Suzuki Violin (1/4 size)

Object Details

Description

This violin was made by the Suzuki Violin Company Ltd. in Nagoya, Japan in 1978. The Suzuki Violin Co. in Nagoya made a line of violins specifically for export to Heinrich Roth in the United States, and applied a "RR #" to these instruments at the factory. The Scherl-Roth firm in Cleveland matched these violins with bows supplied by the Glasser Manufacturing Co. of Bronx, New York and thus provided the United States market with a line of pre-packaged instruments in a range of sizes that were appropriate for the small beginner to the mature player. There is a printed label inside the violin:

Suzuki.
Established 1887 in Nagoya
No. RR101 Size ¼
Anno 1978SUZUKI VIOLIN CO., LTD. JAPAN

The characteristics of Suzuki violins are varied through a range of targeted production quality. Usually the instruments are built on an outside mould, but the archings may either be pressed or carved into their final shape depending on the quality grade of the instrument. Originally the woods employed in production were from Japanese sources, but since 1960 have been imported from Germany. A scroll-carving machine invented by the founder, Masakichi Suzuki, as well as other cutting and shaping machines are utilized in the contemporary mass production process.

This ¼ size student violin with ebony fittings has a plastic molded scroll and ear relief applied to the plain maple pegbox. Very plain spruce and maple have been used in this instrument with transparent reddish-orange varnish and inked representations of purfling.

Location

Currently not on view

Data Source

National Museum of American History

maker

Suzuki Violin Co., Ltd.

date made

1978

Credit Line

Gift of Albert F. and Lorette M. Moglie

Physical Description

spruce (part material)

maple (part material)

plastic (part material)

Measurements

overall: 19 1/8 in x 6 3/4 in x 2 7/8 in; 48.5775 cm x 17.145 cm x 7.3025 cm

Object Name

violin