243 Year Old Violin and it's amazing story

Master Violinmaker and restorer Olaf Grawert meets up with an old friend, from 1778 from Vienna. Beethoven played one, Mozart was in Vienna while this famous maker was working just 800 Metres from his home. Watch Olaf as her services this beautiful violin and tells of its history.
Sebastian Dallinger violin
Be fully informed when you buy your next instrument. Get Olaf's free 7 essentials when buying an instrument report here: olafgrawertvio...
00:00 Intro
00:38 Meet my old friend....
01:36 Unpacking the violin
02:19 Day 1 - checking over everything
05:09 Gluing patch and fingerboard
06:22 Day 2 - giving instrument and good clean
08:23 Day 3 - Time to polish
08:54 Day 4 - History of the Dallinger...
11:15 Finish polishing
11:46 Putting strings on
12:36 Trying it out...
14:20 Your violin's story...
15:42 Conclusion
#myviolinmaker, #olafgrawertviolin #violin
Website:
www.olafgrawer...
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[@charleslaine]

What an awesome violin. The history is fascinating. I think it was made about 8 years before Beethoven was born.

[@GaryGP40]

Beethoven was born in 1770, so he was 7~8 years old when this violin was born.

[@ruthwang4005]

I had a feeling when I read the title that it would be a Sebastian Dalinger violin. He made my violin too, in 1779!

[@txsphere]

I am beginning to think Olaf got lonely after all those years of working alone and vlogging has was better than talking to himself. Personally I am so glad he invited us into his shop. One of my favorite channels, totally up there with Adam Neely and the sax channels I follow.

[@RED-cy7ig]

This violin has had a life. It has outlived all the genius composers.

[@masterbrick6282]

We also got a heavy rain in Sydney

[@redbeardthepink4809]

I love how he slipped in that "it was settled for about 60,000 years prior to that 🙄" Olaf is such a wholesome dude ☺️

[@Vokabre]

3:27 Rather impressive to think that when this violin currently residing in Australia was made, most Europeans had very vague ideas about Australia, and it's been ten years before the British "first fleet" arrived to what to become Sydney.

[@redbeardthepink4809]

Dude had me in literal tears and feeling all special around 15:20. I love this man so much 😭

[@minimouse7890]

When you took it out, it looked so sad and forlorn. But in your hands, it fairly gleamed and glowed! My violin is only 22 years younger than this one. It’s Irish, made by Thomas Perry in Dublin. It has so much character, looks like it might have survived a pub fight or two. I wish I knew it’s history beyond it’s use in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in BC, sitting for many years in a closet, and now given new opportunity for life with me. It was so exciting the day I got to bring her home! Thanks Olaf - love your channel!

[@johnog8358]

Haha what a surprise comment I'm in Dublin and Thomas Perry are very well known and sought after. Great instruments! Greetings.

[@medicinemadisonofficial]

What a fascinating history this violin has. So it was made 3 years before Mozart came to Vienna but also 3 years before Paganini was born.

[@WeilunP]

Just curious Olaf, have you ever given lectures at schools? You are such a good story teller!! I won't be absence at all if I can have you as a teacher at school lol Love your video as always!!

[@asherwade]

I’ve been close friends with a Luthier here in Israel (Jerusalem) for 36 years and I introduced him to one of my former students [rip] and I had a cartè Blanche to stop by whenever I wanted as he [also like you] had the hobby of making, with his fancy Italian Espresso machine, cups of coffee for all his clients [and mε]. Thus, besides playing violin, I learned quite a lot about making, but mostly, repairing violins, violas and cellos {and double basses, though I never saw one of those up on the work bench}. Anyway, my question regarding ‘this’ video is when making a violin, I was given to believe that the entire top cover is completely varnished and polished before the finger-board is glued in place. Thus, my question, why is there a “black strip”, almost purposely ‘’painted’’ underneath the finger-board area on the top table surface-?! (( * Oh good grief, I started this longish comment as soon as I saw that black area under the finger-board & I should have watch the whole video to the end, because you actually wondered [and spoke] about it, ‘too’. 🫢 Sorry-! )) BTW, I was in Australia back in Dec. 2000, for 3-weeks (Sydney, Perth & Melbourne), and I did visit a Luthier somewhere in Sydney [across the huge Bay Harbor Bridge] to rent a violin for my stay. Anyway, in which city do you presently reside as I would want to make an appointment and meet you face-to-face-? #violin

[@DanaBellefeuille]

love ur philosophy,,, my dad bought my violin then died,,,, i would not sell it for a million dollars,, thats my story an hopefully my grandchildren will hear my story some day.

