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Having built up an increasingly impressive track record for their stringed instruments over the past few years, particularly in the competitive novice and student markets, Antoni steps up to the spotlight with a superb collection of bowed instruments to suit players of all abilities.
OK, let’s borrow some buzz-speak from the business world, and start with something of a ‘mission statement’ - always useful in identifying what any particular company’s goals actually are...namely, in the case of making music, that ‘...the purpose of playing a musical instrument is to inspire, to entertain, to lift the soul, and bring joy to our lives as players and to the lives of others who listen’... With that in mind, the new range of Antoni Orchestral Stringed Instruments has been created to bring exceptional features, timbers, build specification and tone to a much broader range of players, from the novice and progressing student, to more accomplished players.
Antoni recognises that the instrument itself is of paramount importance in the contribution made to the willingness of the student to persevere, practise, progress and pursue the process of learning to control the instrument. To this end, to get the best from, and to really enjoy making music, means that great care has been taken with the new Antoni range to ensure that at every level the instruments look, feel, perform, sound and play way above their competitive price class.
Perfect for the new player, and available as complete, ready-to-play outfits from full to eighth size (violin), Antoni ‘Debut’ Series violins and cellos feature two-piece figured hand-carved solid maple back, table and ribs, a superb bow and many other up-spec attributes, including lightweight alloy tailpieces with integral adjustable fine tuners.
With their striking and durable high gloss antique brown varnish finish, Debut series instruments are as impressive to look at as they are to play. Finally, to ensure a superior sound straight out of the case, Antoni ‘Debut’ Series instruments are strung with premium USA-manufactured Super Sensitive Red Label strings, the choice of violin teachers across the world. The Antoni ‘Debut’ series is available in a range of sizes, in violin, cello and double bass.
For the progressing student, Antoni’s ‘Premiere’ Series Violin Outfits provide a tonality and playing feel redolent of much more expensive instruments. Offering a firmly traditional appearance, easy playability and rich tone, the Antoni ‘Premiere’ is unquestionably a capable and desirable instrument for the more serious student.
Featuring carefully selected, highly figured one-piece solid carved maple backs, consistently close grain spruce tops and select solid maple ribs, plus ebony fittings including heart-shaped pegs, the ‘Premiere’ instruments are finished in a traditional, high-gloss ‘moose nose brown’ varnish, and supplied with an octagonal Brazilwood bow.
The ‘Premiere’ is an ideal ‘step-up’, an instrument which will prove its worth in any musical environment. Fitted with genuine USA-made Super Sensitive Octava Perlon core strings, the ‘Premiere’ appeals to the eye, delights the ears - and pleases the purse. The Antoni ‘Premiere’ is available in full and three quarter violin sizes.
For those who perhaps desire a different, more unusual and modern take on the venerable violin design, there is the class-leading Electralin™ electric violin, again available in outfit format, to consider. The Electralin’s lowmass, solid spruce body offers a classic combination of craftsmanship and contemporary design, with impressive ergonomics and comfort contouring adding to the Electralin’s reassuring balance, whilst traditional materials and luthiery techniques provide the feel, tonality and playing dynamics associated with conventional acoustic violins.
The heart of the Antoni Electralin sound is a discreet, innovative, bridge-mounted ‘Nanoflex’ vibration-sensitive transducer system. Specially developed and voiced for the Electralin by Shadow Electronics, the world-famous German pickup and preamp concern, the Nanoflex pickup ‘listens’ to both the instrument's bridge and body, for a truly natural violin sound. The hum-free onboard preamp system is totally feedback-resistant and provides extensive tonal control, producing a breathtakingly natural amplified tone in all musical situations, from live work to silent practice within the confines of your bedroom. For an even more impressively natural playing feel and response, the Electralin’s high spec list of appointments includes carefully-fitted USA-made Super Sensitive Octava Perlon core strings.
Discernment comes with experience and aspiration. Inspired by the masters, the Antoni ‘Symphonique’ violin, with its luxurious timbers, finish and appointments, presents an air of class and finesse that sets it apart. The Symphonique makes a clear statement of serious intent, marking the player out as one for whom care, attention to detail, subtle nuances and an appreciation of sophistication and maturity of tone are all personal and musical attributes. Sumptuously-appointed, the Antoni Symphonique boasts a selected one-piece, hand-carved solid flame maple back, ribs and close-grain solid spruce table, matched by an equally meticulously-shaped selected solid hand-carved flame maple neck and scroll.
The darkly purposeful look of the ebony fingerboard, nut, tailpiece and Guarneripattern chinrest provides an elegant contrast against the Symphonique’s antique Frenchstyle satin oil-rubbed finish. Additionally, the tailpiece features four gilt-finish adjustable fine tuners, with an inlaid decorative brass and mother of pearl Parisian eye emblem.
Provided with a superlative Brazilwood bow, also beautifully appointed, and protected by a professional and luxurious case, the symphonique’ will astonish the most accomplished player with its focussed tone and breadth of ability.
As the player matures in capability, so too will the Symphonique, proving itself to be a worthy long term companion in a lifetime of fulfilling performances.
AVP44 : ACV30 : APEV44 : ASV44 Copyright Gear Magazine 2007 http://www.jhs.co.uk/gearmagazine.html
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