John (I) Betts

He was universally known as " Old John Betts," and was well respected and patronised. He was a pupil of Richard Duke, and, in the few instruments made by himself, showed that he had imbibed much of Duke's lore. The workmanship and varnish have much the same characteristics — the latter being, as a rule, of a tint which is a shade warmer than the varnish of Duke. He did not make many instruments himself, but employed excellent workmen, such as the Panormos, John Carter, Edward Betts, Bernhard Fendt, &c. The work is excellent, but poor instruments were occasionally sold by him, bearing his label. My great-grandfather ordered a violoncello of Betts in the year 1780, to be made by Betts himself. This instrument is now in my possession, and in excellent condition, having been recently repaired by Mr. J. W. Owen of Leeds. It is of the Amati model, plain wood, golden-brown varnish, with rather wide sound-holes. The tone is moderately powerful, and very sweet and mellow. The workmanship is solid and sober, without being refined and artistic like the work of Betts' master. Betts was one of the first in this country to do extensive business in Italian instruments, and a large number of fine violins found their way into this country in his time. He used two or three different labels. The one inserted into the violoncello just referred to reads : — JOHN BETTS, NO, 2, NORTH PIAZZA, ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDINI, FECIT, JANUARY 9, 1782 the last line being written. The words "Jo. Betts, No. 2 North Piazza, Londini," are also written across the back on the inside, near the top, and an inscription, which is not decipherable, is written across the belly near the left sound- hole.