Violins at R. Kim Tipper & Associates Fine Violins

Violins over $50,000	Click on the image for more detailed photos
Angelus Soliani, Modena, 1807 Instruments by Angelo Soliani (1752–1810) are comparatively rare, though well regarded. This example of interesting and beautiful wood shows some skillful restorations done in the Hill Shop circa 1967. It is a wonderful violin to play and is sold with a certificate from W.E. Hill & Sons
Violins $20,000 to $50,000
Unlabeled Italian Violin, circa 1875 ~ SOLD ~ The energy of the edgework and richly coloured varnish give this violin much character and appeal. It is made of native Italian wood with some visible worm damage, extensive wear from playing, and much good restoration. It has all the openess one hopes for in an older violin and a strong expressive tone.
J.H. Schult, 1928 ~ SOLD ~ Branded “JH SCHULT Hof-Geigenbauermstr. 19 Lubeck 28” Born in 1866, J.H. Schult was appointed maker to the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg in 1907 and won prizes for his instruments at Turin and Schwerin. This violin was made in 1928, a time when he was likely being assisted by his son, Ernst Friedrich. It is a substantially built instrument of which the makers could be rightly proud in every way. It has been thoroughly restored in our shop and is in excellent condition.
Marengo Romanus Rinaldi, Turin, 1898 ~ SOLD ~ A fine playing instrument from a maker of the Pressenda school.
Violins $10,000 to $20,000
Tetsuo Matsuda fecit Chicago Anno 1989 Tetsuo Matsuda is one of the most respected violin makers working in the United States. Born in Japan, he trained in Italy before moving to Chicago in 1983. This violin was made in 1989 when he was still working for the W.H. Lee Co. of Chicago and is of his own personal design. It is notable for not having the antiqued varnish seen on so many of Matsuda’s instruments. It comes to us from the original owner and is in excellent condition except for minor wear and scratches. The sound is particularly dark for a relatively young instrument. See www.matsudaviolin.com.
George Craske, England circa 1870 The estate of George Craske was bought by the W.E. Hill shop of London who restored numerous Craske instruments and gave them their own label which reads: “made by George Craske (born 1795, died 1888) and sold by William E. Hill & Sons, London.” This is one of those instruments and bears the Hill registration number B145 on the end of the fingerboard. The back is of two pieces of particularly pretty wood and the instrument is covered in a shaded dark red varnish that is well preserved. A restoration has just been completed in our shop.
Ch. J. B. Collin-Mezin, Paris, 1893 This is a particularly striking violin by the celebrated French maker and comes from his mature period. The figure of the maple is particularly attractive and highlighted by a transparent golden varnish. The tone of this violin is quite loud and penetrating in keeping with the maker’s reputation. The condition is very good and there are only a few minor cracks which have been well repaired. The Hill registration number “W512” is seen on the end of the fingerboard.
George Craske, a composite English violin Only the front of this violin is by George Craske, circa 1860. Apparently the rest of the instrument was made to fit the front by an English shop and their registration number of 9974 can be seen on the end of the fingerboard. The sides, back and neck show a lighter coloured ground layer than the front and look newer with deliberate antiquing The sides are higher and the margins narrower than what one expects on a Craske and the interior workmanship is better as well. This is a fine playing instrument with a particularly smooth, dark and loud voice.
George Craske, England 1847 George Craske lived from 1795 to 1888 and worked much of the later part of his life in complete seclusion. In his early years he was a student of William Forster. William Henley describes him as the most productive maker working alone in the history of violin making. This instrument bears a facsimile Panormo label inside, but on the wood of the front under the fingerboard is hidden the maker's signature “George Craske, fecit 1847”. This instrument is in Craske’s typical personal style and possesses a complex and rich sound. It shows the evidence of much playing and has been extensively restored in our shop.
Gregory T. Walke, Paisley, Ontario, 2008 Canadian maker Gregory Walke and his wife Sibylle Ruppert have been established in their shop in Paisley Ontario since 1988. This instrument is new from the maker and is typical of his work, with a one piece maple back and covered in rich brown varnish. Gregory’s instruments are well regarded for their full, open sound and easy response.
