Franz Gunther

History

Franz Gunther (1857-after 1928) was born in 1857 in Radegast, Saxony, and passed away after 1928 in Tiengen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He was the son of Georg Günther (I). Gunther apprenticed with Ludw. Bausch in Leipzig, and after Bausch's death, he completed his training with his father. From 1878 to 1880, he worked with his brother Gustav in Magdeburg. He then worked in Halle until 1886, where he established his own business after his father's death, remaining there until September 1893. On October 1, 1893, he moved to Potsdam, and in 1894, he took over the Grimm's business in Berlin, which he managed until 1901. According to John Dilworth, Gunther spent time in Milan and Cremona researching his craft before settling in Zurich and eventually retiring in Tiengen, near the Swiss border.

Craft

• Model: Gunther's violins were made after the Stradivari model, incorporating personal touches. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that the edge was made in the style of Vuillaume, meaning it was not rounded.
• Varnish: He used various varnishes, mostly spirit-based, until 1898. Later examples, and from 1898 onwards, utilized a superior oil recipe, specifically glaze oil paints from tubes, with shellac as the final coat.
• Construction: He tuned the top and back plates according to his own system.
• Labels: His labels were mostly handwritten.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Franz Gunther was a pupil of Ludw. Bausch in Leipzig.
• Family Collaboration: He worked with his father, Georg Günther (I), and later assisted his brother Gustav in Magdeburg.

Legacy

• Awards: At the Berlin Music Exhibition in 1898, he received a gold medal for his violins and bows.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Radegast, Magdeburg (1878-1880), Halle (until 1893), Potsdam (from 1893), Berlin (1894-1901), Zurich, and Tiengen.

Summary

Franz Gunther (1857-after 1928) was a German violin and bow maker who trained with Ludw. Bausch and worked with his father and brother before establishing his own workshops in Halle, Potsdam, and Berlin. He was known for his Stradivari model instruments with Vuillaume-style edges, utilizing both spirit and later oil varnishes. Gunther received a gold medal at the 1898 Berlin Music Exhibition and conducted research in Milan and Cremona.