Basic reference books

930010: R.Vannes: Dictionaire Universel des Luthier Vol. I-II

Vannes: Dictionnaire Universel des Luthiers Hardback, 800pp. This major reference work in French features short biographical notices on hundreds of violin makers from all historical periods. Although does not contain instrument photographs, one of this encyclopedia's most useful aspects consists, however, in the numerous facsimiles of labels and brands which it offers. The current reprint combines Vol. I (1951) and Vol. II (1959, with additions and corrections) in one volume. Text in French only.

930010

930015: O.Möckel: Die Kunst des Geigenbaus

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O. Möckel: Die Kunst des Geigenbaus Hardback, 378pp. US$ 110.00 Reprint of the 1967 update (by Fritz Winckel) of Möckel's standard violin-making treatise (originally written in 1930). In German-speaking countries, this is the book most consulted by violin-making students. Full of explanatory photos and diagrams, it contains thorough chapters on acoustics, tools, building and repairing violins, making a bow, etc. Text in German only.

930015

932008: Lütgendorff: Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher, Band I und II

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Lütgendorff: Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher, Vol. I and II Hardback, 2 vols, 1,188pp total. Reprint of the 6th edition (1922) of this essential reference work. Vol. I consists in an overview of the history of violin making by cities and regions. It includes an index of violin makers, alphabetically classified by the towns they worked in, and b/w photographs of 98 instruments by renowned makers. Vol. II is a thorough alphabetical dictionary of violin makers from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century. Well-known makers are briefly characterized in terms of style and tone quality. An appendix in Vol. II features a great number of labels. Text in German.

932008

932009: Lütgendorff: Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher, Band III

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Lütgendorff: Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher, Vol. II Hardback, 948pp. This update of the earlier Lütgendorff compendium was published in 1990 and was compiled by Thomas Drescher. Not only does it contain completely new entries on the violin makers of the 20th century, but it also provides updates for the articles from the previous 1904/1922 dictionary (Vols. I and II) which covered earlier centuries. New articles on makers from earlier centuries were also added. Furthermore, when enough information was available, makers are characterized in terms of their style and overall output. Vol, III surpasses Vol. II (the previous dictionary) in sheer scope and size; it becomes an invaluable tool, however, when used along with Vols. I and II. Text in German.

932009

934004: W. Henley: Universal Dictionary of violin and bow makers

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W. Henley: Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers.𘮔pp. 𘹭 reprint of the monumental, ground-breaking 1973 reference work. An astounding conpendium featuring biographical notes, characterizations of the work and label descriptions of over 10,000 violin makers from all countries. Text in English.

934004

934025: Gerbeth: Fachwörterbuch des Streichinstrumentenhandwerks

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Th. Gerbeth: English-German German-English Dictionary of String Instrument Terms Soft cover, 246pp. This extremely useful German-English English-German lexical tool includes every imaginable term one could need to consult, not only from the areas of tools, repairs and technical instrumental expertise, but also many terms associated with music-making in general, with acoustics, business dealings etc. Text in English and German.

934025