RESTORED G A PFRETZSCHNER 4/4 VIOLIN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY W/CASE - CIRCA 1930 For Sale
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RESTORED G A PFRETZSCHNER 4/4 VIOLIN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY W/CASE - CIRCA 1930:
$749.00
Payment | ShippingRESTORED G A PFRETZSCHNER 4/4 VIOLIN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY W/CASE - CIRCA 1930RESTORED G.A. PFRETZSCHNER 4/4 VIOLIN MADE IN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY WITH HARD-SHELL CASE - CIRCA 1930
You are invited to purchase a superb vintage handcrafted 4/4 (full size) violin labeled G.A. Pfretzschner, Markneukirchen, Germany dating from circa-1930. This violin is also billed as an instrument constructed after the pattern of Antonius Stradivarius as stated on its internal label. This instrument has been repaired, updated and fully restored to playability. Included with the violin is a nice used Roth modern-style hard-shell carrying case.
This is an exceptionally well made 4/4 size violin - constructed of aged tone woods and provided with new quality accessories along with close attention to details that exceeds the general specifications of most mass produced violins on the market today (see below for details). Its higher than average level of violin craftsmanship translates to superior tone and projection to be found in a vintage instrument from Germany.
We have completed a series of relatively minor repairs and restorative actions associated with this violin as detailed below. The violin has also been upgraded and modernized with new synthetic core metal strings, new Maple bridge, new Ebony endpin, new Ebony Guarneri-style chinrest, and a new Ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners making it ready to be played and enjoyed by its new owner. The new tailpiece with fine tuners for all four strings will be especially helpful to keep the violin in perfect tune.VIOLIN INTERNAL LABEL & REPAIR LABEL:
This violin bears the following pasted-in label found under the left f-hole (see composite image):
\"G.A PFRETZSCHNER, MARKNEUKIRCHEN Nach Antonius Straduarius Cremonae Faciebat Anno 1716\"
Note 1: The term \"nach\" in German means \"after\" or \"in accord with\" in English.
Note 2: Stradivarius is misspelled in the label as \"Straduarius.\"
In addition, this violin bears a repair label and serial number from our workshop found inside the violin also under the left f-hole (See accompanying composite image):
\"THE OLDE VIOLIN SHOPPE HAMILTON, MONTANA USA REPAIRED/RESTORED VIOLIN ANNO 2026 SN-07242026\"
VIOLIN ORIGIN & ESTIMATED DATE OF MANUFACTURE:
This violin was manufactured in Markneukirchen Germany, which was the location of the G. A. Pfretzschner firm for the manufacture of violins and bows and other string instruments since the year 1834.
Note: Please see below for a brief history of the G.A. Pfretzschner Company.
Based in part on the type of wood used in its construction, its internal labeling, along with the effort it took to restore it to full playability, we estimate its date of manufacture as circa 1930.
IMAGES:
Several images of the restored violin are included with this listing. Click on the images for a larger view.KEY PHYSICAL FEATURES:
* A warm, attractive Walnut brown spirit varnish over a golden ground.
* Very attractive two-piece Tiger Maple back with ribs of Maple to match the back (See images).
* Two piece Spruce top with a wider grain pattern at the edges with a tighter grain pattern towards the central seam (See accompanying close-up image of the lower bout showing the grain pattern).
* Top plate has a moderate arch.
* The pre-restored violin interior featured the blocking of the lower two rib corners by the original maker, a smoothly carved top plate interior and the installation of a properly sized and located glued-in bass bar - all signs of a very well made violin in harmony with the well known reputation of high quality instruments produced in Germany by the G. A Pfretzschner firm.MEASUREMENTS:
* Length Overall (Loa): 23 1/2\"* Length of the body (LoB): 14 1/8\"* Rib Height: 1 1/8\"* Max Width of Upper Bout: 6 1/4\"* Avg. Width at Waist or C-Bout: 4 1/4\"* Max. Width of Lower Bout: 8\"
NATURE OF REPAIRS & RESTORATION:
This vintage violin was received by us in overall apparently good structural condition and fair to good cosmetic condition (See images of the violin before and after restoration). There were two previously repaired cracks present in the lower bout of the top plate that needed to be checked for current stability. The violin was missing its original nut and saddle and the existing fingerboard was in need of reconditioning to remove some surface imperfections. The violin was also in need of a new Maple bridge, a new chinrest, a new set of modern strings and a new tailpiece, as well as, a good cleaning and polish to restore its original finish.
