Peter Croll violin
£4,000
This fine example of the late Peter Croll's work is unlabelled and has been untouched since it was made. It was left without a set up by the maker and it has been set up at Stamford Strings. We have chosen ebony fittings to compliment the deep red varnish, and Evah Pirazzi strings to bring out the rich bold tones. The sound is beautifully even, crisp yet also rounded. This is a special violin and awaits its first owner for a lifetime of joy.
About Peter argo Croll
Peter Argo Croll was born 8th December 1941 at home in the village of Puckeridge, Hertfordshire to Gertrude and Frank Croll.
He spent his whole happy childhood living there with his elder brother John.
They both had a passion for bluegrass music, and his teens Peter bought a banjo which he learned to play listening to Peggy and Pete Seeger records. He spent hours practicing in the open fields behind his home. He would eventually go on to play in folk bands across Hertfordshire and London.
The first musical instrument Peter ever made was an Appalachian dulcimer, which he played on his knees. He once performed Amazing Grace on it at a concert in the Fortune Theatre in London. Apparently it was so sad and beautiful it brought the house down!
In 1976 Peter started a violin making course at Newark School of Violin Making. He was extremely talented and his work was precise and beautiful. His real passion however was for varnish. He worked tirelessly for the rest of his life searching for, researching and experimenting the best pigments and colours to finish his violins with. He had an enormous collection of samples and documentation; there are plans to write an article about his research.
Peter travelled around the country in his camper van, which he lived in, playing his violin with various Irish folk bands in pubs and clubs.
Around 2004 Peter started renting a workshop in the pretty, small town of Llanidloes, Powys. It was crammed full of his handmade tools and wood, much of which has been donated to the Rowan Armour-Brown Trust.
It was in his workshop, surrounded by his life’s work and memories from his extensive travels around the world, that he drew his last breath aged 82 on 25th May 2024.
He spent his whole happy childhood living there with his elder brother John.
They both had a passion for bluegrass music, and his teens Peter bought a banjo which he learned to play listening to Peggy and Pete Seeger records. He spent hours practicing in the open fields behind his home. He would eventually go on to play in folk bands across Hertfordshire and London.
The first musical instrument Peter ever made was an Appalachian dulcimer, which he played on his knees. He once performed Amazing Grace on it at a concert in the Fortune Theatre in London. Apparently it was so sad and beautiful it brought the house down!
In 1976 Peter started a violin making course at Newark School of Violin Making. He was extremely talented and his work was precise and beautiful. His real passion however was for varnish. He worked tirelessly for the rest of his life searching for, researching and experimenting the best pigments and colours to finish his violins with. He had an enormous collection of samples and documentation; there are plans to write an article about his research.
Peter travelled around the country in his camper van, which he lived in, playing his violin with various Irish folk bands in pubs and clubs.
Around 2004 Peter started renting a workshop in the pretty, small town of Llanidloes, Powys. It was crammed full of his handmade tools and wood, much of which has been donated to the Rowan Armour-Brown Trust.
It was in his workshop, surrounded by his life’s work and memories from his extensive travels around the world, that he drew his last breath aged 82 on 25th May 2024.
measurements
LOB: 353mm
Upper Bout: 165mm
Middle Bout: 114mm
Lower Bout: 206mm
String Length: 328mm
Upper Bout: 165mm
Middle Bout: 114mm
Lower Bout: 206mm
String Length: 328mm