Violin Making

I think this is my Great-great Grampa. There are six violins in my family with the name Edward Andrews writen inside them and they are dated around 1930. I wonder if anyone has any aditional info about him or his violins.

Edward Andrews, born in Norwich 1886 was a cabinet maker, violin maker, actor, conductor and vocalist. He made 25 violins according to an online dictionary of violin makers http://www.ricercare.com/research/library/dictionary/frame.html Best wishes Duncan Kirkwood

I have a violin which was bought by my late husband in 1962. The violin, named Lynton, was built in 1947 and remained the property of its maker, Edward Andrews, until his death. My husband bought it from Mr Ramshaw (of Willson & Ramshaw music shop in Norwich) who had been instructed to sell it by the executors of Mr Andrews' will.

I have a violin made by Edward Andrews in 1947. It has a beautiful mellow tone. My husband bought it in Norwich in 1962 from the estate of the late Mr Andrews, and played it for over 40 years. It is number 20, and named Lynton.

Edward Andrews was my great-uncle. He was born 1st May 1886 and died 24th Feb 1961. He never married. He lived at 33 Camperdown, Yarmouth, besides making 26 violins and three violas he was musical director of the Norwich Hippodrome during World War I. If any one has one of his violins for sale I would very much like buy one.

See my comments above. I might be willing to part with "Lynton" - how can I contact you?

The Norfolk Record Office appears to have a bundle of Edward Andrews' notes regarding his construction and repair of violins No.'s 1 to 3 and 19 to 28 : http://nrocat.norfolk.gov.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqServer=128.60.0.31&dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=(CatalogueRef='Y/D%2041/71') i.e.: Great Yarmouth Borough Archives Private Deposits Assorted Papers relating to Borough Administration Personal and Miscellaneous (Yarmouth) CatalogueRef Y/D 41/71 Title Working notes by Edward Andrews of 33 Camperdown, Yarmouth, of violins made and repaired. Nos. 1-3 and 19-28 only Date 1947-1960 Level Piece Repository Norfolk Record Office Extent 1 bundle RefNo See where this entry fits within the collection as a whole AccessStatus Open AccessConditions Withdrawn by Yarmouth Museums on 10 August 1986. CatalogueStatus Catalogued There are two methods of constructing violins; one uses an 'inside mould' and the other an 'outside mould'. The photograph of Edward Andrews in his workshop shows he preferred to use the 'inside mould'.

A few observations ref. the photograph. E.A was a pipe smoker ... there is a pipe visible amongst the chisels/gouges on his bench. He is probably making more than one instrument as there are three necks visible ie one against his chest having the 'heel' carved, and two necks (one on each bench) which have been only rough carved ie no scrolls visible. The instruments hanging in the walls are interesting because two of them have decorated backs ... the one on the RHS of the photo has a diamond pattern which was probably 'inked' rather than inlaid. This decoration is unusual on violins but is common on Norwegian 'hardanger fiddles' (these are similar to violins but have extra drone strings) so maybe E.A.'s violin designs could have been influenced by seeing/inspecting a Norwegian Hardanger instrument? The instrument on the rear wall appears to have a one piece back as distinct from the more usual two piece back. The ribs visible within the 'inside mould' are secured by ordinary clothes pegs ie whilst the glue between the parts of the ribs is drying/setting. The light coloured instrument hanging on the wall is probably a viola. The 'spikes' which appear to be sticking out of the bottoms of two of the instruments hanging on the walls ie where the end pin would normally be fitted, are a mystery - unless they are just temporary long dowels fitted as an aid for easier varnishing ie the instrument could then be swivelled on the dowel. Duncan Kirkwood

ERRATUM: Ref. my comment above "The Norfolk Record Office ..." and the last sentence therein which states, "The photograph of Edward Andrews in his workshop shows that he preferred to use the 'inside mould' " This should in fact read " ... he preferred to use the 'outside mould' " whereby the mould fits around the ribs and the blocks. This is also known as the French form as distinct from the classical Cremonan internal form which uses a mould which fits inside the ribs. Apologies for the misunderstanding. Duncan Kirkwood