It is always an exciting day when a fine, new instrument arrives at the shop. Since 2008 when we received our first cello from Lawrence Wilke, welcoming one of Larry’s cellos is an event we all enjoy. One topic that comes up consistently when talking about new instruments is antiquing. It’s a practice that’s been around for hundreds of years and creates lively discussions between makers, players, and dealers. I won’t go into an exhaustive list of pros and cons, but my own personal view of antiquing has evolved over the years. As a young player and lover of all things violin related, I was staunchly against it. I felt a new instrument should look new and wondered what an antiqued instrument would look like hundreds of years later. At the time I didn’t realize that we already had the answer to that question in some of the instruments of JB Vuillaume…and they look just fine! Now, I feel that antiquing has its place as long as it is artistically done. For an example of artistic antiquing, look no further than this beautiful Goffriller-pattern cello by Larry.
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