Re: Question about corner blocks

I understand, but have not seen, fine old violins with long corners
and no corner blocks.  Generally the violins I've seen without corner
blocks have been the lower levels of trade violins.  One would think
that no corner blocks would generally be the mark of a violin built in
an outside mold, rather than around an inside mold.  

A violin with only lower blocks visible suggests an attempt to give
the appearance of higher quality.  Sometimes these lower blocks are
simply slabs of wood rather than true blocks.

If the violin sounds nice and you like it I wouldn't worry about it at
all.

Steve


On Sat, 29 Nov 2003 20:13:59 GMT, sax therapy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

>Is the absence of corner block ever an indication of a cheap violin? I've
>heard that sometimes the early makers would make violins with no upper
>corner blocks or even with no corner blocks at all. I have a very old violin
>that is beautifully carved with choice maple, a fine grained spruce top that
>has been graduated, stakes in the back, evidence of professional repairs,
>etc. and yet there are no upper corner blocks. Could someone illuminate me
>on this subject.
>
>TIA -Saul