Fransiscus Forberger, Czechoslovakia, 1949

Czech violin making is mostly associated with the town of Schönbach, and its close connection with the nearby German Vogtland towns of Klingenthal and Markneukirchen. But, in the east, the Forberger family of luthiers established themselves in the Bohemian town of Svitavy, making violins and other instruments from the early twentieth century onwards. This post-WWII violin, produced in a large workshop run by Franz Forberger, is a skillfully made, good-quality student instrument, using well-chosen tone woods. The violin is very responsive and playable, with a clear, resonant, bell-like tone that has plenty of depth.