Gibson made fiddles?

[mandy lynne]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38108&item=3735639538&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Is this for real? I have never heard of a Gibson fiddle before. Do they sound good?

[Jim M.]

Gibson did make fiddles for a short period but I can't vouch for the authenticity of this particular one. They were factory-made (not necessarily a bad thing back then). My understanding is that they started building them in 1937 but you see most of them dated 1941. I haven't seen anything about how many were built. Some say they were built to make up for the shortage of European fiddles available during WWII, but I haven't seen that verified. As to how they sound, I haven't played one but I've heard mixed reactions from several owners. Some think they have a very fine fiddle and some think they have a pretty mediocre one, which probably reflects a lack of consistency because they were mass produced. It might be worth the money to a collector, but I wouldn't want to spend much for it if I couldn't play it first.

I forgot to add that Gibson made (or probably contracted with another builder to make) Virzi violins in the late '20s. Also, Gruhn has a Gibson fiddle for sale now at $1000.

[craigtoo]

I have a 1939 Gibson in pristine condition. Real pleased with the response of this instrument.
It is a few mm shorter in body length than an "standard" full size but the scale length remains the same. So the top is driven a little faster and those short fiddle notes come out quite clean.

Choice of woods was great too!

What's interesting to note is that the maker was probably not a violin builder, or at least had no "formal" training (Newark, Cremona, Mittenwald) but rather a very talented instrument maker.. perhaps mandos, or guitars... there are just some things that are not "refined" in the piece, as far as "looks" are concerned. But the work is certainly professional and from hand.

If you would like to see some pics, lemmieno and I'l put a few up..!

craig

[craigtoo]

Hmmm after looking at those ebay pics....

I would say that Jim M. could be spot on about the consistency here. My fiddle looks nothing like that in form, F holes are different, purfling is different...even the labels are different...plus, plus, plus ... obviously a different maker. Interesting... I wonder if there was a Mr. Loar for fiddles?

no sig's in mine,

craig

[phynie]

I would love to see pictures!

[f5loar]

Gibson imported Cechoz. violin family instruments in the raw state and finsihed them in Kalamazoo in the late 30's to early 40's. I have a nice Gibson bass violin in natural blonde finish complete with Kluson bass keys.
Nice 3 piece slimline neck.

[Jim Garber]

I have a Gibson fiddle from around the same time. Mine seems to be built a little on the heavty side, not all that responsive. For some reason all the ones I have seen seem to use slab maple backs instead of flamed quarter sawn.

I didn't know they were imported. I always assumed that Gibson retooled to make them. It makes sense tho.

Jim

[Pete Martin]

I have played several and all were heavily built and not very responsive. Of course before you buy any instrument, play it for a while to see if you like it. Just because I didn't like something means you may love it.:)

[Tom C]

"They were factory-made (not necessarily a bad thing back then)."
<span style='color:forestgreen'>Weren't Loars also?</span>

[craigtoo]

Ok...I'll put some pics up next week! I'll be traveling starting tomorrow.

craig