The old Italian violins have been so closely copied by many makers, with regard to model, wood, varnish and appearance of age, that it is difficult to discriminate between the genuine and the spurious. It is still more difficult when the copy possesses a fine quality of tone. It needs a practised, keen eye to determine the genuineness or spuriousness of an instrument, and it may well be that many, believing themselves to have bought a real old Italian instrument, have only obtained an imitation thereof. The inside ticket has of itself been closely copied, and may be purchased in sheets.
Constituent parts of the violin.
Exterior.
The most important part is the upper table or belly (a). The other parts are the ribs or sides (b), the back (c), the neck (d), the head comprising the scroll and peg box (e), the pegs (f), the finger board (g), the bridge (h), the tailpiece (i), the button[3] (k), the nut (l), and the f or sound-holes (m). The interior of the violin contains the soundpost and the bass bar.
Interior.
Function of the Soundpost
and the bass bar.
The soundpost, placed underneath the right foot of the bridge (a little way behind it) supports the upper table against the pressure of the strings upon the bridge, and the bass bar serves a similar purpose under the left foot of the bridge. The sound post, by connecting the upper table with the back, sets the entire instrument into vibration, and by its help the sound waves radiate to all parts.