Violin by John Davie, Perthshire, 1966
This violin has now sold.
About John Davie
John Davie was the leader and co-founder of the Perth Symphony Orchestra. He was also the co-founder of the Perth Youth Orchestra and was much respected in the area for his support of music education. Davie was an amateur fiddle maker and yet had a remarkable eye for model: the accuracy of the del Gesù outline in this violin is extremely impressive.
About the violin
This charming Scottish violin was made in 1966 and is modelled after the instruments of Guarneri del Gesù . Davie´s own violin was by the celebrated French violin maker, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume: I believe that this violin may well be a copy of Davie´s instrument as Vuillaume both owned and copied a number of del Gesù´s most important works.
The violin has a two piece maple back with pronounced flame which descends from the centre joint. The front is two pieces of straight-grained spruce and the varnish is amber in colour. The length of back of is 353 mm.
How does it sound?
The violin has a great sound: it is warm, big and powerful, a testament to Davie´s excellent ear for tone. The instrument plays beautifully as it speaks with ease and is even right across its range.
Condition
The violin is in excellent original condition and retains its original label.