Pictured is a "simplex", turn-of-the-century violin. "Simplex" because it was originally a rather simple instrument, but having been revoiced, along with addition of an ebony fingerboard, new bass bar and professionally set up by Luthier, Bob Gravlin, it's developed a rather "complex" history, along with a superior sound.
The once-broken-down violin was passed around at the 2011 camp, with those wanting to support the camp's 2012 scholarship fund putting bills in its sound holes, and local luthier, Bob Gravlin, promising to repair it. At the 2012 camp, the repaired instrument was played and showcased by several of the camp musicians, with Evan Marshall using it to play a red-hot rendition of Orange Blossum Special. Many people bought raffle tickets for a drawing with the pictured violin being the grand prize.
All said, folks were generous, with their ticket purchases serving to seed the 2013 Julian Family Fiddle Camp Scholarship Fund. As for the the instrument itself, the winning ticket was held by fiddle camper, Buzzy Geist, a big-hearted, loveable guy from Bishop, CA. We expect to see Buzzy (and his violin) at the 2013 camp, and hope to have another violin to raffle off at that time as well.
CONGRATULATIONS BUZZY!
