Matthias Dahl (b.1888, d.1973) was one of the most important historic Minnesota violin makers. Many professionals are known to use his instruments for their entire careers. Dahl was born in Norway and made his first violin when he was 7 years old. At such a young age it was clear he had a particular aptitude for working with instruments. In 1910 he moved to Minneapolis to study under H.P. Blakkestad’s  through the Blakkestad Music Company. Dahl followed models of Stradivari and Guarneri instruments as closely as possible and was clearly inspired by these great Cremonese makers. Dahl’s masterful precision is best represented through the sound holes, the scroll, and the purfling on his instruments. In 1958 he won first prize at a violinmaking competition judged by Simone Sacconi.  This instrument has a beautiful honey colored varnish with a stunning one-piece back. It produces a very bold sound across all ranges and an extremely clean upper range. It is exceptionally easy to play and would be perfect in the hands of a serious violinist.