13 replies to this topic

[Ernie Martel]

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[Johnmasters]

If anyone can tell me more about Ray and his instruments I would appreciate it.

-Ernie

I remember him. I think it was pre-1990 at a VSA competition. His varnish looked like a terpene varnish, but I can't be sure of course. It was a very dark redish brown. Not the typical Cremona-like colors some want to make, but it was quite nice looking and completely tranasparent. It was soft without being sticky at all.

His work was home-craftsman done neatly. He took a tone prize that year. After that, either the next contest or soon after, the rules were changed so that a minimum level of craftsmanship had to be attained to be allowed to compete for tone. I do not know if this is still true, but I thought of Ray when this happened.

Do any of the makers or competitors remember this?

[Ernie Martel]

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[Ernie Martel]

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[Ernie Martel]

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[Ernie Martel]

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[duane88]

I have seen a fair number of his instruments down here in Seattle. I don't think that you would want to emulate Mr. Bastien's work, at least not the dozen or so that I have seen. I have had customers ask me to update insurance valuations on his instruments, the only documentation being Mr. Bastien's paper or sales paperwork, for over 10k. They are rough, at best, and the inside work on the 3 that I have opened for repair were fresh from the plane/gouge.(translation: there isn't a smooth spot for a post to be fit to.) The prevailing model that I have seen in violins is a mid-20th c. Collin-Mezin (flat between the f-holes), and the ones that I have seen are already sagging badly.

Decent hobbiest work. I declined to assist with the insurance valuations and suggested that they take the instruments back to Quist Violins, the shop that Ernie mentioned/didn't mention, since his instruments might be worth more in the localized market where he practiced his trade.

Nothing to bad-mouth about Mr. Bastien. I'm no expert, but I can comment on what I have seen and I think that what you are already doing beyond Mr. Bastien's level of work. If he made 50, and I've seen a dozen, I think that I've seen enough to form a reasonable opinion of his work. I have heard that the celli are good sounding.

And no, I didn't send Ernie an e-mail.

[Ernie Martel]

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[Johnmasters]

No it wasn't you...

Thanks for the honest assessment...that's the kind of info I'm looking for. It is very hard to obtain an objectionable opinion on a local craftsman, here locally.
Perhaps an inspired model in commemoration of Ray's work in the community would be more appropriate.

Interesting observations concerning his model choice and the present belly sags...I really apreciate you chiming in...I have heard nothing back from the viola owner yet and I am anxious to see it.

-Ernie

I just looked at the picture you posted. Something has happened to the surface of the varnish. When I saw them, they had a nice luster and clear film. The color WAS striking with a nice red in brown. I liked the color even though it was unorthodox. Part of this was the nice surface. If the entier film has degernerated from being unstable, then the value ought to be a lot less than otherwise (and I would not quote a figure either).

[Ernie Martel]

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[duane88]

Thanks for the honest assessment...that's the kind of info I'm looking for. It is very hard to obtain an objectionable opinion on a local craftsman, here locally.


Here on Maestronet, we specialize in "objectionable opinion"s...

[Ernie Martel]

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[Ernie Martel]

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[Ernie Martel]

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