This violin is very well-toned, speaking with ease, focus and projection. It is in impeccable condition, after some 100 years. It's most striking feature is the attractive one-piece back of really beautiful maple - signature to the top range of the JTL firm's output. It bears an undated generic label: 'JTL, Géronimo Barnabetti'. JTL instruments bearing this label were of their top range and were always noted for their good tone and physical appeal - really nice workmanship and good choice of materials.

During the early 19th century, the family of Thibouville-Lamy established a large studio in Mirecourt, and for many years they set the French standard for high-quality trade instruments. Known as Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy Pty Ltd, the company was commonly referred to as 'JTL'. Many important French violinmakers at some point either worked for this company, or served on its directorship. In 1908 they were joined by Hugues-Emile Blondelet, initiating their zenith period between the years of 1908 and 1928, the year of Blondelet's death. Instruments from that era (as this violin probably is) are greatly respected, not only for the excellent materials used in their production, but also for the fine workmanship displayed in the majority of their output. I have not yet seen a JTL instrument that was not appealing to the eye - the backs usually are very attractive and the varnish pleasing.

This violin is as good as you get with JTL. Apart from the beautiful one-piece back of excellent well-flamed maple, the sides are also nicely flamed and the top of good tone spruce. This is in keeping with the use of good materials that is a hallmark of JTL. Lastly, the violin is varnished in an attractive amber-brown oil-based varnish.

After some 100 years, this violin has matured well. It would be a worthy acquisition for an ambitious and deserving violinist.

Dimensions :
	Length of back: 36.0 cm

Condition :
	This violin is in impeccable condition, free from cracks or repairs. The ebony pegs are new and the violin has new Tomastik Dominant strings on it. A repaired crack in the upper left quadrant of the back is virtually invisible and doesn.t affect this violin's structural integrity in any way.

Provenance :
	Withheld

Price :

On request