Ernst Heinrich Roth, Markneukirchen 1923

Ernst Heinrich Roth was born in Markneukirchen in 1877. Roth learned the art of instrument making from his father, maker Gustav Robert Roth. He established his own firm in 1920 and went on to become a widely acclaimed maker whose work continues to be highly sought after. Roth often copies great Italian makers like Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati and inserts his own style and individuality into his instruments. His choice of wood is made carefully to ensure the best tone production. This violin is a Gagliano model with warm orange-brown varnish shaded to an amber ground in several locations. The top is made from two pieces of spruce with narrow grain, and the back is made from two pieces of narrowly flamed maple.