​​Eugen Meinel (E.H. Roth), Markneukirchen 1924 copy of 1725 Stradivarius

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One of the greatest German makers of his generation, Ernst Heinrich Roth (b.1877,d.1948) was something of a genius. He was said be fluent in eight or nine languages and played violin, viola, cello, piano and trumpet. Having learned the craft of violinmaking from his father, he traveled to Italy, France, Austria, Hungary, Russia and England to further his knowledge. He studied many of the great Cremonese masterworks including the "Duke of Cambridge" Stradivarius of 1725 which he reproduced extensively. An astute businessman, his shop produced different model instruments at various price points primarily for export. Each instrument carried a label, branded serial number and certificate. His best period was from 1920 and ended in 1933 with the rise of nazism. Roth is said to have finished, varnished and played each instrument before it left his shop. His highest-level instruments have a soft oil varnish similar to that of the great Cremonese instruments, the XI-R model being made entire by his own hand (often being custom-made or commissioned instruments). This violin is labeled "Eugen Meinel", one of Roth's trade names which he used to supply retail sellers in markets where the Roth name was to be supplied exclusively to a contracted dealer. It has a powerful, smooth and open sound. ​