Karl Hofner Old Master Series Violin Copy of Ruggieri KH191, 1/2, Germany 1970s

Description: Thank you for looking. To browse my entire collection of vintage and contemporary violins and bows, please click on my user name and then filter by Category. Karl Höfner KH191 (Great Master Series, Karl Höfner Custom Workshop)Size: 1/2. Origin: Bubenreuth, Germany, 1970s Proficiency Level: Advanced. Condition: excellent vintage condition. Fittings: high-grade ebony fingerboard, pegs, tailpiece, and chinrest; Wittner tailgut and fine tuner. Strings: Thomastik-Infeld Dominant. Bow: brand new Brazilwood bow. Case: like-new oblong professional style wood core case, with shoulder strap, keys, and violin blanket.This violin was made at Höfner's custom shop (Meisterwerkstatten) in Bubenreuth, Germany. The model is part of Karl Höfner's prestegious "Great Master" series which was inspired by famous old builders. As a fractional violin, this violin is quite rare. Violins of this model were expensive and full-size violins targeted professional musicians and advanced players. (Fractional violins are typically priced at only a minor - if any - discount to full-size violins of the same model, as making one takes just as much time.)The KH191 is described in the catalogue of that time as "Ruggieri, well flamed back and neck, varnished in amber color, beautifully shaded, highly polished, good ebony trimmings." The violin features beautiful tone woods and shows precise workmanship. The tone is medium-warm and rich. There are no cracks, repairs or any other structural defects. Traces of prior use are minor. In very good condition overall. The violin is outfitted with top quality ebony fittings. The strings are Thomastik-Infeld Dominants. Offered as outfit: comes with a high quality, unused oblong wood core case; brand new (unused, unrosined) bow; FOM shoulder rest; and wooden tray rosin. KARL HOFNER VIOLINS In the 1980s, Karl Höfner produced violins in four main grade categories: Student; Orchestra; Concert; and Master. This violin is their most senior Concert model. Concert violins were fully hand made by Höfner's best luthiers from select quality seasoned tone woods and targeted professional orchestra musicians and advanced students. According to Karl Höfner's descriptions for distributors, its senior models, such as this one, were "made throughout of beautifully flamed and thoroughly seasoned wood... We only use best tone-wood, choice Bavarian spruce and European maple. The seasoning of the wood over years is standard. All trim is select ebony... Each instrument is carved from a solid block of wood and adjusted for best tone. The scroll and neck are hand-carved... Each instrument is meticulously crafted and graduated to ensure optimum performance. All instruments are finished with spirit varnish and hand rubbed..."In terms of pricing, the KH191 model had a catalogue price approximately 1.2x greater than the price of their best selling Concert model, the KH200 (also made at their Custom Shop). Vintage Höfners are sought-after instruments and command solid prices in the secondary market. You may wish to search the internet for price points. Please make sure you look for "KH" models (produced before approximately 1995). For example, Brobst Violin Shop often has a good online selection of vintage Höfner violins. If you search their website for Karl Höfner (browsing by maker), you will see a good representation of prices by model. At the time of this writing, their prices for vintage Höfner violins range from $2,500 for the KH200 model to $5,000 for a KH332 model. Please note that Höfner's senior models, which were hand made at their custom shop, should not be confused with the relatively inexpensive (but still excellent for their purpose) Student models that Höfner has factory-produced in large quantities. It is important to differentiate between the highly sought-after vintage Höfners (the model numbers start with "KH") and the contemporary Höfners which are readily available from retailers (the model numbers start with "H", such as H225 GG for example). V64

Price: 850 USD

Location: New York, New York

End Time: 2024-12-23T16:24:34.000Z

Shipping Cost: 55 USD