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Benjamin Banks Edit Profile

maker

Benjamin Banks was an English violin-maker.

Education

Banks was originally apprenticed to his uncle William Hutoft.

Career

Banks seems to have occupied Hutoft"s premises on Catherine Street in Salisbury upon Hutoft"s demise in 1747 until Banks" own in 1795. From 1757 until the late 1760s Banks was primarily interested in the keyboard instrument construction. He had a close association with Longman and Broderip in London who seemed to have been an outlet for his violins (these examples are stamped with the Longman name).

The instruments were based on the Amati and Stainer form, the cellos being particularly sought after.

Such instruments were often branded "Banks" - externally and on the inner linings.