Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: richbass939 on February 21, 2005, 11:44:29 AM

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: richbass939 on February 21, 2005, 11:44:29 AM

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.

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: bsee on February 21, 2005, 12:00:48 PM

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

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: richbass939 on February 21, 2005, 12:43:03 PM

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

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: bucky on February 21, 2005, 02:14:02 PM

My condolences as well. It's always sad when one of the greats passes on.
 
May Peace Be With You All!
 
Jeff

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: bucky on February 21, 2005, 02:24:42 PM

My condolences as well. It's always sad when one of the greats passes on.
 
May Peace Be With You All!
 
Jeff

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: David Houck on February 21, 2005, 05:51:58 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/16629.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/16630.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/16631.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/16632.jpg)
 

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: richbass939 on February 21, 2005, 07:51:06 PM

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.

Title: An American Luthier, 1913-2005
Post by: the_mule on February 22, 2005, 08:46:21 AM

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