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Vintage Karl Höfner Custom Shop Violin KH206, 4/4, Germany 1970s - $1,399 (Battery Park)
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Size: 4/4.
Proficiency Level: Professional – Orchestra.
Period made: circa the 1970s.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Structurally, defect free; cosmetically, there are minor traces of prior handling.
Fittings: high-grade ebony.
Strings: brand new Thomastik-Infeld Dominant set, made in Austria.
Stunningly beautiful violin made by one of Karl Höfner's Master luthiers at the firm's Custom Shop (Meisterwerkstatten) in Bubenreuth, Germany in the 1970s. "Konzert" series, model KH206 (relatively rare).
The KH206, which is a copy of Stradivarius, was described in the catalogue of the time as a violin with "nicely flamed one-piece back, well flamed neck, dark chestnut-brown, a good imitation of the old model."
This violin precisely matches the catalogue description. It impresses with its beautiful tone woods and exquisite workmanship. The one-piece back, ribs, and neck are strongly flamed and the top is tight-grained. The complex, multi-layer varnishing masterfully imitates the antique prototype. The violin was hand-finished and hand-rubbed by the maker to a mirror-like perfection. This instrument is a true piece of art!
This is a vintage instrument that is over 50 years old, however it is well preserved - defect-free structurally and very good cosmetically. There are no cracks or repairs. That said, like in any hand-varnished instrument, the surface is fragile and minor scratches and nicks in the varnish from prior use can be detected. Please review the images carefully.
The violin is equipped with brand new Dominant strings and is play-ready.
Accessory Option: Recognizing that many advanced players are very particular about their bows and accessories, I offer the violin and accessories "a la carte." The price shown is for violin-only. If you need accessories, I can offer several options at subsidized prices, alongside this violin purchase. Shown in the images is one such accessory option.
KARL HOFNER VIOLINS
In the 1960s, 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 players.
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 1995). For example, Brobst Violin Shop, a reputed fine violin dealer, 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 for the KH208 model to $5,000 for what appears to be a Master series model.
Höfner's senior models, which were hand made at their custom shop, should not be confused with the relatively inexpensive (but still decent for their purpose) Student models that Höfner factory-produced in large quantities. It is also important to differentiate between the highly sought-after vintage Höfners made in Germany (the model numbers start with "KH") and the contemporary Höfners which are no longer made in the same custom shop and, in my personal view, are less valuable (the model numbers start with "H", such as H225 GG for example).
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