Andrew Mentiply

History

Andrew Mentiply (1856-1918) was born in Boarhills, Fife, Scotland, in 1856, though William Meredith Morris states his birth date as November 1, 1859, at Burnside, Boarhills, near St. Andrews. He died in Glasgow in 1918. Mentiply was apprenticed as a joiner and later worked on the railway. He was active in Ladybank and Gateside, Fife, before moving to Glasgow in 1915. He began working as a violin maker around 1880, pursuing it as an amateur maker in his free hours, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Craft

• Output: Andrew Mentiply produced around 120 violins, violas, cellos, and bows, according to John Dilworth. William Meredith Morris states he made over fifty violins, and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions over 50 new violins and many bows.
• Models: He employed fine workmanship on personal models. While some of his violins were based on Stradivari and Guarneri models, the majority were on an original model, as noted by William Meredith Morris. This original model's outline and arching were strongly reminiscent of Joseph Guarneri, but with a more rounded outline, especially in the inner bouts or C's, and a more extended lower end.
• Arch and Soundholes: His instruments featured a high arch and large, slightly eccentric soundholes set close to the edge. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff observed that his F-holes showed oval end points instead of circular ones. William Meredith Morris, however, considered the soundholes 'overdone and bordering on a caricature.'
• Scroll: The scroll was likewise rather extreme with a very deep throat and strongly recurved chin, described by William Meredith Morris as 'quaint and pleasing in effect.'
• Varnish: John Dilworth describes a good rich oil varnish of deep red brown colour. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that he made his own oil varnish. However, William Meredith Morris states that the varnish was 'very indifferent' and suggested that with better varnishes, his work would rank among the best in Scotland.
• Workmanship and Tone: William Meredith Morris praised his workmanship and tone as 'excellent.'

Legacy

• Family Business: His business was continued by his son John as the 'Mentiplay' music shop, which flourished in Kirkcaldy until 2003, according to John Dilworth.

Further Information

• Labels: Instruments bear a printed label: 'Andrew A. Mentiply, Commercial Road / Ladybank / Fifeshire, March 1899' or a manuscript label: 'Andrew A. Mentiply Ladybank. Fife. 7/2/99'.

Summary

Andrew Mentiply (1856-1918) was a Scottish amateur violin maker who, despite his primary profession as a joiner and railway worker, produced a significant number of violins, violas, cellos, and bows from around 1880. Active in Fife and later Glasgow, he developed a distinctive personal model characterized by a high arch, unique soundholes, and a deep-throated scroll. His work, noted for its fine workmanship and excellent tone, was continued by his son's music shop until 2003. Sources contain conflicting information about his birth year, the total number of instruments produced, and the quality of his varnish.