Maidstone query

[reg]

Hello all - not to re-ignite the debate re Maidstone violins (I know Martin's opinion) but I find some to be very good and especially in the small sizes

Just a question , here are two 3/4 violins both labelled 'Maidstone'.

The one on the right is actually a well made 'Markie'- even to the blackened pegbox

The one on the left is slimmer, slighter with almost a 'Medio fino' appearance - yet also labelled 'Maidstone'

Did Murdoch import from JTL at all does anyone know?

[Delabo]

Someone in this thread said that some were JTL, I have no idea if he is correct.

https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/325632-maidstone-violins/

Plenty of other threads  where that came from..........................

https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/search/&q=maidstone&quick=1

[matesic]

At a recent Amati "affordable" sale I counted 5 or 6 Maidstones in various degrees of decrepitude. When I played in the Maidstone SO I wondered how the violin section might sound if they were all equipped with eponymous instruments? At least it wouldn't cost them much.

[Shelbow]

I've seen a few on the bay that looked OK 

[geoff1954]

Most Maidstones are the same type: dark varnish, reasonable construction. Made in Bohemia, I'm fairly sure. But a few look more German to me.  And I've seen two violins with the Maidstone label which were definitely French. One actually had a JTL label. 

[Conor Russell]

I think the Maidstone outfits were put together from whatever source, French or German,  to make playable instruments available at a reasonable price for children to learn on. So some are nicer than others,but they were all fairly basic.