Violin by Ch. J.B. Collin-Mezin, Paris 1914

This violin has a sweet, bright, clean voice with rich overtones. It carries well on the E string, particularly in higher registers and the G string is capable of carrying a powerful robust sound. It is very easy to play with full strength on this violin without risking loss of tonal quality and gives very clean feedback to the ear  Overall, it is an elegant instrument with a rich clean sound fairly typical of the French style and projects very well.

It has a one-piece back and is highly flamed with matching ribs, neck and scroll. The varnish is a luminous light to medium golden brown. The is signed internally on the back plate. The violin has a delicate neck and would be ideal for a player with a smaller hand. It is easy to play in the upper positions.

Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin (1841–1923) was a French maker of violins, violas, cellos, basses and bows. His instruments follow the models of Stradivarius, Guarnerius and Amati. He was an Officier de l’Académie des Beaux-Arts and won gold and silver medals at the Paris Exhibitions in 1878, 1889, and 1900.

This violin will suit up to an advanced to tertiary level student and beyond. It would be very suitable for a soloist as well.

Length of back: 355mm