Just in time for the upcoming fall school music instruction season - we are pleased to feature a superb handcrafted 1/2 size violin for the student violinist that has an appreciation for a high quality handmade vintage instrument made in Germany.
You are invited to purchase a superb vintage handcrafted 1/2 size trade violin labeled E. R. Pfretzschner, Mittenwald, West Germany from the year 1972. It is labeled as an Antonius Stradivarius hand made copy. This instrument also bears a Scherl & Roth, Inc. shop adjusted label dated 1973 indicating that this violin was constructed and shop adjusted to meet MENC (Musical Educators' National Conference) specifications. This violin has been fully repaired, updated and fully restored to playability. Included with the violin is a nice used modern-style hard-shell carrying case, a nice used Glasser bow and some rosin - making for a complete instrument package for the discerning student violinist.
This is an exceptionally well made 1/2 size handcrafted vintage violin - constructed of quality materials with close attention to details that significantly exceeds the general specifications of most mass produced student violins on the market today (see below for details). Its reduced overall size as compared to a full size 4/4 violin would be ideal for a young student violin player in the age bracket of 9 to 12 years or even for a petite sized teen-aged student or intermediate violinist who is in need of a better quality handmade instrument with which to develop his or her musical skills and talents.
We have completed a series of relatively minor repairs and restorative actions associated with this violin as detailed below. The violin has also been upgraded and modernized with new synthetic core metal strings, new Ebony endpin, refurbished Ebony chin rest and a refurbished Ebony tailpiece with built-in tuners making it ready to be played and enjoyed by its new owner. The tailpiece with built-in tuners for all four strings will be especially helpful to the student to keep the violin in perfect tune through both extended practice and also concert level playing sessions.
VIOLIN INTERNAL LABELS & REPAIR LABEL:
This violin bears the following pasted-in label found under the left f-hole (See accompanying composite image of the label):
"E. R. Pfretzschner
Mittenwald OBB
1972
Hand Made Copy Of
Antonius Stradivarius WEST GERMANY"
Note: OBB stands for "Ober Bayern Bavaria" which means the southern part of Bavaria, Germany as opposed to "Nieder Bayern Bavaria," which is the northern part.
This violin also bears the following pasted-in label found under the right f-hole (See accompanying composite image of this label):
"Roth Shop Adjusted 1/2
in Cleveland Ohio
This instrument R Scherl & Roth, Inc
Constructed and Model 301/C
Shop Adjusted to Date: 4/73
MENC Specifications
REG # 003511"
In addition, this violin bears a repair label and serial number from our workshop found inside the violin also under the left f-hole (See accompanying composite image):
"THE OLDE VIOLIN SHOPPE
HAMILTON, MONTANA USA
REPAIRED/RESTORED VIOLIN ANNO 2026
SN-07272026"
VIOLIN ORIGIN & DATE OF MANUFACTURE:
This violin was manufactured in the Bavarian town of Mittenwald in West Germany, which was the location of the E. R. Pfretzschner firm for the manufacture of violins and bows and other string instruments following WW-II. This instrument was manufactured for and marketed in the USA by the firm of Sherl & Roth, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio to the specifications of the Musical Educators' National Conference (MENC).
As indicated by the labels found inside this violin, this violin was manufactured in West Germany in the year 1972 and marketed to customers in the USA by Scherl & Roth in 1973.
IMAGES:
Several images of the restored violin are included with this listing. Click on the images for a larger view.
KEY PHYSICAL FEATURES:
* A warm, attractive brown spirit varnish over a golden ground.
* Very attractive two-piece Tiger Maple back with ribs of Maple to match the back (See images).
* Two piece Spruce top with a wider grain pattern at the edges with a somewhat tighter grain pattern close to the central seam (See close-up image of the top plate grain pattern).
* Top plate has a moderate arch.