Unlabeled English violin by Peter Wamsley, early 18th C ~ SOLD ~ Branded “Wamsley, 204 STRAND” below button of back. Peter Wamsley (worked in London circa 1715–1751) trained Joseph Hill, patriarch of the famous Hill family. This violin came to us with the evidence of centuries of playing and many different repairs and resorations. The back is in excellent condition, though the button was replaced long ago. The middle bouts of the treble side have the initials 'W.R.' scratched into them. The front shows a small amount of worm damage and a number of repaired cracks, though the sound post area is quite healthy. The sound of this violin is lovely, even and transparent.
Geoffrey Ovington, New York, 2009 ~ SOLD ~ Geoffrey Ovington continues to explore ways his instruments can delight the player. This instrument is light in the hand with an easy response and a particularly full dark sound, surprising in a new instrument. See www.ovingtonviolins.com.
R. Kim Tipper, Saskatoon, 1994 # 12 ~ SOLD ~ A rare violin from this Canadian maker. Modeled after Guarneri del Gesu and made of spruce and maple from British Columbia. Dark orange/red varnish, fancy fittings. Initialed, stamped and labeled by maker. Full, charming sound.
Guy Harrison, Ottawa, 2006 ~ SOLD ~ Australian-born Guy Harrison trained at the Newark School of Violin Making. He has won awards internationally and is among the best makers working in Canada today. We are proud to offer for sale this instrument which was made in a French style and covered in a rich red-brown varnish. It is in new condition with a full open sound. See www.guyharrison.com.
John Newton, Toronto, 1986 ~ SOLD ~ John Newton is a well known and active Canadian maker who apprenticed with Otto Erdesz almost 30 years ago. This instrument has been played very little and is in excellent conditon with a rich brown varnish showing some original shading and antiquing by the maker.
Violins $5,000 to $10,000
J.C. Ficker Markneukirchen, circa 1760 This lovely old German violin has seen much playing and good restoration during its long life. The one piece back is very sound as are the sides. The front has a number of good crack repairs and the scroll is nicely grafted to a new neck. The model is broad with moderately full archings of front and back and wide channels at the edges. The sound sets it quite apart from new instruments in the same price range.
John Juzek, Violinmaker in Prague, No: 256, Yr: 1939, Master art, Copy of Strad. “Made in Czechoslovakia” Although this violin is from a commercial production shop it is fairly well made of beautiful wood and has a very open and rich sound. It has been restored and setup in our shop and all work is unconditionally guaranteed. There is a repaired crack at treble side of saddle; otherwise it is in very good condition.
John Smith, Winnipeg, 1938 John Smith was born 1859 in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Scotland, and immigrated to Winnipeg circa 1919 where he became one of the most important makers in western Canada. Like our other Smith violin this instrument shows beautiful wood, though it is clear the maker was feeling his age. Nonetheless it is just as pleasant an instrument to play. It comes to us from the original owner and is in excellent condition.
Old Tyrolean violin Old violin with an indistinct label dated 1730, handwritten in German or Austrian. This violin has just undergone a complete restoration including the re-setting of the neck. The neck and string length are slightly smaller than modern convention.
John Smith, Winnipeg, 1936 John Smith was born 1859 in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Scotland, and immigrated to Winnipeg circa 1919 were he became one of the most important makers in western Canada. Very productive, he was known for the beautiful wood he used, his rustic personal style and rich brown varnish. Died 1941. This violin is in very good condition with a clear sweet tone and a particularly beautiful one piece back.
John Newton, Fecit Toronto 1986 ~ SOLD ~ John Newton is a Canadian violin maker who trained in Toronto with Otto Erdész in the late 1970’s. This violin comes to us after 20 years in Calgary and required the repair of one small crack in the front and retouching of the varnish. It is an easy violin to play and has aquired a rich complex sound, popular with players from its first arrival. The attractive dark brown varnish was slightly antiqued by the maker and now has acquired some honest wear with time.
Anton Volkmann, Schonbach (Stadt), Bohmen, No. 181 vorm. 294 ~ SOLD ~ This lovely Bohemian instrument circa 1900 shows tidy workmanship and appealing carving. The sides of this lightly built violin are fairly low and the neck particularly slender, making it a special instrument for a smaller player. A recent complete restoration in our shop comes with our guarantee.
