Violin by James Findlay, Padanaram, 1888

About James Findlay

In a fairly crowded field, James Findlay stands out as one of Scotland's most interesting violin makers! Baptised on the 5th of December 1815 in Fearn, Angus, Findlay was the son of a tenant farmer who went on to make more than 500 violins.

Findlay trained initially as a weaver and names that as his profession in every census up until his death in 1896, however he also managed to establish one of Scotland's most significant violin businesses, employing a number of assistants to support his activities as a maker.

Findlay's instruments are well made, confident, and bold in design. Forfarshire is a long way from the violin workshops of Italy but in many ways we feel his output has more in common with his Italian contemporaries than you might expect!

About the violin

The violin was made in Forfarshire in 1888 and is built on Findlay's characterful personal model.

The violin has a two piece back of quarter sawn maple, the flame descending from the centre joint. The ribs and scroll are of slightly more plain maple and the front is two pieces of straight-grained spruce, widening towards the flanks. The varnish is golden brown in colour.

The violin has a length of back of 362 mm.

How does it sound?

This violin has an appealingly interesting, complex voice. It's not overly dark but has an incredibly meaty sound. The E string feels like a continuation of the A in that it remains quite a wide, generous sound.

Condition

The violin is in good restored condition.

More information

For more options, please view other violins in this price range.