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Formal Training

Greg Eckes has been making and repairing violin family instruments in the Visalia, CA area since 1977. I started my formal studies in 1980 with Lewis Main Jr. and Senior in Long Beach California.  As a prerequisite to accepting me as a student, I had to show them my first violin. I made it by reading books. From that meeting I learned that books can only tell part of the process. You really need a competent teacher to show you how to build a professional violin. The Mains could see that I had a talent for making violins and was accepted to study with them. Their training came from the French school as taught to them by Renee Aerts who apprenticed at Mirecourt France. Many professionals musicians in the Southern California area have trusted the Mains to work on their valuable instruments including Erich Lachmann, violin maker and collector. The Mains are noted for their exceptionally beautiful varnish and fine sounding instruments.  My studies continued with them until 1990.
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In 1989 Lewis Main Jr. suggested that I study with Ed Campbell at the Chimneys Violin Making School in Boiling Springs Pennsylvania.

I studied with Ed in January 1990. Ed has won many awards for his violins and runs one of the best violin making schools in the country.

He is very active in the Violin Society of America and is much sought after as a clinician.

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I am very proud of my teachers and the training they have given me. 

I am deeply indebted to them for their help and guidance. 

I can only hope that my work will reflect their greatness.

My Violin Makers Tree (French School)

Jean B. Vuillaume

1798 - 1875

Eldest son of Claude Vuillaume, b. Oct. 7, 1798, at Mirecourt; d. Feb. 19, 1875, at Paris. In 1817 was employed by Fr. Chanot to make violins on his newly-invented pattern. Went to Paris, 1818, and was a pupil of Georges Chanot for two years. In 1821 he entered the organ factory of Lete and soon became a partner ; " Lete et Vuillaume " settled in rue Croix-des-petit-Champs in 1825. They separated in 1828, and Vuillaume started his business at No. 46 in the same street, where he remained for nearly thirty-five years, moving to 3, rue Demours, in 1860. He tried at first to sell his own new instruments; but finding that the demand was all for Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati instruments, he changed his methods, and one day produced a splendid Stradivari violin, signed by the great master and having a fine tone, for the sum of £12 ! Orders at once flowed in and Vuillaume's fortune was made.
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Photo by Moulin Workshop - Analogic, Public Domain

Paul Bailly

1844 - 1907
BAILLY, Paul Born 1844 Mirecourt, died 1907 Paris France. Pupil of Galliard and J. B. Vuillaume, and then worked successively in Lille, Douai, Mirecourt, Paris, Brussels, America, Rheims, London, and for Harry Dykes in Leeds. Finally moved to Paris in 1899, established at 197 rue de Grenelle. Very fine and varied work, copyist of classical models. 10 Medailles Or, Vermeil, Argent et Bronze / A Paris Sydney Malbourne etc./ No... Paul Bailly / Luthier / Ancien élève de J. B. Vuillaume, de Paris / 197, rue de Grenelle PARIS Année 19.. Paul Bailly, / luthier à Mirecourt, Vosges / Élève de J. B. Vuillaume cie Paris / Luthier de l’Academie de musique de Douai Ten Medals—gold, silver and bro
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Renee Aerts

1844 - 1942

René AERTS, Born 1883 Mirecourt France, died 1942 Los Angeles USA. Apprenticed in Mirecourt. Worked in Germany and England before establishing his own shop in Brussels in 1921 at 7, avenue de la Régence. Succeeded Darche as luthier to the Conservatoire. Emigrated to Los Angeles in 1932 with his son Marcel. Excellent copies of classical masters, including Guadagnini and Gagliano. Furnished a set of instruments for the 'Pro Arte' quartet. Violas and cellos particularly esteemed. Lutherie d’Art / Père Aerts Fils / Rue de la Régence 7 / Bruxelles
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Belgique 1928 violin signed Signed to the outside back by Eugene Ysaye, Mischa Elman, Jacques Thibout and Fritz Kreisler.

Lewis L. Main

1909 - 1993

Lewis studied violin performance under Gregor Agronoff. In 1932 he studied violin making under Rene Aerts. He established Main’s Violin Shop in Lynwood, California, in 1936. He also worked in association with Erich Lachmann from 1935-1963. In 1958, he moved to Long Beach, California. Mr. Main copied Italian and French instruments but also used his own model. He was known for his varnish. Early instruments were labeled “Luigi Marinelli, Cremona”, with dates in the 1800’s. He made more than 150 violins, 15 violas and 3 cellos. He also repaired many fine instruments and applied his varnishes to a number of older instruments. Mr. Main was a member of the Appraisers Association of America, the United States Appraisers Association, and the Violin Society of America.
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Lewis L. Main Jr.

1930

Lewis Main Jr. learned violin making from his father. His work desk was directly across from his father’s at the Main’s Violin Shop in Long Beach California. Their customers included professional musicians from various symphonies, soloists, recording studios and serious students in Southern California.

Lew made Stradivarius and Guarneri model violins. His favorite model to make was the 1741 Guarneri Del Gesu model. His violas were modeled after Stradivarius and Amati. Lew also made one cello. Lew varnished his instruments with the Strad 1704 formula that was discovered by his father. He did many experiments with the varnish to make it more durable and lustrous. Lew’s favorite color varnish was rich red-brown. Lew’s years of playing the violin professionally, gave him a keen understanding of what tone quality and playability should be for a high quality instrument. Lew’s knowledge, skill and expertise are well known in the music industry. 

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Gregory J. Eckes

1950

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