Johann Joseph Held Violin, anno 1880, Beuel

This violin was made by German luthier Johann Joseph Held in 1880, Euskirchen, Beuel (near Bonn).

J. J. Held (1823 - 1904), son of a musician and a good flautist, opened a shop, selling musical instruments, with a repair workshop, in Euskirchen in 1861. A year after, "he made acquaintance with Norwegian virtuoso violinist Ole Bull who visited Held and stayed with him as a guest for a fortnight. During those days they discussed Bull's idea of giving new violings a balanced resonance. Held succeeded in this by using a sloping bassbar and changing the position of the sound post." (Karel Jalovec - German & Austrian Violin Makers). 

This beautiful instrument has a bright tone, rich in overtones and even across different strings and positions. Very responsive and projecting, this violin will definitely be a perfect tool for a professional player.