My brother's friend, who owns Southworth guitars, took us on a road trip in the late '70s. We ended up at Bromberg's apt. in NYC. What a place! No room to sit. It was full of stringed instruments. I started Seneca Strings in 1987. I was building old time banjos and repairing guitars. My Danish father in law asked if I could build a Hardinger fiddle. I gave it to him in 1998. I can't seem to focus on any one hobby. Now it's these accordions that have my attention.
Craig
PS
Claude creates some very fine art. You should check out his talents!
The one and the same. Almost all are modeled from Italian and French makers from the past. In America, the first were crudely made Church Viols and they pretty much sucked. This was in Mass. Later, European immigrants brought tools and skills and violins! Folk music, tavern music, was fiddling while composed orchestral or ensemble was considered violin playing. There are some really fine instruments made by locals from local wood. Check out the Viator violins. I like calling them fiddles. Hardinger fiddles are Scandinavian and unique.
It's all good,
Craig