Otto Migge, Eastbourne 1902 ~ SOLD ~ This German born violin maker moved to England in the late 1890’s and was established at Eastbourne circa 1900. He wrote a treatise on Cremonese varnish and produced good looking and well made violins. William Henley writes favourably of his work though he observes that it does not look Cremonese. This is an attractive instrument with minimal repairs. It is robust, open and beautiful to play.
Ernst Heinrich Roth, Markneukirchen, 1929 ~ SOLD ~ Ernst Heinrich Roth is one of the most respected names in German violin making. This exquisite example comes from the best period in that firm’s history and is accompanied by the original certificate of authenticity. The label indicates that it is built on a Stradivari pattern of 1714. The wood and the workmanship are without defect and the instrument has never been opened nor needed repair. Only the fittings have been replaced and there are a modest number of scratches from playing. See www.roth-violins.de.
C. S. Hartwell, Lewiston, Maine, No. 12, 1904 ~ SOLD ~ An interesting well made Guarneri copy violin by a little known American maker in very good condition. One repaired crack by the treble sound hole. This violin resembles the work of Nathan S. Taylor also of Lewiston, Maine, 1841-1923.
Sibylle Ruppert, Paisley, Ontario, 2006 ~ SOLD ~ A fine playing instrument. It has a very open sound and a beautiful complex tone.
Violins under $5,000
Jan Karon, Houston, Texas, 1994 A beautiful old Ruggeri copy violin completely restored by Jan Karon, a respected maker and restorer in Houston, Texas.
Sig Hoibakke, Victoria, B.C., 1975 This interesting violin by local maker and repairer Sigisvald Hoibakke comes to us completely unplayed from the estate of one of the maker’s friends. It still bears the maker’s original bridge and a mottled example of his varnish experiments which has hardened with age. This may be one of the last instruments Sig completed as his obiturary is dated 1975. It is made of European wood of fine quality and is without crack or flaw. There is much decorative ivory as is common with this maker’s instruments. This violin is easy and enjoyable to play with a good clear tone.
Jacob Foley, Newark, 2011 Originally from Ontario, Jacob Foley has recently completed his training at the Newark School of Violin Making in England. This is his third instrument, completed while he was in school, and shows promising workmanship and excellent materials. The E string is particularly smooth for a new instrument while the lower register is developing fullness.
Copy of Antonius Stradivarius, Made in Czecho-Slowakia circa 1930 This violin is made of attractive wood and is in quite good condition with only some minor repairs to the front. The back is in one piece and the spruce of the front is particularly fine. This is a very good student violin and has been carefully setup to play easily and beautifully.
Louis Lowendall, Berlin, 1907 The Lowendall shop produced dependable, well made instruments in many price ranges. This example from 1907 has attractive wood and the varnish is lightly antiqued. Besides the label there is a large Lowendall signature on the wood of the back. There is a long repaired crack in the front below the treble sound hole.
Petko Stoinov, Kazanlak, 2010 ~ SOLD ~ This is our second violin from Petko Zlatev Stoinov of Kazanlak, Bulgaria. It is patterned after the ex-Kochanski Guarneri del Gesù violin of 1741 which until recently was the concert instrument of Aaron Rosand. This violin has richer colours, is slightly antiqued and shows as much promise as the previous instrument. It is also made of local Balkan wood and varnished with the method described by the late David Rubio. See www.violinstoinov.com.
Galen Hartley, Montreal, 2011 ~ SOLD ~ This is Galen Hartley’s second violin and the first he has completed since moving to Montreal. Like his first instrument it is made of native B.C. sitka spruce and big-leaf maple and produces a rich open tone as one would expect from a mature instrument. The workmanship is improved over Galen’s first instrument and the archings are particularly successful. The dark red/brown varnish has been shaded and slightly antiqued by the maker.
