RESTORED ROBERT A. DOLLING 4/4 VIOLIN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY W/CASE - CIRCA 1920 For Sale
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RESTORED ROBERT A. DOLLING 4/4 VIOLIN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY W/CASE - CIRCA 1920:
$1876.00
Payment | ShippingRESTORED ROBERT A. DOLLING 4/4 VIOLIN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY W/CASE - CIRCA 1920RESTORED ROBERT A. DOLLING 4/4 VIOLIN MADE IN MARKNEUKIRCHEN GERMANY WITH CASE - CIRCA 1920
You are invited to purchase a superb vintage handcrafted 4/4 (full size) violin labeled Robert A. Dolling, Markneukirchen, Germany dating from circa-1920. This violin is also billed as an Antonius Stradivarius copy as stated on its internal label. This instrument has been repaired, updated and fully restored to playability. Included with the violin is a used modern-style soft internally padded carrying case that will be protective of the violin for safe shipping to its new owner.
This is an exceptionally well made 4/4 size violin - constructed of aged European tone woods and provided with new quality accessories along with close attention to detail 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 saddle, new Ebony Guarneri-style chinrest, new Ebony tailpiece, new Spruce soundpost, and a set of new modern Wittner geared pegs in the pegbox thereby restoring the violin to a state of full playability.VIOLIN INTERNAL LABEL & REPAIR LABEL:
This violin bears the following pasted-in label found under the left f-hole (see composite image):
\"Robert A. Dolling Markneukirchen MADE IN GERMANY Copie ofAntonius Stradivarius\"
Note: The label also includes the maker\'s trade mark consisting of the letters R and D enclosed within a circle found on the right side of the label.
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-09252026\"
VIOLIN ORIGIN & ESTIMATED DATE OF MANUFACTURE:
This violin was manufactured in Markneukirchen Germany, which was the location of the Robert A. Dolling workshop for the manufacture of violins.
Note: Please see below for a brief history of the Robert A. Dolling workshop.
Based in part on the type of aged 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 1920.
IMAGES:
Several images of the restored violin are included with this listing. Please click on the images for a larger view.KEY PHYSICAL FEATURES:
* A warm, attractive medium amber brown oil varnish over a golden ground.
* Very attractive two-piece Tiger Maple back with ribs of Maple to match the back (See images). The back also features brown pin marks on both the top and bottom of the two-piece back.
* Scroll and neck are original and consist of flamed Maple.
* Two piece top of vertical grain Spruce 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 expert blocking of all four of the 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 Dolling family workshop.MEASUREMENTS:
* Length Overall (Loa): 23 1/4\"* Length of the body (LoB): 14\"* Rib Height: 1 1/4\"* Max Width of Upper Bout: 6 5/8\"* Avg. Width at Waist or C-Bout: 4 1/2\"* Max. Width of Lower Bout: 8 3/16\"
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 saddle, bridge, tailpiece, chinrest, soundpost, pegs and strings. Thus, the violin was in need of replacement accessories, along with a new set of strings and pegs, 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 properly glued, but were not stabilized internally with cleats. So we added new cleats to fully stabilize these cracks and to prevent their reopening in the future (See accompanying image of the top plate interior showing the new cleats). 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 all four of the rib corners were very neatly blocked by the original maker and that the inside of the top plate was very smoothly carved (See accompanying images that show these features). In addition, we found that the existing 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 Dolling workshop.
3.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.
4. We fitted and installed a new Ebony saddle to the violin using Hide Glue.
5.The surface of the original Ebony fingerboard was planed and sanded in order to achieve a proper profile and smoothness.
6. At this time, all exterior surfaces of the violin were cleaned of residual dirt and grime using Shar Professional Luthier cleaner and polish. And the violin was given a nice polish to restore its original luster.
7. At this time we added a new Ebony saddle and we installed a newEbony Guarneri-style chinrest to the violin. We also added anew Ebony tailpiece to the violin.
8.The pegbox was fitted with Wittner Finetune geared Pegs (Made in Germany).These geared pegs eliminate the need for fine tuners on the tailpiece as they are permanently set within the pegbox and have an 8:1 gear ratio, making for very precise tuning. Only the central knurled spool segment of the peg rotates so peg slippage is prevented. So once the Wittner pegs are set, they are not designed to be removed from the pegbox. These geared pegs are also unaffected by temperature and humidity changes.
NOTE: Conventional wood peg slippage is a big problem with most violins, something that a player definitely does not want to happen in the middle of a concert solo in front of a large audience. Wittner geared pegs totally eliminate peg slippage so one can play the violin even with vigor without worry.
9. Finally, we completed the setup of the violin by properly fitting and installing a new Teller of Germany Maple bridge, installing a new set of Pirastro Chromcor strings and fitting and installing a new Spruce soundpost.
All of the aforementioned repairs have resulted in a completely restored and upgraded Robert A. Dolling 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 used internally padded soft carrying case with side carrying handle and dual zipper closures. However, the original zippers are missing from the case, but a Velcrow closure under the handle is present that keeps the case closed when the violin is stored inside. 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 5 inches deep (See accompanying images of this case). This case is deemed suitable for safe shipping the violin to its new owner. However, it is not suitable for future safe storage and transport of the violin after it is received. Thus, the new owner of the violin will likely elect to purchase a new carrying case for the violin in order to provide for safe transport and storage of the instrument after it is received.
ABOUT THE ROBERT A. DOLLING VIOLIN WORKSHOP:
Robert A. Dolling was a German violin maker who came from a large family of violin and bow makers who were located in an around Markneukirchen, a small town in Saxony near the border with Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). The town of Markneukirchen was known for over four centuries for producing high quality musical instruments. The Dolling family dynasty of violin and bow makers included Georg Louis Dolling, Heinrich August Dolling, Heinrich Gustav Dolling, Herman Moritz Dolling I, Herman Dolling II, Louis Dolling Jr., Max Dolling, Otto Gustav Dolling, Robert A. Dolling and others - all who lived and made violins in and near Markneukirchen in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Violins produced by members of this family are generally known for their superior built quality and attention to detail. PURCHASE:
The Montana Logger is very pleased to offer this professionally upgraded and completely restored Robert A. Dolling 4/4 violin along with a used shipping 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 1920.
PAYMENT: Payment is due within 3 days of purchase. Prompt payment is always very much appreciated. PaymentBack to Top
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