BAINES, —- London, about 1780.
BAKER, —- Oxford about 1720.
BALESTRIERI, THOMAS, This excellent Maker was a pupil of Stradiuarius, and made after his model. The Author has seen an Instrument by this Artist, which is of the large flat pattern and has a magnificent and brilliant tone. The wood of the back and ribs rather plain—the belly very fine open grain, purfling not very neat—varnish reddish yellow. Pronounced by judges to be equal to a fine Stradiuarius. It is dated Thomas Balestrieri, Cremonensis, fecit Mantua, 1757. This instrument is a proof that amateurs may in future look with safety to the pupils of Stradiuarius for violins to take the place of those of the great masters, which are yearly becoming scarcer and dearer.
BALESTRIERI, PIETRO, Cremona, rather earlier than Thomas.
BANKS, BENJAMIN, Salisbury. Born 1727, died 1795. Foster in his excellent work calls him "one of England's best manufacturers. Too much cannot be said in praise of this justly celebrated Maker. The work of all the better class of instruments is excellent, the tone good of all; but that of the Violoncellos in particular is full and sonorous." Mr. Gardiner in his "Music and Friends," says "Banks of Salisbury's Violoncellos are of the finest quality of tone—not so strong and fiery as Foster's, but in sweetness and purity excelling them." They are chiefly of the Amati pattern.—The best Instruments have brownish yellow Varnish with a tinge of red, others deep red of a blackish tinge, Varnish not brilliant.
BANKS, BENJAMIN, Son of the former, London, born 1754, died 1820.
BANKS, JAMES and HENRY, Salisbury, other sons of the same. James is said to have been an excellent workman in his father's style, and dates about 1805.
BARRETT, JOHN, London, about 1725. His labels state him to live at the Harp and Crown, in Picadilly. He made some good instruments, but did not purfle them. The author has seen a Violoncello by this maker which was everything that could be desired in the matter of tone. The wood and workmanship, however, were not equal to the tone, and this circumstance will probably partly account for the settled preference now given to the Italian instruments over all the old English makers.
BARTON, GEORGE, London, died 1810.
BEKMAN, SWENO, Stockholm, 1706.