Collin-Mezin, Mirecourt, 1948 ~ SOLD ~ Labeled “CH. J.B. Collin-Mezin, 1948 Luthier 30 extra, Grand Prix — Exposition Universelle, Made in France PARIS N.63” After 1945 the shop of Collin-Mezin produced violins with increasingly exaggerated archings and this is a fine example of this. The front rises abruptly at the sound holes and is fairly flat in the bridge area producing a particularly easy response. This violin comes to us in excellent condition with no cracks or repairs evident, few marks on the edges and the original pegs and bridge. The varnish has been somewhat stained by years of dirt, but otherwise is in excellent condition.
Galen Hartley, Victoria BC 2010, No. 01 ~ SOLD ~ Galen Hartley is a promising young Victoria-born luthier and one of our associates. We are proud to offer his first instrument for sale. It is made of local sitka spruce and big-leaf maple. It is an appealing instrument to play with a warm sound and bodes well for the future. The sound holes are particularly attractive.
Hugo Willner, Victoria, B.C., 1944 ~ SOLD ~ Another interesting violin by Hugo Willner, a local Victoria maker and repairer of note. This violin comes to us from the estate of the original owner who played it in the Victoria Symphony circa 1945–1953 and the Edmonton Symphony 1958–1959. Although it has the same date as our last Willner violin it is a much darker colour and has a richer sound. It has never needed repair and is in excellent condition.
Valentinus De Zorzi, Cenetensi Venetum fecit, Pistorii, A.1882 ~ SOLD ~ Maker unknown (country uncertain) This older violin is made of very fine and beautiful materials and shows some features of excellent workmanship. While the experts do not agree that this violin was made by De Zorzi it is still a very fine playing instrument with a smooth and beautiful sound and one of the finest scrolls in our collection.
Thomas Hulinzky, fecit Pragae, Anno 1770 ~ SOLD ~ This older Czech instrument has a number of well repaired cracks in the front and back and a replacement neck. It is quite lightly built with very low sides and has a dark open sound. The repairs to the body were recently re-done in our shop and are completely guaranteed.
John B. Wells, Violin Maker, Westbank, British Columbia, Fecit anno 2000 ~ SOLD ~ John Wells is a cellist in the Okanagan symphony and an active instrument maker. This is a good example of his work made of local maple and spruce. The flame of the maple back and sides is particularly attractive. It is a good sounding violin that has not had any serious repairs, though the varnish has been extensively retouched. The tone is well balanced and clear.
Sig. Hoibakke, Victoria, 1958/61 ~ SOLD ~ A typical and good sounding violin by Sig. Hoibakke, a self-taught violin maker and machinist who came to Victoria from Norway after World War II. He was an important maker in our area in the 1950’s and this violin is one of his later productions. According to a family member who is still the original owner, the date of 1958/61 on the label indicates that he made it in 1958 and re-varnished it in 1961.
Sig. Hoibakke, Victoria, 1967 ~ SOLD ~ An example of this local maker’s work from his later period. It is in like-new condition from the original owner, who played in the Victoria Youth Symphony circa 1968. Typical ivory decoration and a more personal style of arching and edgework.
Violins in 7/8 size
Paul Knorr, Markneukirchen, 1955 This is an excellent small instrument of beautiful wood, rich varnish and good workmanship. The body is substantial for a 7/8 size violin and has recently been setup with an increased neck angle and a new bridge. The sound is full and beautiful with a particularly surprising G string. Inside the instrument is the “P*K” brand which was applied to the maker’s best work. td>
Wolff Bros. ~ SOLD ~ “Violin Manufacturers, No. 432 1888, made abroad” A charming little violin with a sweet sound in near perfect condition.
Violins in 3/4 size
Nicolas Duchene, A La Ville De Padoue, Mirecourt circa 1890 This small violin from the Jerome Thibouville-Lamy shop of Mirecourt is well made of choice materials and covered in a rich dark red varnish. The one piece back is particularly striking. In excellent condition, two very small cracks near the saddle have been attended to and these are the only repairs evident. The tone of this violin is quite dark for a small instrument.
Violins in 1/2 size
Longman & Co., 26 Cheapside, LONDON 1770 ~ SOLD ~ The finest sounding small violin we have ever had in our shop. The front is much repaired, the sides, back and original transition-era neck are very sound. This instrument also retains its original bass bar and boxwood pegs. A gem to play upon.