Hopf Violin any ideas?

Subject: Hopf Violin any ideas?
From: olddude
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 01:47 PM

Well I been wanting to start out on a fiddle forever, know less than nothing about them. My buddie just gave me one he found in an old estate sale. It is old old old ... stamped Hopf on the back under the neck and inside is a handwritten name that I can't read .. like John or something ... Anyone know anything about them. Looks like someone did some restoration on it in the past ... very old fiddle, I want to try and learn how to abuse a fiddle like I already do to a banjo, guitar, and harmonic ... LOL

He gave me a wood bow with it stamped something or other

Dan

Subject: RE: Hopf Violin any ideas?
From: s&r
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 01:59 PM

Hopf is a good name, but there are lots of violins stamped Hopf that aren't Hopf. 'Fake' instuments are common in the violin world: the name seems to mean 'made in the style of' and is something like describing guitars as ' Les Paul' copies or Strats.

The bow could be a valuable one. Take them to your local violin shop.
Some of the old fiddles play well even if they are copies. If it's worth it have it set up and decent strings fitted.

Good luck

Stu

Subject: RE: Hopf Violin any ideas?
From: olddude
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 02:02 PM

Thanks Stu,
just found a website that had all kinds of info about it, sounds like it will make a good starter fiddle if it doesn't take too much to setup.

Thanks again
Dan

Subject: RE: Hopf Violin any ideas?
From: olddude
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 02:09 PM

Oh the bow is an old wooden glasser bow ... don't know about them either except they are still making em ... should be good enough to get me started ...

thanks
Dan