[@elissahunt]

I love to think about the history of various objects, but I feel instruments are extra special because they come alive in the musician's hands. It's wonderful to know this violin is still "living" centuries after its birth.

[@jackie4369]

It is soo crazy that an instrument can outlive so many of it's previous owners and players.

[@modellbahnmoritz]

In 200-250 years this instrument too will be _close to_ 200-250 years old. Brilliant 😂. It's all love, fascinating stuff

[@carrielin81]

I love listening to Olaf telling the story of the beautiful instrument❤️.

[@AnnapurnaMoffatt]

I often think about how each instrument has a story. My violin is an intermediate-level German copy of an Amati. No label (bummer), but it was made between 1910 and 1920. World War I, Weimar Republic: if that instrument could talk, I bet it would have stories. No idea how it came to America, where, at age thirteen, I chose it and the bow (also German and about the same age) in Woodsound Studio in Rockport, Maine in 2001 and then brought them over to New Brunswick, Canada. Since then, I've really fallen in love with the instrument and its sound.

[@karenrobert7200]

What a beautiful violin! Thank you, Olaf, for sharing its’ story. I have a violin made in my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts by William L. Peters back in 1898. I love it’s tone. I understand that American violin making started in Worcester around that time period, and Peters was the most prominent of the group of violin makers. I enjoy your videos and watching you work!

[@fiddlefolk]

Olaf, I have an 1858 violin that is my main instrument. It is incredible sounding yet the previous owner allowed their dogs who were looking for chew toys to use this violin. Some edges are gone and perfling. I am sure there are some open spots because of this. I want to send the instrument to you for grafts and to rebuild this darling of an instrument before it falls apart! I literally think, that even in its condition that it sounds better than most violins I have heard on your videos, This fiddle spent time in Bill Monroe's Bluegrass band. It has a piezo pickup and microphone on it. It was last set up by my friend who worked for Fred Carpenter's fiddle shop in Nashville. Could you PM me with what something like this would cost? Thank you sir!

[@a.s.clifton544]

I am no musician (I play *at* my cello), but I am convinced that older instruments which have had several lifetimes of use are imbued with a portion of the music they have made. Willie Nelson's Trigger is another example. While no one in their right mind would gouge signatures into a high end violin, doing so on a high end Martin guitar doesn't seem to have hurt it too much. I do enjoy your videos. If I am to have knowledge I will never use crammed into my head, I am thankful when that knowledge is interesting. All my best. Please keep on entertaining and educating us.

[@lotsabirds]

I'm beginning to wonder now....who will be playing my instrument in 250 years. I'm a singer😲 I actually did sing in Mozart's house. Anyway, it was amazing to see that beautiful violin!

[@wade4452]

Such a beauty and sound that transends time. It's simply amazing.

[@gamerzz3024]

I live in Seattle, Washington, and here, rain like that is normal.

[@anjinsanx44]

Very nice ...well done

[@harrynking777]

Wonderful looking violin and superb, rich sound quality.

[@io5457]

I love videos like this with a lot of history of an old violin!

[@Chihuahuauno1]

LOVED the history and story behind this amazing instrument. Would love to see you working on a very expensive instrument sometime. Thanks for what you do!

[@WEdHarris]

I can't tell you how much I enjoy your videos!! Very informative and entertaining! I loved the story behind this beautiful violin!! Thank You!!

[@klauswassermann8054]

Great story, Grüße aus Wien to the antipodies ;)

[@ahh1180]

Always an enjoyable time when I see an Olaf vid

[@benleydon]

All these comments about how beautiful the violin is or this or that and none about how amazing the instrument sounded? even through YT compression and Olaf's non-professional playing you can hear such a sweet and rich tone.

[@GaryGP40]

I love your repeated phrases of "each instrument has a story to tell" that is such an amazing thing to think about. 243 years old! Beethoven was a young lad when this instrument came together. To wonder and ponder over where it has been and how it got to you. And thank goodness it made it's way to such a master of the craft as yourself, you care for and protect the instruments like it is a child, and you give them the best love and care one could ever hope to get. If I was a violin, I'd want you to be my "primary caregiver" for sure! :)

[@janroj6860]

the violin sound magnifisent.

