Husband on the Fiddle
Malc can never go into a second-hand shop or a charity shop without seeing what is there connected to music in some way. Vinyl records, or musical instruments, anything really.
One time he was rummaging around a second-hand shop whilst we were away on a summer holiday somewhere in the UK and out of all the old ‘junk’ that was in the shop he found an old-looking fiddle. So, of course, he picked it up.
It didn’t look to be in bad shape, but did look old. It was about a tenner (£10.00) so he bought it. It had no
When he had a closer look at it later that day, he noticed a label inside, visible through one of the f-holes. And this is what it read:
‘Cremona Facibat 1690.’ And above that the word Stradivarius (the ‘v’ looked more like a ‘u’)
Maybe, just maybe, he had picked up a real bargain. 🙂
When we got home he decided to do two things. He would do some research to determine if it was a genuine ’Strad’ and he would set about adding a tailpiece, bridge, and strings. After all, it was overall of good construction, and thought that at least it would be a usable instrument. Malc plays the ‘cello so he figured that this violin ought to at least make a decent sound.
The best way to create an authentic-looking bridge (a modern shop-bought bridge was going to look completely out of place on an instrument as old as this) was to make one. So, Malc bought another ‘cello bridge. Much bigger, and has enough of the right wood to make a violin bridge. Part of his initial bridge research was to look at Stradivarius bridge design. The original ones resembled a man with a roll of carpet under each arm. He traced that shape from a book and fashioned a very authentic bridge using small files and other fine-tooth tools, plenty of sanding, and a good deal of care. The finished item looked spot-on.
He also managed to find in a second-hand music shop, an old tailpiece, not one with wire to hook onto the tail button but the old waxed red string type. Very authentic! So, after finding some half-decent strings the whole thing, after a light clean-up, was assembled and looked very nice.
The research into the instrument ran parallel with the restoration project, and the more research he did – the less it looked as if he had found the real thing – a genuine Stradivarius violin. 🙁
Oh yes, Cremona was indeed where Stradivarius produced his ‘Long Strad’ in 1690. But dimensions taken from Malc’s ‘Strad’ just didn’t fit well against what they should be. A millimetre or two out in the length, not quite the correct dimension across the lower bout, not correct across the upper bout… and the same for pretty much every other measurement he took.
But, well you know, the apprentice might have made this one! So Malc decided to let the experts take a look… just in case. So off to London Malc went with our young daughter along for company to Christie’s Auction House, in St James.
Well, it was a nice day out for the two of them but a very short visit. After waiting in the foyer for the valuation appointment he had made with the instrument specialist, the young lady who looked at the violin took about 30 seconds to come straight to the point.
“It’s not a Stradivarius.” She said “But it's a nice violin, one of a number that was made to replicate the 'long Strad' made in 1690. Probably French-made and worth, maybe, a couple of hundred pounds.
Oh, well. Not the real thing, then. 🙁
Bearing in mind, this all took place the best part of 40 years ago, I guess it would now, based on the ‘double in value every ten years’ idea, worth a couple of grand or so? Who knows?
When Malc and our daughter were next at the music school Malc asked our daughter’s then, violin teacher – a very accomplished young violinist - to take it for a ’test drive.’ He did and Malc (and the teacher) commented that it really did sound very beautiful in a good player’s hands. But still not a ‘Strad.’
Disappointed? Maybe a little. But still very pleased to have such a lovely instrument for our daughter to ‘grow into.’ She was at this stage playing a ¾ sized violin. Well, that was not to be, because she then decided that the violin was not for her, and after all that she wanted to learn flute! To be fair, she did take to the flute very quickly and became a decent flautist. Malc was always a string player, guitar and 'cello and so he had hoped our daughter would be too. But that was not going to be the case.
Malc played in a string quartet at the music school as well as the small orchestra and so when another student, an older chap, saw the violin he was keen to buy it for his grandson, who was about to start playing. Malc sold it to him cheaply - for about half the Christie’s value, but at least it would be played and looked after.
Every individual person in this world, created by the Master Maker, is of infinite value and none are fakes or cheap copies. The Bible says of each one of us:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:13,14)
In God’s estimation we are of great value – more than can be imagined:
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him (God) who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4-7)
So, don’t fret if others do not value you. Or even if you do not think of yourself as having any value. The thing to remember is that God made you, and He values you very highly. And importantly, He will not give you up cheaply. You are precious in His sight.
So precious, that He gave up His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to purchase us back to Himself.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16)