Violins
Knilling Violins, Violas, and Celli
Established in 1922, Knilling proudly stands as the oldest violin
company in North America still owned and operated by its founding family. - The Knilling Custom Shop, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is staffed by dedicated men and women, experienced craftsmen who are committed to bringing out the best performance of each instrument.
- Pegs of fine quality ebony are shaved to the proper taper, and the peg holes in the peg box reamed to match the pegs. Care must be taken that the tapers match, and that each peg and hole are in perfect round. A string hole is then drilled in the proper position of each peg.
- With a small file, the craftsman fashions the nut, which is made of ebony, to the proper height and shape. Fan grooves, properly spaced for each string, are carved, deep enough to hold the string but not so deep as to pinch it.
- The ebony fingerboard is precisely planed and dressed for the correct arch and curvature. The surface is shaved and polished to insure a smooth contact surface.
- A fine quality German or French maple bridge is hand carved for the proper arch, correct thickness, and exact string spacing. Excess wood is removed to improve the bridgeís responsiveness to the strings. The feet are carefully thinned and carved to ensure perfect contact with the top of the instrument.
- The soundpost is carefully cut, its ends properly leveled, to wedge lightly between the top and bottom plates, a few millimeters behind the treble foot of the bridge. Its exacting position will have considerable influence on the voicing of the instrument.
- For student instruments, patented Buschmann tuners are installed on the ebony tailpiece. The German precision tuning mechanism allows quick, accurate, adjustment of the pitch. The unique cushions on the tuning arm protect the top of the instrument from nicks and gouges.
- The nylon tailpiece loop holds the tailpiece in proper orientation to the end of the instrument. Once adjusted to the correct length, it is trimmed and secured around to the endpin.
- Each instrument receives a final inspection. Its label inserted, it is then cleaned and polished, ready to play.
| Knilling Violins | Knilling "Prague" Violins
European model, attractively spirit varnished, featuring solid carved even grain spruce tops and flamed two-piece maple backs. Inlaid purfling, full lining and corner blocks. Ebony accessories, including pegs, nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, saddle, and button. Knilling Custom Shop adjustment includes four Buschmann tuners, Sacconi tailpiece loop, German maple bridge and Super Sensitive Red Label strings. Outfit includes #403 thermoplastic case with aluminum valance, horsehair bow, rosin and pitchpipe. | 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 Retail
$714 
| Knilling "Etude" Violins
Made in Germany, the Etude violin features solid carved spruce top and solid carved two piece maple back with inlaid purfling, full lining and corner blocks. Ebony pegs, nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, saddle and endpin. Fully shop adjusted in the Knilling Custom Shop, this violin is equipped with four Buschmann tuners, Sacconi tailpiece loop, German maple bridge and Super Sensitive Red Label strings. Outfit includes #403 thermoplastic case with aluminum valance, horsehair bow, rosin and pitchpipe. | 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 Retail
$879
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| Knilling Violas, and Celli | Knilling "Bucharest" Violas
Completely solid carved European viola, crafted from select spruce and well seasoned maple, with inlaid purfling. Ebony trim throughout, including pegs, nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, saddle, and endpin. Fully shop adjusted, these violas feature four Buschmann tuners, German maple bridge, and Sacconi tailpiece loop. Outfit includes thermoplastic case with aluminum valance, horsehair bow, rosin and pitchpipe. | 16", 15 1/2", 15"
Retail
$733
14"
Retail
$673
| Knilling "Bucharest" Celli
European instrument with solid carved seasoned spruce top and maple back, solid maple ribs, inlaid purfling. Ebony pegs, nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece. Knilling Custom Shop adjustment, with four Buschmann tuners, and Sacconi tailpiece loop. | Retail
$2,595
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Clarinets