HAND MADE 7/8 VIOLIN CHAS. BUTHOD, FRANCE 1920/1930's.

G., B. & J. Ray

Fine violins

2525 East Douglas Avenue

Wichita, KS 67211

tel: (316) 684-0291

Email wbic@wichitaband.com

A good 7/8 size French violin from the Jerome Thibouville-Lamy workshop in Mirecourt, circa 1935, bearing the labels “Charles Buthod / Luthier” and

“Jerome Thibouville-Lamy & Cie.  / Luthiers / 68 bis a 72 Rue Reaumur / Paris“. 

The bridge is stamped “Colin G. Nicholls”. 

The back is of two pieces of Vosges maple of medium figure, the table of narrow grained spruce, widening slightly to the edges.  The varnish is of a red-orange color on a golden base. 

Back length is 348 mm.  Weight, without chin-rest, is 414 grams.

No cracks or damage to the wood, some varnish scratches under the bridge.  The instrument has come to us in otherwise pristine original condition. 

Bridge and set-up has been done by Colin G. Nicholls (London).

The Jalovec “Encyclopedia of Violin Makers” has only a short report on the maker:

”...Born 1810 in Mirecourt, died 1889. He was employed for some years by J. B. Vuillaume in Paris, but then switched over to wholesale production of violins in Mirecourt, as a partner in the firm Husson, Buthod et Thibouville..."

The Henley “Universal Dicitionary of Violin and Bow Makers” contains a little more information:

“…Born at Mirecourt 1810. Worked with Vuillaume for several years at Paris.  Set up large premises at Mirecourt and engaged several assistants.... Subsequently became Director of the Thibouville-Lamy firm. Died 1889.  Three grades of strongly constructed violins---Stradivarian modelling---red, golden-yellow and light brown shades of oil varnish, frequently applied in the Vuillaume method."  

The "Dictionnaire Universel des Luthiers" of Rene Vannes also contains a short report:

“…Ne a Mirecourt en 1810, mort dans la meme ville en 1889. D'apres son etiquette, il fut eleve de J.B. Vuillaume pour qui il construisit plus tard quelques violin portant l'etiquette du maitre de Paris. Entra dans l'atelier de Husson avec qui il s'associa et fonda la firme : Husson, Buthod et Thibouville, devenue aujour-d'hui la maison Thibouville-Lamy et Paris.  Lutherie courante..."

This particular instrument shows high quality workmanship that’s found on the better quality Mirecourt "workshop" violins.  

It's important to understand, however, that it's not a pre-1889 instrument.  In our opinion, it's one of the better 1920's / 1930's violins from the Thibouville-Lamy workshop in Mirecourt.

Tone color is bright and typically "old French".

It's a little unusual for us to have a high-quality 7/8 size instrument in our collection, but we surely give this one high recommendations, both for quality of sound and for superb workmanship. 

The bottom line is that we give this one a high recommendation, without any reservations.

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Those considering the acquisition of an artist-quality violin might be interested in our opinion concerning value and pricing.

The value of any violin depends, in our opinion, on many different factors:

a)     Condition of the instrument.   Any violin that’s sustained damage to the top and especially to the back, will be worth a small fraction of an instrument in pristine condition.

b)     Cheaper violins have not had the attention given to the proper voicing of the top and backs of the instruments.  Many of today’s “better” violins have tops that are often 5 or 6 mm thick.  Instruments that have the best sound are those that have tops and backs that have been hand-carved by the maker to “Stradivarius dimensions”:  about 2.5 mm under the bridge, a bit thinner toward the edges and 3 or 3.2 mm where the top and back is glued to the ribs.  Proper voicing is time-consuming, but results in a violin that has the finest tone quality.

c)     The actual maker of the instrument is, arguably, the most important factor in determining value.  Please remember that 99.99% of the “Stradivarius” violins in the world wear labels that are false.   There are NO “unknown” violins by Stradivarius, Guarnerius, Maggini, Amati, or Stainer.   There ARE a few quality German and French violins that bear these labels and also those of the maker. 

Our violin is a good example of the instruments emanating from this good pre WWII French workshop.  Over the years, we’ve had a number similar instruments in our collection and are pleased to give them our highest recommendation.  The workmanship is always superb, the tone-color bright and clear and the prices are always reasonable.

To ensure the absolute maximum in tone-color and playability, this particular instrument was sent for set-up to our English associate, master luthier and expert, Colin G. Nicholls whose bridge it now wears.   It is also sold with the certificate of authenticity from Mr. Nicholls.

We have no hesitation in recommending this fine instrument to any particular amateur or semi-professional musician.

Gary, Beryl and Jonathan Ray are the principals of a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA.  In business since 1953, we’ve had the same owner since 1963.  

Our specialty is better-quality French violins of the first half of the 20^th. century. We’re very particular about items we acquire for our clients and give special consideration to violins that have sustained no damage or serious repairs.

It’s sometimes possible to buy a good instrument on Ebay for a lower price, but unless it has had proper set-up, you won’t know how it plays until you spend another several hundred to have it put in top condition.  With a violin from OUR shop, you know it’s in the finest condition when it arrives at your home!

We maintain a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially “free” and part of our warranty for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953!

Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect no sales tax unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight and insurance charges on returned equipment.

International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 3 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument “on approval” for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways on any returned item.

VISA/MASTERCARD/DISCOVER/PAYPAL ACCEPTED. Credit cards not accepted from some countries and we must ship to the credit card billing address with exceptions made at our discretion.

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