[@bencze465]

Thanks for sharing the story. I would have been curious why did the top plate under the fingerboard became black? It can't be just the shade (less light), does humidity accumulate and something related to that or something transfers from the material? Would have been curious of past owners, sadly you don't have the info. If you deal with other violins and if owner doesn't mind ask them next time at least a few words about the history of the instrument to share with us :) like if it traveled across countries or anything interesting. I wonder how old the tailpiece is, I always thought this "square-ish" (not sure how it's called) form is new but maybe it isn't. Was this used decades, or more, before as well? I also wonder if cheaper (but still "proper violin" materials and make) could also live for so long if cared for, or does it require the best materials? As far as I read instruments are categorized, among others, based on how long the material was dried. 10 years, 30 years, 100 years are mentioned in the marketing speech. I wonder how that affects longevity, or quality. I am playing a 16 years old beginner violin that I rent from a small local shop with a grumpy owner that basically questioned and grilled me why I can't speak German (which is fair to wonder i guess). I know it's small because I got the violin from the owner, one Bettina Sandner who is running his grandfather's shop in his name Alois Sandner who apparently came from Bohemian region. I don't know if they make or just sell now. They are in Bubenreuth since the fifties, I understand it's got a pretty high concentration of violin makers for some reason. I suspect my instrument is around the 300 euro neighborhood (their cheapest priced instrument on their site) and at this price point these are probably just checked for QA and set up by them but coming from factory in a cheaper area of the world. I still wonder sometimes who played it before, probably a number of people, if any of them got any good since then :) Other than the not-so-welcoming customer experience I am pretty happy with it, the bow is kind of crappy but the violin is capable of making decently clear, resonant sound. I have been learning for the past 1.5 years and I sometimes wonder when should I step up to own one for longer term, the thought is exciting (as terrifying is to think of the actual selection process). In fact I'm going to my weekly lesson in a half hour, I changed strings 2 days ago and should just play it a little because they are still settling in.

[@rafaelsohnfischer3371]

Amazing violin’s story!! I love your videos Olaf. So gentle your work and you bring such beautiful thoughts of the relationship betwen humans, instruments and music. Looking foward to visit your atelie and get to know you. From Brazil.

[@barrymak8061]

Such beauty......wounderful

[@SRoyce87]

Beautiful

[@jonbunbury7027]

Love watching you work, Olaf! Such a beautiful instrument. Honestly, so jealous.

[@edmiller4149]

Thanks Olaf !! Love seeing you work on great instruments! Your passion is contagious.

[@absoluteelectricandmainten7432]

Thank you very much for sharing the great experience of working with such remarkable instrument!

[@nikolaygeorgiev7990]

Started playing bach partita 1 double with my teacher and realised this was olaf's intro. Wondered which piece it was all this time.

[@amandas.6500]

It really is a beautiful violin!

[@williambradford3627]

Very interesting, Sir!! Beautiful instrument, as was the one of yours that you showed. Thank you!!

[@JAR2.0]

What an amazing story that violin offers. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@mattildahubbardo]

Very cool about the age of this violin

[@picksalot1]

Beautiful repair. The violin looks and sounds lovely. Do you know much about the history of how old violins are "modernized" to make them usable by contemporary violinists? I think that would make for an interesting video. Thanks

[@fitzy0008]

Really enjoyed watching this. If only the instrument could talk. Wait… it did when you played it! I love that you are so intrigued by its history. My brother and I are vintage electric guitar enthusiast/ collectors and often wonder the history of the ones we own. Who bought it new, who else owned it, where it lived etc.. So a violin as old as this just blows my mind. Amazing stuff and glad you were able to make her sing again. 🙂

[@erent.1453]

u are amazing olaf I wish I could meet with u one day I feel relaxed while Im watching ur vids this video made me take care of my violin even moree

[@aenea22980]

Love your video! I completely agree, the mystery of the instrument's story is fascinating, I wish things could tell us where they came from.

[@erinschlameus3628]

Thanks for posting.

[@fnersch3367]

Wow! That violin is surreal. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@duncanb410]

Man, what a sweet violin. What I wouldn't give just to play a few scales on it to see how it sounds.

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

What a beautiful story and instrument

[@billharris6886]

Hi Olaf, thanks for doing the video, along with the history on this fine old instrument. When you got to the place where you actually played the violin, I was impressed with how clear it sounds. Another thing of interest, is the construction, which is exactly the same as modern day violins. With all the High Tech we see today (especially in the area of electronics), it is surprising that some things still stay the same.

[@horsesablessing13]

I dream of a day where I own an instrument with more history then my family tree.

