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Scan 335
British Violin Makers: A Biographical Dictionary of British Makers of Stringed Instruments and Bows and a Critical Description of Their Work, 1920
12 lines. Read by computer on 29 August 2026. Printed page 271. See the scan on archive.org.
1Meek, of Carlisle. He has made only a few violins, which show excellent workmanship, and evince undoubted talent for the craft.
3GRAY, JOHN, Sunderland: contemporary. I have not seen any of his work, but it is said to be excellent.
5GREENWOOD, G. W., Rochdale: contemporary. He was born in Rochdale on March 4, 1885. He is a professional maker, and a pupil of T. E. Hesketh, the well-known violin maker of Manchester, with whom he served a five years' apprenticeship. He has not made many instruments as yet, his time being taken up with repairs, but he hopes to devote himself to the more interesting (if less profitable) side of the craft in future. The workmanship of the one example of his work which I have seen was magnificent, every part of the instrument being beautifully finished. The tone was firm, responsive, and of the reedy quality which is only found in high-class fiddles. This maker ought to produce work that will help materially to enhance the fame of the rising generation of British violin makers.
7GRIFFITHS, A. V., London: contemporary. He is said to have made some excellent instruments.
9GUNTER, HENRY, Scarborough: c. 1850. Fair work, but poor wood and harsh tone.
11HANCOCK, GEORGE, Stoke-on-Trent: contemporary. He was born in Hanley, Staffordshire, in the year 1851. He commenced as a professional repairer in 1886, but did not make his first violin till 1909, since when he has completed about a dozen instruments. He follows the Strad and Joseph models, and a specimen of his work which I saw and tried recently was of beautiful workmanship and had a very fine tone. This maker is a born artist, and it is a pity that his other business does not allow him to devote more time to that of making.
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