Elgar's Paragraph on Factory Basses

[Arnold Schnitzer]

When I visited Mittenwald (breathtakingly beautiful, by the way), I was told by Gunter Krahmer that the home-working of violin-family instrument parts occurred as farmers had little to do in the winters, and needed to bring in extra cash. There were similar arrangements in other businesses, such as textiles. I'm often pleasantly taken by the quality of the work done by these home-workers and the shops that assembled and finished the instruments. I'm sure many of these farmers passed considerable skills down from generation to generation. There is no way to compare the skill level of someone who learns by doing to one learning only in a school environment.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

When I visited Mittenwald (breathtakingly beautiful, by the way), I was told by Gunter Krahmer that the home-working of violin-family instrument parts occurred as farmers had little to do in the winters, and needed to bring in extra cash. There were similar arrangements in other businesses, such as textiles. I'm often pleasantly taken by the quality of the work done by these home-workers and the shops that assembled and finished the instruments. I'm sure many of these farmers passed considerable skills down from generation to generation. There is no way to compare the skill level of someone who learns by doing to one learning only in a school environment.

It is not just farming and working with your hands that made these people good in this field. Before the Mittenwald Violin making school came about, wood carving, mainly religious artifacts was a flourishing business in Mittenwald as it was a main trade route in that part of Europe. In the 17th century or so from what I read the business had died down mainly due to competition from further north in Germany. Mathias Klotz moved back to Mittenwald and started the Cottage Industry which still exists today in many areas to some degree and not just in Violins. I believe he was the hero that saved the town and they even made a Statue of him as well.

[Ken Smith]

Here's another twist on Mittenwald history;
http://www.matthias-klotz.de/frameseng/frameseteng.html

and another;
http://www.chambermusicians.org.uk/m...lin_making.htm

and another;
http://www.itcwebdesigns.com/tour_germany/violin1.htm

and another;
http://www.corilon.com/shop/en/info/mittenwald.html

Gotta love Google..

[Eduardo Barbosa]

I wonder what he would think of Factory made basses today...