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Master Luthier JOS. HORNER Violin Germany (Karl Höfner) 4/4 - SUPERB! - $1,650 (Battery Park)
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Size: 4/4.
Model: KH200 (Guarnerius), “Conzert” series.
Proficiency level: Professional - Orchestra.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Play-ready.
Fittings: high-grade ebony fingerboard, pegs, tailpiece, and chinrest; Wittner tailgut and fine tuner; bridge - Aubert a Mirecourt, France.
Strings: brand new Thomastik-Infeld Dominant ($70 on Amazon).
Accessories: sold separately – please see ACCESSORY OPTION below.
Full-size professional grade violin signed by Master Luthier Josef Horner, made by him at Karl Höfner's custom shop (Meisterwerkstatten) in Bubenreuth, Germany in 1987.
The main label - which is hand signed by Josef Horner - reads (in translation from German):
This instrument was made
at the Master Workshop of Karl Höfner
by Jos Horner [hand signed]
Bubenreuth 1987 [hand signed]
Made in Western Germany
6-digit Karl Höfner serial number
The KH200, which is a copy of Guarneirus, was described in the catalogue of the time as a violin with "nicely flamed two-piece back, yellow-reddish varnish, artistic old shadings, imitation old."
The violin features beautiful tone wood and shows precise, expert workmanship. The two-piece back is strongly flamed, with narrow, regular stripes, which underscores the instrument's high model ranking. The tone is medium-warm and rich, with vivid brilliance typical of Höfner's best instruments. The violin is resonant and responsive and will reward the skilled player.
The instrument is in excellent vintage condition: defect-free structurally and with only minor traces from prior use cosmetically. There are no cracks, seam separations, or repairs.
After the 1990s, when Chinese factory-made supply inundated the market, fewer and fewer young people in Germany have pursued the luthier profession. As a result, high grade German made violins are increasingly scarce, and brand new instruments produced by luthiers and reputable workshops are outlandishly expensive. At this asking price, this Custom Shop violin made by a Master Luthier represents a great value.
ACCESSORY OPTION
Recognizing that many advanced players are particular about their bows and accessories and often already own them, I am offering this violin and accessories "a la carte" - you can pick what you need.
The listing price shown is for instrument-only. If you need accessories, please let me know - I will work with you to offer a set that meets your preferences. Shown in the images is an example of accessories that can be purchased alongside this violin at a large discount:
CASE: Crossrock CRF4020OVBK - brand new with tags. Deluxe anti-scratch carbon composite oblong “flight" model. Includes two backpack-style straps and dust cover. $185.
BOW: Pernambuco bow, brand new, unrosined. Beautifully sculpted and very well balanced. Features an ebony frog decorated with Parisian eye and full nickel-silver mount; mother of pearl slide; three-piece button with a m-o-p eye; natural white horsehair. $125.
SHOULDER REST: KUN shoulder rest, used in good condition. $20.
ROSIN: brand new black rosin in wooden tray - free.
Other accessory options are also available - please feel free to inquire.
KARL HOFNER VIOLINS
In 1990s, Karl Höfner produced violins in four main grade categories: Student; Orchestra; Concert; and Master. This violin is one of their Concert models. Concert violins were fully hand made by Höfner's top luthiers from the highest quality seasoned tone woods and targeted professional orchestra musicians and advanced students.
According to Karl Höfner's descriptions for distributors, its senior models - such as this one - were "made throughout of beautifully flamed and thoroughly seasoned wood... We only use best tone-wood, choice Bavarian spruce and European maple. The seasoning of the wood over years is standard. All trim is select ebony... Each instrument is carved from a solid block of wood and adjusted for best tone. The scroll and neck are hand-carved... Each instrument is meticulously crafted and graduated to ensure optimum performance. All instruments are finished with spirit varnish and hand rubbed..."
Vintage Höfners are sought-after instruments and command solid prices in the secondary market. You may wish to search the internet for price points. Please make sure you look for "KH" models (produced before approximately 1997). For example, Brobst Violin Shop often has a good selection of vintage Höfner violins. If you search their website for Karl Höfner (browsing by maker), you will see a good representation of prices by model. At the time of this writing, their prices for vintage Höfner violins range from $3,000-$5,000.
Please note that Höfner's senior models, which were hand made at their custom shop, should not be confused with the relatively inexpensive (but still excellent for their purpose) Student models that Höfner factory-produced in large quantities. Please also note that it is important to differentiate between the highly sought-after vintage Höfners (the model numbers start with "KH") and the contemporary Höfners which are, arguably, significantly less valuable (the model numbers start with "H", such as H225 GG for example).
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