George Langton Dykes

History

George Langton Dykes (1884-1922) was born in 1884 in Leeds and died in 1922 in London, UK. He was the son of Harry Dykes, the well-known violin expert and dealer. George Langton Dykes commenced violin-making at the age of twelve and a half years. He received a good education and could speak French and German fluently. By March 1901, William Meredith Morris had already published his biography with a picture in The Strad, noting his work was full of promise. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the number of instruments he had completed by a certain point, stating either seventeen or twenty violins.

Craft

• Style: He made very fine French-style copies of classical instruments, building after Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati.
• Workmanship: All the work, including purfling, sound-holes, and scroll, was personal.
• Varnish: He utilized a varnish recipe supposedly originating from Vuillaume's workshop, which was taught to him by Paul Bailly.
• Label: His printed label read: "Made by / George L. Dykes / Leeds, pupil of / Paul Bailly / (pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume of Paris)".

Influence

• Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of his father, Harry Dykes.
• Training: He was also trained by Paul Bailly, who worked for his father and was a pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume of Paris.

Legacy

• Reputation: George Langton Dykes was greatly admired in his time.

Summary

George Langton Dykes (1884-1922) was an English violin maker, born in Leeds and active from the age of twelve. He was the son and pupil of Harry Dykes and also trained by Paul Bailly, a pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume. Dykes was known for making very fine French-style copies of classical instruments, utilizing a special varnish recipe, and was greatly admired during his lifetime.