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In tip top condition we'd expect a Viennese
instrument by Johannes Georgius Thir to fetch around about 35-40K
(K=£1000-00). Just listen to the world class players in the
Vienna Philharmonic orchestra bass section playing on their master-Viennese
instruments - and you'll understand just how exceptional the tonal
qualities of these instruments are. So - if we said that you could
own one of these fine sounding and rare instruments for about one
third of the price of a nice example - we feel pretty sure that
you'll agree that such an offer could be considered a bargain.
Well - we're offering the instrument
at this price because it is far from being in an origional or mint
state. The origional varnish has been removed and replaced, the
pegbox is most probably later and the ribs have suffered some quite
crude patching work. In addition it is possible that some of the
ribs have been overlain with a veneer and two of the ribs may date
from a later period.
Yes that's right - it really is quite
difficult to determine exactly what has happed to this instrument
during the course of its life.
We're quite sure about the crucial parts
of the instrument - the front and the back (which are in a
very good structural condition overall) and internally the barring,
stud work, linings and blocks. It is of our opinion and that of
our restorer - Roger Dawson - that these do fit in quite
accurately with the Thir attribution and are consistent the circa
1762 age attribution.
Yes there are:
- The back of the peg-box is rounded
- The instrument has a thickly (4mm) cut purfilling
on the table. The back is not purfilled.
- Internally there are two upper braces a central
brace and a lower brace.
- The spruce for the table shows a grain of irregular
growth. The quarter-sawn timber shows various knots and branch
markings which suggest that it was selected more for its tonal
qualities than for its visual qualities.
- The F-holes have nicks very much in the Amati
style.
A smallish instrument bearing a label and attributed
to "Johannes Georgius Thir, fecit Viennae, Annon 1762".
OK - structurally certain aspects of the instrument have seen
better days, but then this is very much reflected in the price.
What you need to do with this instrument is focus your attention
on the deep-dark -rich quality of sound that this instrument emits.
It's a sound that would normally cost you in the region of
40K to buy. This surely is a fantastic bargain.
Width at the upper bout 19.0in (48.3cm)
Width at the centre bout 14.15in (35.8cm)
Width at the lower bout 24.25in (61.5cm)
LOB 43.75in (111.0cm)
St length 43.0in (109.3cm).
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