The Maker:

Thomas Earle Hesketh (b. 1866, d. 1945) was a respected English violin maker based in Manchester, UK, and is regarded as one of the notable British luthiers of his era, particularly known for his Guarneri-inspired instruments. He trained under G. A. Chanot from 1885 to 1891, developing strong expertise in restoration and repair before founding his own workshop in 1891 on Oxford Street in Manchester. Throughout his career, he combined instrument making with extensive repair work, which often limited his production of new instruments.

His work is distinguished by superb craftsmanship and the use of carefully selected, high-quality tonewoods, including those associated with George Craske. He built instruments mainly on Stradivari and Guarneri models, while also making copies based on Amati, Ruggeri, Stainer, and Maggini designs. He also experimented with a few original designs, eventually having a more successful personal model after earlier smaller forms. While primarily focused on violins, he also made a limited number of violas and only a few cellos.

Appearance:

This violin, modeled after the Guarnerius del Gesu, has a fine-grained spruce top with the back, ribs, and scroll crafted from beautifully flamed maple. His characteristic golden-amber varnish enhances the natural beauty of the wood, adding warmth, richness, and a soft luminous glow across the surface.

Sound & Feel:

This violin delivers a warm, bold, and powerful sound with excellent response. The upper register has a clear, soprano-like singing quality, while the lower end is rich and robust. It offers strong projection with excellent clarity, depth, and tonal color across all registers.

Materials:

Belly: Spruce, Two-piece

Back: Maple, One-piece

Certifications:

Tim Toft Violins

Specs:

Back Length: 36.4 cm

String Length: 32.5 cm