[@kylevanvleet6108]

Really enjoyed the video! Love seeing you do repairs and set ups, but the history and story of this beautiful instrument was fascinating!!

[@robinengland5799]

I think you are very fortunate to have such a marvelous occupation! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@LouFerl]

Thanks, Olaf. That was very enjoyable. But what was that at 13:15? It looks like a fly or a ladybug crawling on the edge of the instrument... 😃

[@michaelt5012]

your channel is amazing im new thanks for existing

[@antoniojss]

Love your vídeos

[@dmitriyablonski4789]

Wow! This is truly amazing!

[@TXCrafts1]

This is gonna be good!!!

[@anasmenendezmartinez7527]

Bravo Maestro sublime work. Hi from Puerto Rico.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Thanks Olaf for your videos & this one too. Always inspiring. My first violin (I made) will be passed down the family & there's another I have to finish for another of my grown children. I hope they both will continue to be played & treasured.

[@charleslaine]

I love your channel! Your comments at the end are so inspirational. Spoken on another channel that I subscribe to, those words would be... "Ling Ling forty hours practice!"

[@raydenney7534]

I like the thumbnail👍🏼

[@johncook1080]

Olaf, since we don't have the benefit of your signature cleaner and polish here in the USA, (I'm sure you could market them successfully), can you please recommend a commercially-available cleaner and polish for our violins in the US? Thanks and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous 2023!

[@pheart2381]

Lovely lower notes

[@michaelwhisman7623]

I have been in Mozart's home in Vienna.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

With the colour of that varnish & darkness under the fingerboard, what are the chances it has been revarnished, without taking the fingerboard off? Another violin maker (in Italy, I think) has put up a video of him making a violin & when it came to clamping the fingerboard on he laced it on. It's the first time I've seen that method used though. It is interesting how each maker develops their own little methods that work for them, but I couldn't get over how everything was done with hand tools & even the drill for the peg holes & string holes in the pegs were done with a bow & string to drive the horizontal drill. He used a thumb-drill to make a hole for a fret saw blade to cut the 'f' holes. Of course, he used a large bow saw to cut the plates out & at the end, split off a length of spruce (possibly from the remainder cut from the belly) & proceeded to plane it into shape & eventually into the hand powered horizontal bench drill (like a lathe) to finish off the material for his sound post. I think if Strad had access to a bench drill, band saw & bench belt/disc sander he would have used them. :)

[@nancymilawski1048]

Yes Stradivarius was an innovator. He wouldn't use hide glue either today. It's comes apart too easily in heat and humidity. 😀😀

[@rossthefiddler5890]

@@nancymilawski1048 Sorry, I disagree with the glue. There is no glue today that is as good as hide glue for what it has to do. It needs to be able to be taken apart. We're not making guitars with PVA glue that can't be opened to be repaired, but violins that do need to be opened when needed.

[@nancymilawski1048]

@@rossthefiddler5890 pva glue can be taken apart with the exact same tools and methods as hide glue

[@rossthefiddler5890]

@@nancymilawski1048 No it can't & should never be used for repairing violin family of instruments! It does not crack open like hide glue but hangs on being destructive in trying the same way. An old person used to think he was repairing violins in our local area & he used PVA. He was a 'butcher' of violins.

[@nancymilawski1048]

@@rossthefiddler5890 if you apply heat pva comes apart. Hide glue doesn't hold in high temperature and humidity situations like in the tropics. Having an instrument constantly coming apart would frustrate me completely.

[@keithnore9622]

I know this is an older video, but I have to ask - What is the oldest violin that you have serviced? Love your videos. My wife has played the violin for about 50 years and my oldest daughter is the principal violist in the local symphony here in Alaska.

[@charleslaine]

Question: I noticed that on this violin where the bridge rests on the top plate, there are two fairly noticeable indentions in the top plate. Is there a way to remove these rectangular dents? I know that in furniture restoration that you can use water with a combination of heat and or steam to permeate the wood, which then swells and expands. But that is something that is done on wood that has been completely sanded and stripped and that can withstand more vigorous treatment. Perhaps this is impossible on a vintage instrument such as this? Anyway, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hi Charles, Yes it can be done. Often we leave them to tell their story unless they really hamper the sound. It can be dices with making moulds, heat, steam and patches on the inside... It's a pretty invasive operation. Most Strads have multiple patches on the inside.

[@highmountaingee]

Beautiful instrument. How much would an instrument like that be worth? Do professional violinists have a backup violin to continue playing? Keep up the good work. By the way, Houston, Texas has an incredible orchestra.

