Violin by Matthew Fenge, Ankara, 2016
About Matthew Fenge
Matthew graduated from the violin making and restoration course at the Leeds College of Music and then went on to start a successful business making and restoring violins in Yorkshire. In 2013, he moved the business to Ankara, Turkey, where it continues to thrive. Matt has a brilliant eye for instruments and an extensive knowledge of historical makers, meaning that his own instruments are always extremely well-observed copies of antique instruments.
About the Testore family
This violin is modelled after the instruments of the Testore family. This violin making dynasty lived and worked in Milan during the last part of the 17th century and first half of the 18th century. Famously called 'cheapskates' by W.E.Hill and Sons due to their quick workmanship and often forgoing niceties such as the fluting on the scroll and purfling, their priorities lay with their instruments´ tone.
About the violin
This violin is a loose copy of a Testore and is a lot of fun to play! The two piece front is of book-matched spruce and the back is two pieces of unfigured maple. The varnish is golden brown in colour, laid over a golden ground. True to the instruments which inspired this violin, it is purfled on the front only.
The violin has a length of back of 357mm.
How does it sound?
A big sound and a big personality, with this violin Matt has really captured the character of the Testore family! This quality means that the violin would be an excellent match for a player who intends to move on to an Italian instrument in time. It would equally suit anyone searching for a characterful, enjoyable `forever´ violin.
Condition
The violin is in original mint condition.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this contemporary violin by Matthew Fenge for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.