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Ifshin Rare & Fine Instruments

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Morgan Andersen

sku Product SKU:  ANDERSEN-VLN

Check out our article on this important maker.The bow pictured here is one of the fine silver-mounted bows we have available.

Morgan won top prize for his violin bow in the prestigious instrument and bow making competition in Paris: The 2011 "Concours  de Lutherie Etienne Vatelot".

USD 0.0000

Carl Becker Sr.

sku Product SKU:  22265

Carl Becker may well be considered the finest American violin maker of the 20th century and certainly the best American born maker of all time.

Born in 1887, he was the son of a famous violinist and teacher. His grandfather was Herman Macklet, a pioneer American violin maker. Carl studied violin with his father but decided early on to become a maker, inspired by trips with his father to his luthier William Lane. He made his first violin at age 14 and after high school worked with the famous maker John Hornsteiner. He spent much of his career with William Lewis & Sons in downtown Chicago, one of the most important violin shops in the world. He remained there for 44 years before opening his own violin shop with his son, Carl F. Becker.

The Becker dynasty is now in its fourth generation, perhaps one of the most important violin making families in America and perhaps the world. In March of 1954 a testimonial concert was given in recognition of his achievements as a master luthier with performances by the Fine Arts Quartet and principal players of the Chicago Symphony. Important soloists and professional musicians own Becker instruments and in many cases prefer them to their fine old Italian masterpieces. He was also renowned for his masterful restorations of fine old master instruments often from the great soloists of the time who would visit him when they were performing in Chicago.

This beautiful cello was made in Carl's 34th year with no assistance and may be one of the finest of the 63 cellos he made. It is gorgeous and suitable for a top soloist. With a big, powerful tone and layers of color, it's a lot of fun to play. Tonally, it's one of the finest cellos we have ever had.

 

USD 0.0000

Robert Morrow *SOLD*
22138

One of the top American bowmakers today, Robert Morrow has also been a respected judge at bowmaking competitions, including the VSA. He trained with Charles Espey before setting up on his own in Port Townsend, WA. In 2008 he received the title "hors concours" at the VSA for his numerous gold medals. His work is always as elegant as it is functional, and this violin bow is no exception. Strong and vibrant, it is capable of drawing a huge tone from the instrument.

Lucie Martinie
21571

Bowmaking for Lucie is the natural culmination of growing up in her father's cabinet making workshop in Corréze and her early love of music, including the accordion, flute, and viola. She studied bowmaking at the National School of Lutherie in Mirecourt, France from 2009 to 2012. After graduation she worked for the renowned Yannick Le Canu before establishing her own shop in 2016. Most recently at the 2018 Violin Society of America competition, she was awarded gold medal for her viola bow, in a very competitive field. This violin bow effortlessly produces a crisp spiccatto and smooth legato. It is an excellent modern French bow offered at a good price.

Morgan Andersen
ANDERSEN-VLN

Check out our article on this important maker.The bow pictured here is one of the fine silver-mounted bows we have available.

Morgan won top prize for his violin bow in the prestigious instrument and bow making competition in Paris: The 2011 "Concours  de Lutherie Etienne Vatelot".

Douglas Raguse
22055

One of the best American bowmakers, Raguse has made over 1100 bows. He studied with Lloyd Liu and Bill Salchow before setting up on his own in Chicago, and later in Michigan. He has won a dozen awards at various competitions, including gold medal at the VSA in 1980. This bow is a fine example of Raguse's work.

Eugene Sartory *SOLD*
22382

Generally considered the finest bow maker of the first half of the twentieth century, the works of Eugene Sartory are always in great demand. We are happy to offer this excellent Sartory viola bow which has superb playing qualities.

Charles Bazin
22368

Charles Bazin (1907-1987) was the final member of the Bazin bow-making dynasty which spanned four generations. This cello bow is an exceptionally fine example of this maker’s work.

Eric Gagne
22155

One of the exciting young bow makers, Gagne began his studies with Blaise Emmelin before working with Pierre Guillaume in Brussels, Belgium. He has won numerous awards for his work, most recently in 2016 at the VSA for a viola and cello bow. This excellent example is gold mounted.

