Biographical info about Audinot

December 15, 2005 at 04:13 PM ·

I don't think you'll find much about him. He was born in 1842, died in about 1920, and worked for Sebastian Vuillaume, not J.B., I don't think, though J.B. is mentioned enough as his mentor that I'm not really sure--different books give different information on this point. His violins certainly have more in common with J.B.V., though.

He must have been pretty busy--the highest number I've seen one was close to #500. Most of his violins are del Gesu models, by about six to one, if my experience is representative, and the Strads are nothing to write home about.

The del Gesu model is extrememly consistent, and he's very easy to identify because of that, once you've seen a few, however there are also some violins made in the early 1900s (the latest nice Audinot I've seen has been dated in the late 1800s) that look alomst like an Audinot, including having the superficial odd characteristics of his work, but that definitely aren't Audinots. They're easily identifiable as a type, but I don't know where they're from--they have a Mirecourt look to them, though. Most of his del Gesu models are not antiqued, but the antiqued ones are extremely attractive.

They're also very good, once you've done some work to modernize them--until recently, their prices didn't justify most shops doing things like a new neckset and bassbar, which they really need to sound their best. Tonally, they're very consistent--loud, open, and clear, but with a definite old-violin sound, when they've been properly modernized and well setup. The original neckset--which is typical of all French violins of the period--is a serious liability, so if that hasn't been re-done, an Audinot isn't at its best.

He's my favorite French maker, and I've owned a mess of them--they're the only old violins I've worked to find and collect, as investments (I'm a maker, not an old violin dealer). I don't know where you are, but if you want to see one, I have three, including one in pieces, in my shop right now, which is encouraging to me because I hear they're asking record-breaking prices for them in NYC right now. :-) In the fifteen or so years I've been watching them, they appear to have almost doubled in price!

I once saw one that had been sold as a Rocca, for 5X Audinot price, and another that "had been" a Vuillaume, so they definitely can carry their own weight. They're really not all that common in the overall quantity of French violins of that period, and don't come on the market often, and in my opinion they also lack the common traits that people refer to when they disparagingly say that a violin sounds "French" .

Here's a picture of an antiqued Audinot:

http://www.darntonviolins.com/images2/Audinot.jpg

December 16, 2005 at 12:47 AM · Thank you so much for this information! It is more than I've been able to find through much searching. You definitely are far more familiar with Audinot's work than I am thus far, and I very much appreciate what you have to say.

I have really only seen and heard one Audinot, but it has been enough to get me interested. The violin I know about has a big, rich tone, and it is beautiful to look at, as well. The back (one piece) and sides are of matching wood---a very unique sort of whorled (definitely NOT birds-eye) maple (I think) that I have never seen on any other violin.

It is good to know that I am not alone in admiring Audinot's work, and I do hope sometime to get to see more of his violins. The next time I am in Chicago, I may well contact you, Mr. Darnton, to see whether I could visit your workshop so that I could see more of Audinot's violins. (I live in Indiana.)

In the meantime, I thank you again for the information you have given.

December 16, 2005 at 12:44 AM ·

The one that's apart in my shop has the type of wood you're describing, I think. Do come visit if you're in town.