SmakulaSmakula
Fretted
Instruments
PO Box 882, Elkins, WV 26241
304-636-6710
Fiddles, Violins, and Bows, contact us...
Page Updated 4-4-13
Please Visit our Home Page for links to our banjos, guitars, mandolins, and more.
VIOLINS & BOWS
1921 Amati copy, made in Czechoslovakia, imported by V.C. Squier. Long before the Squier name was associated with imported Fender guitars, they (Squier) imported violins and manufactured instrument strings in Battle Creek Michigan. This example is a rather nice factory fiddle that has a one-piece curly maple back with sides and neck to match. Finished in an antique yellow amber to red amber varnish it is a good looking fiddle. But we all know tone is the bottom line and this instrument has a lot of it. Full and even with plenty of volume across all four Pirastro Cromcor strings. This fiddle attracted plenty of attention at the recent Fiddler's Reunion ad Davis & Elkins College. Come by, give it a try, and find out why! $2,250 will buy this instrument and the sturdy black thermoplastic hard case. Photos
1909 Gemunder Art Violin. This is one of the nicest fiddles to come through our shop n a while. This instrument was made to look old. The artificial player wear was masterfully done in a dark red-orange varnish. The two piece curly maple back has strong figure and matches the neck well. Recently set up in our shop with a new bridge and Pirastro Cromcor strings. The bottom line though is the tone. A full bass with clear treble side too. This instrument will be fun to have around for a little while. Price is $3000 and includes a decent case. Photos
1930's German Strad Copy. Dark red brown varnish with a cool rose decal on the top opposite the chinrest., VG, HC & Glasser bow, $250, Stock number N-118 Photos
1880's Strad Copy, Repaired & Voiced by Charles Edlivitch of Baltimore Maryland in 1917. An old looking and great sounding instrument with several well executed repairs. The tone on this one has a strong bass and an even midrange & treble. Fun to play and listen to. Price is $1,800 with a decent case. S-19 Photos
1920 L. Ludwig Special Copy of Antonius Stradivarius. So says the label of this decent sounding & playing factory fiddle from Berlin, Germany. Finished in an amber color and fitted with ebony appointments, this instrument will not disappoint a player starting out, or an intermediate fiddler looking to upgrade their beginners instrument. Price is $750 and includes a hard case. Photos
1923 William Heath, Des Moines, Iowa. A nicely made American 7/8 size fiddle with a one-piece curly maple back with tight curl. Looks like a lacquer finish instead of varnish. Good workmanship with a bright sound. String length is 12-1/2" In excellent condition with a hard case for $600. Stock number G-39 Photos
1930's Made in Nippon (Japan) Strad Copy. I have always liked these instruments. Well built with Asian maple, they consistently have a decent tone. I describe this one as pleasingly precise and bright. The finish on this instrument is a dark brown/amber color. In excellent condition with a case it is priced at $650. N-88 Photos
1907 Lyon & Healy Eureka violin, Style 1073. This Amati style fiddle came from the estate of Woody Simmons. With the recent set up, this fiddle would make Woody proud to have owned it. With full even tone and big volume, this fiddle could easily compete in any band that played at the local square dance halls with out amplification. The finish is orange amber and is set up to fiddle specifications. In 1979 Woody wrote down the history of this instrument. His and LaVern's son William used this instrument extensively until William could no longer play. The price of $2,500 includes that written history and a Lifton "Built Like A Fortress" hard case. Photos
New Cremona SV-175. We offer these new instruments as an alternative to costly repairs on older student fiddles. We have been consistently impressed good quality and decent tone. The top is carved spruce, maple back, sides, & neck with ebony fingerboard, pegs, & nut. We fiddleize then before we sell by leveling the fingerboard, adjusting the bridge to fiddle specs, and a new set of D'Addario Prelude steel strings. The outfit includes a good case and wood bow. Only $270. Photos
1950's Juzek, 3/4 size. A superior instrument for the serious young student. EC, HC & Bow, $500 Photos
1954 Kay C-1 upright bass. A long and interesting history this instrument has had. Formerly owned by Wilma Lee Cooper, this instrument was used as a house bass at the Grand Ol' Opry for many years. After Wilma Lee decided to sell it, John Lilly owned and used it for many years. John recently decided that he was not playing bass very much and it was time to move the instrument to another home. Over painted in White years ago, the bass is quite striking. It has had it's share of bumps and bangs, but is quite solid, including the ever present Kay bass neck crack (solidly repaired). As far as playability and tone go, it really doesn't get any better. All in all the bass is in very good condition and the $1,900 price includes a decent gigbag. Sorry, shipping is not available for this instrument. Photos
New Glasser Fiberglass violin bows with real horse hair, many sizes, the best for the least $40
New Glasser Carbon Fiber violin bows with real horse hair, A great bow for a reasonable cost $225
New Glasser Carbon Fiber violin bows in colors with matching colored horse hair, Funky! $260
New K. Muller Anniversary model Pernambuco bows, with star, tulip, or deluxe eye inlay on frog,60-64 gm $400
New K. Muller Anniversary model Pernambuco bows, with tulip inlay on Snakewood frog,60-64 gm $450
New Jacques Remy Pernambuco bows, made in China, 60 to 62 gm $320
Many used pernambuco bows, 57 to 70 grams, $125 to $650
Guide to Abbreviations and Physical Condition;
New; An instrument that came to us from the manufacturer. It has never been owned by a consumer and has it's full warrantee.
Mint; As the instrument came from the factory. No blemishes at all
Near mint; Almost as it came from the factory
EC; Excellent condition, a very clean instrument that has a few minor blemishes
VG; Very Good Condition, reasonable wear for its age.
GC; Good Condition; plenty of player wear.
Plus or minus indicates the condition is half a grade better or worse.
HC; Price includes a Hard case, either made of laminated wood or ABS plastic. Hard cases offer the most protection for your instrument. The disadvantage is they are heavy.
OHC; Original Hard Case, the hard case purchased with the instrument when it was new.
SC; Softcase, refers to a chipboard (stiff cardboard) case,
OSC; The chipboard case sold with the instrument when new.
GB; Gigbag, a padded cloth bag. Usually with shoulder straps.
Shipping
We ship most of our instruments via UPS. Cost to ship a mandolin or fiddle is $15 to $25. Cost to ship a guitar or banjo is $20 to $50. The cost of insurance is extra. We will be happy to quote before shipping.
Small goods like banjo heads and other parts cost $6 per order for Priority Mail shipping in the US no matter what the order size. Out of the USA shipments will be quoted before they are shipped.
Sales Tax
We are legally obligated to charge 6% West Virginia sales tax on anything purchased here at the shop, or shipped within the state of West Virginia. We do not charge sales tax on orders sent out of state.
To Order
Please call us at 304-636-6710. As payment we accept checks, wire transfers and MasterCard & Visa.Email; Occasionally a customer will let us know that the "Contact Us" button will not work on their computer. If you have that problem, please use sfi<at>smaula<dot>com You will have to change the <at> and <dot> to @ and .