Following is a summary of the actions taken by us to repair and restore this vintage German violin to full playability:
1. We removed the top plate from the violin body in order to verify that the existing cracks in the lower bout had been properly addressed. It was found that these cracks had been glued and properly stabilized with internal cleats in the past (See accompanying images of the top plate interior). At the same time we were able to clean, glue and cleat a newly developed crack in the center of the upper bout. Now all cracks in the top plate have been properly addressed.
2. After removing the top plate from the violin, we discovered that the lower 2 rib corners were very neatly blocked by the original maker and that the inside of the top plate was very smoothly carved. In addition, we found that the bass bar was properly sized, located and glued into the underside of the top plate. These internal features were excellent indications of a very well made violin by the very skilled workers at the G. A. Pfretzschner Company.
3. We added new blocking to the upper 2 rib corners so that now all 4 rib corners are properly blocked (See accompanying image of the rib blocking).
4. While working on the new rib blocking we discovered that the ribs in the area of the lower block were loose from the bottom plate. We cleaned this area of old glue residue and re-glued the ribs to the bottom plate.
5. After work on the interior of the violin was completed, we added our shop label to the interior of the bottom plate and restored the top plate to the violin using Hide Glue.
6.The surface of the original Ebony fingerboard was scraped and sanded smooth. We also fitted a new Ebony nut to the violin and established grooves for the strings in concert with accepted design standards.
7. At this time, the exterior surfaces of both the top and bottom plates as well as the ribs and scroll box were wet sanded with successive grades of sandpaper (600 followed by 1,000 git) thereby removing most age related surface imperfections. The surfaces were then cleaned and a coating of French Polish was then added to all exterior surfaces of the violin as a final cosmetic treatment.
8. At this time we added a new Ebony saddle and new Ebony endpin to the violin. In addition, we installed a newEbony Guarneri-style chinrest to the violin.
9. We added a new Ebony tailpiece that included fine tuners for all 4 strings.
10. Finally, we completed the setup of the violin by properly fitting a new Teller of Germany Maple bridge and installing a new set of Pirastro Chromcor strings.
All of the aforementioned repairs have resulted in a completely restored and upgraded G. A. Pfretzschner violin. This violin now as a very pleasing bright, sweet and clear voice. It particularly shines in the higher register and has a good projection of sound worthy of the concert hall. Thus, this vintage instrument that could have easily been lost to time has been fully repaired, improved and reborn to live a second life in the present.
VIOLIN CASE:
Included with this restored violin is a very nice used Roth internally felt-lined hard-shell carrying case with side carrying handle and dual locking clasp-type closures. Note: The key to the locking clasps is missing. Also included inside the case are dual racks for bows (No bows included) and a hinged pocket for accessories (No accessories included). The case measures 31 inches long by 10 inches wide at its widest point and 4 1/2 inches deep (See accompanying images of this case). This case is in very good to excellent structural and cosmetic condition. It is suitable for safe shipping of the violin to its new owner and for ongoing use by the new owner for both storing and transporting the violin after it is received.
ABOUT THE G.A. PFRETZSCHNER COMPANY:
The G. A Pfretzschner Company was founded by Carl Gustav Adolf Pfretzschner in Markneukirchen, Saxony, Germany in 1834. At age 29, Carl Gustav started this new business by trading musical instruments and accessories that he acquired from the Vogtland region of Germany. His first born son, Gustav Adolf, continued the growth of the company by establishing important business contacts in Gothenburg, Paris, London, Tokyo and New York, ultimately making the company one of the \"big players\" in the music industry worldwide. The Pfretzschner family soon became well known dealers and producers of fine-quality German bows, violins and other string instruments along with their accessories.
The firm produced its first printed catalogue of stringed instruments in the year 1928 indicating in that publication that the company was a complete one-stop source for violins, violas, cellos, double basses and their accessories along with a whole array of basic tools for luthiers. The catalogue was produced in both German and English, which was quite unusual for the time. The company especially offered a large assortment of violins patterned after Stradivarius, Guarnerius, Amati, Gegliano, Ruggeri, Maggini, Klotz, Caspar da Salo, Bergonzi and others. They also became a central source for string instrument bows by Vuillaume, Bausch, Tubbs, Dodd, Tourte, Nurnberger along with high quality bows bearing their own trade name.
PURCHASE:
The Montana Logger is very pleased to offer this professionally upgraded and completely restored G. A. Pfretzschner 4/4 violin along with a vintage Roth hard-shell case for a very reasonable buy-it-now price. We will also entertain reasonable offers for this refurbished vintage German-made violin that dates from circa 1930.
PAYMENT: Payment is due within 3 days of purchase. Prompt payment is always very much appreciated. PaymentBack to Top
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