[@gailrivas762]

I absolutely loved this video!!!

[@humblesparrow]

I voted for this on your Instagram poll. Thanks!

[@battistazani8202]

So you think that in 250 years someone will be still around playing violins? What an optimist!

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

Excellent.

[@victorvalentino5872]

Love your enthusiasm!!! Keep it going!!!

[@paulb5700]

nice little video! I look forward to these videos!

[@dhouse-d5l]

Wonderful history indeed, Maybe Mozart may have even handled it....what a thought. So how does hot-hide stick to hard old hide glue..Doesnt it need stripping back to wood? Anyway really enjoying ur videos.

[@jamesluff8415]

Hi Olaf, been really enjoying your videos lately. Do you have a video where you talk more about using hide glue? I've used it recently as a beginner in lute making and I think it's absolutely wonderful, but would be very curious to know more about using it from your perspective. Things like what strength you use it at, how to know how much to put on etc. Thanks!

[@erniemiller1953]

I think about the paths of the instruments I find in thrift shops. You can tell by where the fingerboard is worn, on a guitar, whether it was a 3-chord sometime player, or a jazz virtuoso. I had one guitar that felt like it had the spirit of an old blues player who sat in the Mississippi Delta, playing in juke joints for rent money.

[@BensWorkshop]

Lovely violin. What is the ideal humidity range to keep violins in?

[@sara505sings]

Olaf, I have been wondering if you do all of your own video editing? As someone who does quite a bit of video editing and photography, I understand how time-consuming it is and I can't imagine how you do all of your beautiful fine violin work and find time to edit your videos. All well done, I might add.

[@z4dude131]

Copy of Antonius Stradivarius - Wilhelm Meier, maker 1763 -Berlin, Germany. This violin was in my fathers music room in the back of the closet. I don’t remember him ever talking about it so I have no idea about it’s history.

[@10fingersmusic23]

I am so glad to hear that you think about the story of the instruments you make. I often think about who will play the music I compose. Will my music be like Mozart's, Beethoven's and Vivaldi's and be played years after I'm gone. What will the story of my music be.

[@lindablosser8707]

I have a question Olaf. On an open Seam do you ever clean the old glue out from under the ribs before you put the new glue in?

[@molocious]

I recall reading W. J. Turner's biography of Mozart and the phrase that the child Mozart coined when referring to a particular violin that he enjoyed playing (as a child?). He called it his "butter violin!" Does anyone know what particular violins Mozart actually played on?

[@chibi7Sakura]

I spy a TwoSet logo in the backgound lol wasn't it a Ryobi brand before? I'm sure your violins will have a lot of story in 200 years. KZbin will make sure of that. Thanks for these wonderful videos.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Ah, you noticed the Ryobi replacement too? I still use my Ryobi bandsaw. It does what it needs to (better than a smaller GMC I had).

[@Seaby41]

Ha. My wife was just telling me about this old friend of yours yesterday.. And yes. Care and storage instructions don't apply up here...for anything.

[@Jeff034]

Strung as a baroque initially? Ok for modern strings?

[@thatonespaniard6509]

Lovely video, also I'm confused...I thought water was bad for violins. The more you know.

[@tatyanabridger4948]

What to use to clean and polish violin ? Thank you.

[@reginaparham6388]

Thank you for another wonderful video that I always learn so much from. I'm very interested in the construction/repair/maintenance process and the older instruments and history. Question, was this instrument & its era still made with the shorter necks and was it replaced with the longer and angled neck / fingerboard. What strings do you think suitable for a fine violin depending on what you think would sound better per individual instrument? Thank you and I wish you a wonderful day.

[@Travelingman-1980]

How did the violin make it to Australia?

[@Fidi987]

This is why I don‘t get that Markneukirchen/ Mittenwald bashing. Those are instruments often more than 100 years old, even if they don‘t sound like instruments worth a couple of thousand dollars, are they not valuable for just being that old and still being playable? My - not very expensive - violin from 1895 is the oldest thing I own and already therefore valuable to me (additionally, I also love its sound, however.

[@raidolill5134]

Do you have a tutorial about full cleaning violin?

[@woutmoerman711]

Thanks for the instructive video. I noticed a double bass in the background. Will there be a video about restoring that instrument? As a double bass player I'm very interested! Kind regards from the Netherlands.

[@cafiend]

I’m watching this at afternoon coffee time, drinking a nice Guatemalan that I roasted here at home.