Schuster and Co violin, Markneukirchen, c 1900

The Schuster family was founded by Georg Schuster, born in 1685 and established as a master violin maker in the Markneukirchen guild of violin makers by 1748. John Dilworth lists no less than 29 of his descendants in his violin and bow makers dictionary, working from the eighteenth century though to the modern times as both violin and bow markers in Markneukirchen, Schönbach and throughout Europe. Schuster and Co, based in Markneukirchen, dedicated themselves to making superior student instruments, basing their work on the great Cremonese masters, in this case Nicolas Amari. A golden yellow varnish complements attractively flamed maple and well-selected spruce. The tone is trye to the style-warm and clean, with a very pleasant characterful palette of colours.