CHAPTER III
TYPES OF STANDARD VIOLIN TONE
In order to distinguish the types of tone which, at various periods, have been looked upon as Standard—that is to say, representing an ideal of perfection, and at all times have had adherents,—I set out below five types that may be said to represent the five great groups of tone. Violins embraced by any one of these groups will vary in the perfection with which they present the type according to the tone-developing skill of the maker; according to his ideals of perfection, and according to the condition of the instrument. It is unlikely that two makers, engaged upon the development of the same tone-type, would succeed in copying each other exactly. Individuality would be sure to assert itself in tone as it does in handicraft. As to this individuality, it is somewhat difficult to describe, but may be said to be a sort of uniform peculiarity noticeable in the tone of all violins produced by a certain luthier.
Amatisé.—Sweet, sympathetic, and more or less lacking in power. Found in the violins of the numerous Amati family, Jacob Stainer, those of Antonio Stradivari prior to 1667 and his smaller instruments made after that year, and in the violins of the followers of these makers. Plentiful.
| Length of body | 13¾ | to | 137/8 | inches |
| Width across lower bouts | 713/16 | to | 715/16 | inches |
| Width across upper bouts | 6¼ | to | 63/8 | inches |
| Arching elevated. | ||||
Bergonzian.—Virile, powerful, partaking of the qualities of Stradivari and Joseph Guarnerius del Gesù to some extent. Rare.
| Length of body | 137/8 | to 14 inches |
| Width across upper bouts | 69/16 | inches |
| Width across lower bouts | 83/16 | inches |
| Arching flat to medium. | ||
Brescian.—Dark, sombre, “brilliantly melancholy.” Any violin possessing a tone sombre in character is said to be Brescian, frequently without much regard to other characteristics. Found in the violins of G. P. Maggini, and da Salò, which are rare, and in less perfection in a number of instruments by other makers, both ancient and modern.
| (Maggini) | Length of body | 149/16 | inches |
| Width across lower bouts | 89/16 | inches | |
| Width across upper bouts | 614/16 | inches |
“Cremonese.”—Not a type, but a generic term, used to designate the general superiority of tone produced by violin makers of Cremona, prior to about 1775,[B] over instruments produced in other centres.