Please give me some information about my violins.

May 17, 2020, 9:23 AM · I bought a violin at a Japanese auction, but the label seems to be different from the original one. The label says KARL HOFNER in big font. (BUBENREUTH NEAR ERLANGEN GERMANY) and 41830, which looks like a serial number.
On the side of the sound post, the KH and the violin-shaped stamp say No.660.
Does anyone know about this model?

And I bought an ornati 1937 model from a German auction. incredibly cheap It's 1937 model, but if there's no pin in the back, is it a fake?

Replies (8)

Xuanyuan Liu

Edited: May 17, 2020, 2:08 PM · Fittings such as pins don’t indicate originality. They can and will be replaced at one point on older violins. Either for sound or because they are broken. At least that is what the luthiers say.

A quick google search reveals that Karl Hofner seems to be a mass produced brand.

Cotton Mather

May 17, 2020, 5:28 PM · Take photos of the whole instrument and ask on maestronet.com, if you want more valuable opinions.

Xuanyuan Liu

Edited: May 18, 2020, 12:54 AM · Even better, take it to a luthier. After the outbreak of course...

Andrew Hsieh

May 18, 2020, 2:00 AM · Karl Hofner violins were apparently quite popular in Asia before violin factories started opening in China. I've seen a number of them. They've all belonged to either someone who purchased the violin somewhere in Asia in the 1950s or 1960s, or someone whose parent or grandparent did.

Michael Darnton

May 18, 2020, 7:34 AM · An Ornati "model" violin wouldn't be an Ornati, so your question must be is it an accurate copy of an Ornati. That's very doubtful.

Kevin Joo

May 19, 2020, 7:42 AM · Thank you all for the information.
Ornati could be canceled, so I canceled it. Ha ha.
I should be satisfied with the violin I have now.

J Ray

May 19, 2020, 12:04 PM · I like the treble clef in Ornati's signature.

https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/cozio-carteggio/ornati-and-garimberti-part-2/

His instruments also look nice :)

Kevin Joo

May 20, 2020, 6:53 AM · Yeah, that's right. And I heard his signature was hard to copy. XD