttplate
Junk Yard Dog wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:42 pm
steelbuttplate wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 1:47 pm
ffuries wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:45 pm
Cool, looks like the beginnings of a new hobby for ya. Wonder how it'll sound after a cleaning and tuning?
It has a beautiful loud tone. I'd have to get somebody that really plays opinion, I'm a intermediate piss pore violin student with big fingers. Maybe I switch to Cello.
Or the tambourine, Maracas maybe. Three five gallon plastic buckets and a stick? What musical instrument can you play excellently with little to no musical skill? The Victrola.
My 7 piece set of Ludwigs sit in the old church ( teen building) and wait to be played. All Zildajn symbols. I'm trying to get the band together, but Jake and Elwood are teenagers, they will play here and then, but won't commit to rehearse. We have canned music in there now that has drums on the track, but the powers that be are in silent war over bringing a drum set into big church. NO beat'um in here. I beat's plenty long time ago.
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:56 pm
by awalker1829
I ought to invest in a good set. I’ve got an electronic set at my parents with a snare and Zildajn cymbals but really should get a good base drum and toms.
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 5:28 am
by steelbuttplate
awalker1829 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:56 pm
I ought to invest in a good set. I’ve got an electronic set at my parents with a snare and Zildajn cymbals but really should get a good base drum and toms.
I played a set like that for 3 yrs. There ok for keeping the beat on small stages or to keep volume down. For song dynamics you need real drums.
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 4:19 pm
by Jbob
Before and after pictures are amazing.... What type of wood and what did you go over it with ? Wish my son was near, he could tinker with it a few mins and play you something I'm sure. Little chit is like his mom and can pick up anything and take off with it. 2 years teaching himself to play piano and he earns a full scholarship to WVU.... Me, I might be able to play Jim's Victrola and that's a big maybe.
Again, that's a beautiful instrument you have there.
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 1:16 pm
by steelbuttplate
Jbob wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 4:19 pm
Before and after pictures are amazing.... What type of wood and what did you go over it with ? Wish my son was near, he could tinker with it a few mins and play you something I'm sure. Little chit is like his mom and can pick up anything and take off with it. 2 years teaching himself to play piano and he earns a full scholarship to WVU.... Me, I might be able to play Jim's Victrola and that's a big maybe.
Again, that's a beautiful instrument you have there.
I cleaned it with Murphys oil soap and put Baileys cabinet creme on it. I think most are spruce top and flame maple on the back. It smells like cedar so I'm not sure. I remember reading a giant redwood that had been laying down dead 300 years was solid in the center and the wood used to make some very fine violins.
Re: Another Old fiddle
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 2:17 pm
by steelbuttplate
This was the first full size I restored, 3 more since then. The house was getting full of violins, so I put this one back on
Ebay. 9 bids, it was bought by the Great, great, great, great, grandson of the man that made it. His name is Pfretzschner also. I sent it of to Munich two days ago. A 100 year journey back to where it came from.