Peter (II) WAMSLEY

A maker in London about 1715-51. He had at one time a great reputation, especially for his violoncellos. He copied the Stainer pattern very closely, and also made a few imitations of Stradivari instruments; but in his attempts to obtain an Italian quality of tone he thinned the wood too much, making the tone sound hollow. His violoncellos with thicker wood have a fine tone; so have his double-basses ; the latter are rare and generally have red varnish. His work varies, some instruments are badly proportioned, with ugly straight sound-holes and brownish-yellow varnish; others are well made, with thick and brilliant red varnish; but those with dark brown varnish are to be preferred ; they generally have ink lines instead of purfling. He also made viols. In a violoncello was the label “Made by Peter Wamsley at ye Golden Harp in Pickadilly London, 1727 " , a similar label was dated 1733. Other labels are: “Made by Peter Wamsley at the Harp and Hautboy in Pickadilly, 1735 ' ; " Made by Peter Wamsley at the Harp and Hautboy in Pickadilly, London, 1737” “Peter Wamsley, maker at he Harp and Hautboy in Picaddilly, 17 London 51”