Articles Archives | Tim Toft Violins

Dr John Basford records the genealogy of the Collin-Mezin and Colin families revealing a common ancestor. The article also shows the many leading Mirecourt figures who were in their circle of friends.

7 January 20254 January 2025

A Family Affair: Jean Baptiste Colin and Charles Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mézin Heading from JB: Dr John Basford records the genealogy of the Collin-Mezin and Colin families revealing a common ancestor. The article also shows the many leading Mirecourt figures who were in their circle of friends. The real Jean Baptiste Colin (hereafter JBC) has somehow escaped … Read more

Seeing the wood for the trees: bow wood from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century, by John Basford

26 November 202426 November 2024

Many woods were used for bow making in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including Brazilwood/ pernambuco, snakewood/amourette, spindlewood, tung wood, coral wood, ironwood, plum wood, beech wood, ebony, bois d’abeille (also known as bulletwood or massaranduba, though recent usage sometimes translates , bois d’abeille as Brazilwood which would more usually be bois de Brésil) and … Read more

Women Violin Makers: Mirecourt’s Luthières 1886-1901, by John Basford

14 November 2024

It is perhaps significant that, until very recently, the word, ‘worker’, had masculine and feminine forms in French (ouvrier and ouvrière), but the word for, ‘violin maker’ (luthier) did not. Such was the case until 1 March 2019, when the Académie française ruled that the word luthière could now be used for the feminine form. … Read more

A New Genealogy for Lockey Hill

20 June 202412 June 2024

Violin image © Tim Toft Violins. Text © John Basford, 2024. Most in the violin world are familiar with the company, W.E. Hill & Sons, but perhaps not everyone is quite so familiar with the family members who were its predecessors, so I will begin by presenting biographical summaries of those in a direct line … Read more

Sousa Bows made from ipê hardwood

20 December 202318 December 2023

Bowmakers are now turning their attention to another South American hardwood – ipê. Over the centuries many woods have been used for stringed instrument bows; Brazilwood/ pernambuco, snakewood/amourette, spindlewood, tung wood, coral wood, ironwood, plum wood, beech wood, ebony, bois d’abeille (also known as bulletwood or maçaranduba) and other tropical hardwoods. Due to the increasing … Read more

Antique violin appraisal by Tim Toft

14 March 202528 September 2023

Tim Toft, a well-established violin dealer with over thirty years of experience, handles the appraisal services for antique violins. Tim Toft’s extensive experience and meticulous approach in the violin industry has earned him a reputation as an expert appraiser. He is a sought-after consultant for prestigious shops and esteemed auction houses. In this article, we … Read more

Why choose Tim Toft Violins?

14 March 202512 July 2023

If you’re looking for an exceptional violin shop, here’s why you should choose Tim Toft Violins in the charming market town of Stone. Tim Toft Violins is situated in Staffordshire, and we have one of the largest collections of fine violins in the UK and many other instruments. Tim Toft is an internationally recognised violin … Read more

How To Choose A Bow

10 May 2023

There are many factors you need to consider when searching for a new bow; weight, balance, flexibility, material, condition, authenticity and, of course, price. Are you wondering how to choose a bow that will complement your stringed instrument? In this article, we look at some of the factors to consider when choosing a bow to match … Read more

Famous French Bow Makers from the past

23 April 2023

Known for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, French bow makers and their bows are considered the best in the world. Today, many musicians seek out bows made by French bow makers specifically for their superior quality. Their contributions have helped shape the way we think about the violin and the role of the … Read more

Victor François Fétique – French Bow Maker

14 December 202323 April 2023

Victor François Fétique (1872-1933) was a prominent French archetier or bowmaker. His career spanned several decades, and he worked for some of France’s most prestigious music houses. Fétique’s bows were known for their firm, dense sound. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Fétique’s life, training, techniques, and impact on the world … Read more