* This instrument has the expert blocking of all 4 corners, a smoothly carved top plate interior and the installation of a properly sized and located glued-in bass bar - all signs of a very well made trade violin.
MEASUREMENTS:
* Length Overall (Loa): 20 1/2"
* Length of the body (LoB): 12 3/8"
* Rib Height: 1"
* Max Width of Upper Bout: 5 3/4"
* Avg. Width at Waist or C-Bout: 3 3/4"
* Max. Width of Lower Bout: 7"
NATURE OF REPAIRS & RESTORATION:
This antique violin was received by us in overall apparently good structural condition and in fair to good cosmetic condition. There were no cracks present in either the top or bottom plates. However, the existing fingerboard was in need of reconditioning to remove some obvious surface imperfections. Also, some of the wood of the top plate under the original tailpiece was eroded due to rubbing from the fine tuners. The violin was also in need of a set of new strings and a new tailpiece, as well as, a good cleaning and polish to restore its original finish.
We used a Wi-Fi endoscope camera to view the violin interior without the need to remove the top plate from the violin. We discovered that all 4 corners were very neatly blocked by the maker and that the inside of the top plate was very smoothly carved. In addition, we found that the bass bar was properly sized, located and glued into the underside of the top plate (See accompanying images of the violin interior). These internal features were excellent positive indications of a very well made trade violin by the very skilled workers associated with the E.R. Pfretzschner firm in Germany.
Following is a summary of the actions taken by us to repair and restore this violin to full playability (See accompanying composite image of the violin before and after restoration):
1. The surface of the original Ebony fingerboard was scraped and sanded smooth to remove any imperfections. The existing Ebony nut was retained.
2. At this time, the exterior surfaces of both the top and bottom plates as well as the ribs and scroll box were wet sanded with successive grades of sandpaper (600 followed by 1,000 git) thereby removing most age related surface imperfections. We also repaired the worn area under the original tailpiece. The violin exterior surfaces were then cleaned with denatured Alcohol. A coating of French Polish was then added to all exterior surfaces of the violin as a final cosmetic treatment. Note: Even with these actions, some minor cosmetic imperfections remain as would be expected from a used vintage violin.
3. At this time we added a new Ebony endpin onto the violin. In addition, we reconditioned the original Ebony Guarneri-style Chinrest and installed it on the violin.
4. We installed a refurbished Ebony tailpiece that included a set of new fine tuners for all 4 strings.
5. Finally, we completed the setup of the violin by properly fitting a reconditioned Aubert Maple bridge and installing a new set of synthetic core metal strings.
All of the aforementioned repairs have resulted in a completely restored and upgraded E.R. Pfretzschner trade violin. This violin as a very pleasing warm tone and a nice projection of sound for its size. Thus, this vintage instrument that could have easily been lost to time has been fully repaired, improved and reborn to live a second life in the present.
VIOLIN CASE, BOW & ROSIN:
Included with the restored trade violin is a very nice used internally felt-lined hard-shell carrying case with side carrying handle and dual clasp-type closures. Also included inside the case are dual racks for bows and dual hinged pockets for accessories. The case measures 26 1/2 inches long by 9 inches wide at its widest point and 4 inches deep (See accompanying images of this case). This case is suitable for safe shipping of the violin to its new owner and for ongoing use by the new owner for both storing and transporting the violin after it is received.
Also included with the violin and case, is a nice used Glasser bow in very good playable condition (See image of the Glasser imprint on the frog) and some used Ms brand No 151 Fine Austrian Rosin.
PURCHASE:
The Montana Logger is very pleased to offer this professionally upgraded and completely restored E. R. Pfretzschner 1/2 size trade violin with vintage hard-shell case, Glasser bow and Rosin for a very reasonable buy-it-now price. We will also entertain reasonable offers for this refurbished vintage handmade German-made violin that dates from 1972.
PAYMENT: Payment is due within 3 days of purchase. Prompt payment is always very much appreciated.
