Gareth Ballard, London, 2015
About Gareth Ballard
Gareth is a very fine luthier whose workshop is based on London´s Lambeth Walk. He originally worked as a composer and performer before going on to study violin making, first of all in Italy and then at the Newark School of Violin Making. Gareth talks about his fascinating
here.
In addition to being a talented violin maker, Gareth is much sought-after as a restorer. This violin combines these two roles, being based on an instrument which Gareth looked after.
About the violin
Nicolò Amati is one of my favourite violin makers, so it is a great pleasure to have a violin modelled after his work by Gareth Ballard in stock. Gareth made this instrument having spent many years looking after a Nicolò Amati violin: lucky man! The closeness of the model demonstrates Gareth´s intimate knowledge of the original instrument, particularly in his conception of the beautifully elongated corners.
The violin has a one piece back of beautifully figured maple and a two piece front of straight-grained spruce which widens towards the flanks. The varnish is particularly lovely, being somehow both a dark, chocolate colour and very luminescent. The length of back is 350 mm.
How does it sound?
The violin has an extremely flexible sound and can play both incredibly quietly and very loudly with ease. This instrument oozes colour and sophistication, making all sorts of repertoire a joy to play.
Condition
The violin is in original mint condition.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this contemporary violin by Gareth Ballard for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.