Andrew Fairfax viola 1979

sold

The viola is based on the Archinto and was made in Andrew's second year at NSVM after he and a couple of students visited the Royal Academy to make drawings and measure it.

​The student's measurements and drawings were so impressive that they became a college model for a while. Andrew went on to work for Beares and to become one of the country's most renowned makers and restorers.

The viola has been owned by one very happy violist who loved playing it and looked after it very well. Before submitting it to Stamford Strings, Andrew gave the viola a service and a new set up himself. It is set up with Pirastro Obligato Strings.

The Scroll

Exemplary carving and finished with rosewood pegs.

Dimensions

LOB: 414mm (16 ⅛ inches)
Width of lower bout: 240mm
Body Stop: 222mm
​String Length: 380mm

the sound

As you would expect from this Maker, the sound is glorious, even across the strings, clear, precise and colourful.

about Andrew Fairfax

After graduating from the Newark School of Violin Making, Andrew began his professional career in the Netherlands working for Joost van der Grinten before being employed by Charles Beare in London as a maker and restorer in 1982. Since then he has co-authered "The British Violin" (BVMA 2000), "The Voller Brothers" (BVMA 2006) and curated the 2016 Panormo exhibition for Tarisio London while continuing to research, write and lecture on numerous aspects of violin history, making and restoration across Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.

As a colleague of Charles Beare for over thirty years Andrew benefitted from the opportunity to work with some of the worlds finest musicians, as well as restore and study many of the greatest and most celebrated violins, violas and cellos. Now established independently with Anneleen , his experience is reflected in his new instruments as well as his approach to restorations and tonal adjustments.

Andrew is also a member of the Entente Internationale des Maîtres Luthiers et Archetiers.