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| John Topham | |||
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Specialism: The Dendrochronology of Violins Contact:
I am a repairer and restorer of instruments of both the violin and viol families. I graduated from the State School of Violin Making in Mittenwald, Germany in 1971 after a 3 and half year course. After spending a year in North London with a maker who made double basses, I got a job in central London at Edward Withers Ltd under the directorship of Dietrich Kessler. I made viols for the first two years under Dietrich expert supervision and continued for the next five years repairing and restoring instruments including a variety of viols. In 1979 I started up my own self-employed business and after marrying Chrisy I settled down in South Nutfield where I have been ever since. Most of my work is in restoring instruments of the violin family although I have had the privilege of working on many viols particularly those owned by Dietrich. Over the years (nearly 30 years) I have worked on many nice instruments. Recently I was fortunate to work on an early bass viol by Ventura Linarol dated 1591. A lot of my time now is taken up with the study of dendrochronology or tree-ring analysis. The technique, which only allows the dating of the wood of the front of the instrument, has been able to provide some insights into the choices makers made as the set about making their instruments, something that is virtually unknown in old documentation. I am currently chairman of the BVMA and am happy to serve on a Committee of fellow makers and repairers of violins and bows. We try to actively promote the craft of violin making with conferences, repair workshops and Makers Days. We offer a quarterly Newsletter which although small (A5 size) is becoming more and more influential. | ||
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