| Author | Message | ||
| richbass939
Intermediate Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 163 Registered: 11-2004 |
Tony D. Balleck was an American luthier who made 53 violins and 1 viola between the late 1940s and the late 1990s. He was a farmer and rancher near Craig, Colorado who built them in his spare time. Tony was an old-school craftsman who hand carved instruments according to the old, time-tested methods. He also was a fiddler who played in barn-dance bands from the 1920s until the 1960s or 1970s. The first violin he built was carved with hand-made tools. He broke plate glass until he had a piece with the proper radius. Later he began acquiring and using the specialized tools of the luthier trade. Tony died on February 4, 2005, two weeks before he and his twin, Joe, were to celebrate their 92nd birthday. He was a wonderful person who always had a warm smile and kind word for people, strangers and old friends alike. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 775 Registered: 3-2004 |
That sounds like your father-in-law, Rich. I remember the pics of the violins and larger instruments you posted earlier, some of which you indicated were made by him. My condolences to you and your family on your loss. -Bob | ||
| richbass939
Intermediate Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 164 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thank you, Bob. Yes, Tony was my father-in-law. Dave Houck is posting some pictures for me. They should be on here fairly soon. Rich | ||
| bucky
Intermediate Member Username: bucky Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2003 |
My condolences as well. It's always sad when one of the "greats" passes on. May Peace Be With You All! Jeff | ||
| bucky
Intermediate Member Username: bucky Post Number: 148 Registered: 6-2003 |
My condolences as well. It's always sad when one of the "greats" passes on. May Peace Be With You All! Jeff | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1405 Registered: 5-2002 |
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| richbass939
Intermediate Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 167 Registered: 11-2004 |
Dave, thank you for posting the pictures. The top one is Tony in a band picture (about 1930). I had to crop out the other three guys so you could see him. The second one is from 1990. A few of his violins were non-traditional shapes or wood. He made one trapezoid violin. The bottom two are of his one viola and one of his violins. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 432 Registered: 1-2004 |
My condolences as well, Rich. Luckily his spirit will live on in the fabulous instruments that were born from his hands. That violin is simply out-of-this-worldly beautiful... Wilfred |
