John Dilworth
Jacob (II) Born 1680 Trauchgau, Füssen, Worked from c.1720, died 1765 Mannheim Germany. Son of Jacob Rauch (I), above. Appointed luthier to the court in Mannheim. Fine neatly finished work on Stainer derived models. Plain materials (heads often of pearwood). Pale golden-yellow varnish. Violas, cellos, and double basses reasonably common; also viols d’amores and lutes. Jacob Rauch / Hoff Lauten und Geigenmacher / in Mannheim. Anno 1732 Jacob Rauch hoff lauten und. Geigen- / macher in Mannheim. Anno 1776
Cecie Stainer
A maker in Mannheim about 1720-50. He produced some very good work, the quality of tone of his violins is said to be very similar to that of Stainer violins; he also made excellent altos, violoncellos, and double-basses. In an arch-lute of Laux Maler, which had been restored by Rauch, was found the label: “Jacob Rauch Hof-Lauten und Geigenmacher in Mannheim, anno 1740. Zugericht.” Another label was dated 1747.
George Hart
Brother of the above. Court Violin-maker.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff
Er stand in Mannheim, wo er seit mindestens 1723 Hof-Lauten- und Geigenmacher war, in einem gewissen Ansehen; seine Liebesgeigen mögen auch recht gut gewesen sein; besondere Sorgfalt auf die Wahl des Holzes verwendete er jedenfalls nicht, und seine Violinen und Bratschen zeigen recht gewöhnliche Arbeit. Das meist breite Modell erinnert an die schwäbische Schule; hohe Wölbung, unschöne F-Löcher, Hals und Schnecke oft aus Birnbaum, trüber, braungelber Lack.
Henri Poidras
Mannheim circa. 1740. High arching. Dark yellow varnish.