Bernard Ouchard *SOLD*
21851

Bernard studied with his father, the great E.A.Ouchard and in 1949 went to Geneva, working for the next 21 years with Vidoudez. These bows are stamped VIDOUDEZ Geneva but are Ouchard’s exceptional work. In 1971 he returned to Mirecourt and taught bow making at the violin making school.

David Samuels
22168

Born in Chicago, David Samuels moved to Israel where he worked with Amnon Weinstein. He then worked with Etienne Vatelot and Stéphane Thomachot in France and with Jacques Français in New York. He has since become one of the most important bow makers working today, His bows are in demand by musicians and collectors all over the world and has won 7 gold medals at VSA competitions. We are pleased to offer three of his wonderful violin bows including two with his distinctive design of four overlapping silver rings on the frog.

François Lotte
21904

François Lotte trained in the Bazin workshop and then worked for Cuniot-Hury before going on his own in 1926. His workshop included R.Bernard, M.Lapierre, M.Mangenot along with his son Roger.

William Bartruff 16" *SOLD*
21578

Bill Bartruff has been a violin maker since 1972 and has always specialized in violas. Over the years we’ve offered several of his fine instruments.

Gottfried Raabs 16 ½" *SOLD*
21078

Raabs was one of the most important violin makers of his generation and his workshop is still in operation by the family today.

Mario Frosali *SOLD*
22205

Mario Frosali was born in Legnano and worked as a violin maker in Florence starting in 1932. He came to New York working at the Emil Herrmann shop along with Simone Sacconi. In Los Angeles he worked for Wurlitzer, opening his own shop in 1954. He became one of the most respected makers on the West Coast, not just in Los Angeles but here in the Bay Area as well.

Riccardo Bergonzi
22105

Riccardo Bergonzi was only twelve when he started making violins. He graduated from the Cremona violin making school in 1979 with highest honors having worked with Stefano Conia among others, He has been working continuously in his own workshop for over thirty years and has won numerous awards and medals for his exceptionally fine work. We’ve sold a number of his fine instruments over the years and are especially happy to offer this exceptionally fine violin.

Alfio Batelli *SOLD*
22018

After training with de Zorzi in Florence, Batelli set up his own shop there. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1947 stopping briefly in Chicago then on to Los Angeles to work with Hans Weisshaar for 13 years. Many of the best makers on the West Coast got excellent training there. This exceptional violin is one of the finest violins by Batelli we’ve seen.

Wilhelm Kapfhammer
21804

After graduating from the Mittenwald violin making school, Kapfhammer came to the U.S., teaching at the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City. There he trained some of the most important contemporary makers. The tone of this violin is brilliant, responsive with easy playability

H. Emile Blondelet
21946

Blondelet began his career with the Thibouville-Lamy firm at age 15. He became a highly regarded maker and was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1923. The tone is warm,full and rich.

Carl Becker Sr.
22265

Carl Becker may well be considered the finest American violin maker of the 20th century and certainly the best American born maker of all time.

Born in 1887, he was the son of a famous violinist and teacher. His grandfather was Herman Macklet, a pioneer American violin maker. Carl studied violin with his father but decided early on to become a maker, inspired by trips with his father to his luthier William Lane. He made his first violin at age 14 and after high school worked with the famous maker John Hornsteiner. He spent much of his career with William Lewis & Sons in downtown Chicago, one of the most important violin shops in the world. He remained there for 44 years before opening his own violin shop with his son, Carl F. Becker.

The Becker dynasty is now in its fourth generation, perhaps one of the most important violin making families in America and perhaps the world. In March of 1954 a testimonial concert was given in recognition of his achievements as a master luthier with performances by the Fine Arts Quartet and principal players of the Chicago Symphony. Important soloists and professional musicians own Becker instruments and in many cases prefer them to their fine old Italian masterpieces. He was also renowned for his masterful restorations of fine old master instruments often from the great soloists of the time who would visit him when they were performing in Chicago.

This beautiful cello was made in Carl's 34th year with no assistance and may be one of the finest of the 63 cellos he made. It is gorgeous and suitable for a top soloist. With a big, powerful tone and layers of color, it's a lot of fun to play. Tonally, it's one of the finest cellos we have ever had.