This is a terribly ugly instrument that was donated to a local music store. The music store couldn’t find anyone to take it, for free. Perhaps it was that oh-so-attractive, sickly silver sparkly stuff that coated the instrument like a shroud. And the garbage accessories, horrible cattle fence strings, etc. They asked if I could do something ith it, maybe.

At first glance, I wanted to throw it in the dumpster. But then I looked harder. You can find potential in the strangest places, really.

Well. This Chinese violin that some maniac spray painted the color of a 2004 Chrysler had some surprises upon close examination. A violin is not junk because it is Chinese. The Chinese can make really excellent violins, actually, and I’ve seen plenty of crappy European ones. So, I looked hard at the instrument itself. First, I noticed it had real purfling, or inlaid wood, around its edge. That’s a plus. Then, I looked in the F hole and saw real maple in there, and the top plate was clearly tight-grained spruce. While I was looking in the F hole, I glanced at the bass bar. It seemed the more-or-less correct profile, height, and length. Trust me, not all inexpensive violins have these things.

A good violin must have good wood. This is not an option. With spruce and maple, you have the foundations.

Hey, it was free. So, I took it. It didn’t deserve to go in the trash.

Thus began a three week odyssey that isn’t over by any means.

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