Robert Matthews Violin- Croxley Green, UK circa 1955-1960

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Robert Matthews (1905-1979) was a self-taught maker from Croxley Green, a little village about 20 miles northwest of London. This violin was made in the last third of his lifetime. Robet Matthews’ focus was to study fine violins, especially the Italian violins and other European master old instruments. He completed studies in model design and f holes. His sound holes are more in his own style, wider at the top of the cut and gradually tapering to the bottom. The workmanship is clean and the scroll in the turns is excellent. This instrument is based on a Stradivarius pattern but is definitely his own style on a theme. His wood choice is beautiful, and the top plate spruce grain is exquisite, straight, even leans to the finer side. The two-piece maple back is flamed with a medium-width curl and the ribs match the back plate in degree of flame. The purfling is hand set – a little shaky in the hand. We have the violin fitted in all ebony and I have also cut a new French bridge, cambered the board, and cut a new soundpost.

Corpus 356.0 mm. Major Width 208.0 mm. Minor Width 169.0 mm. Rib Height 30.0 mm.

The violin has power and resonates well. Tonally it is big and bold. It carries that same quality through all of the strings. There is no one string that overpowers the rest. The violin’s E and A strings speak with their drive and the brighter response from the treble side makes this violin a good choice for a fiddler.