Eastman Strings was founded in 1992, yet it is already an integral part of the long and glorious history of one of the most fascinating musical traditions the world has known. Through our violin and bow making activities, we at Eastman Strings are attached to a tradition nearly 500 years old, and we strive to maintain a level of artistic and commercial achievement worthy of our predecessors.
The history of the violin family is fascinating and complex. It has all the elements of a great story, and our place in that story tells a lot about how we view the importance of what we do. There are many books and websites that offer extensive information and speculation about the history of violinmaking, and it is not our goal to repeat all of this information here. Let it suffice for us to pick up the story in the late 19th century, when economic and social factors came into play to influence the art of violin making and bring it into the modern age.
In the mid to late 1800's, the industrial revolution was well under way, bringing with it a rise of urban culture, increase in buying power for the middle class, and expansion of international trade. A generation of comparatively well-educated and affluent people turned its interest to music making, many as a pastime, and others as a vocation. No longer merely the entertainment of the noble and wealthy classes, classical and various forms of popular and folk music were embraced by ordinary people, and they wanted not only to hear it, but to play it themselves. Several different types of instruments grew in popularity-both mechanical devices such as player pianos, music boxes of ingenious designs, and other basically self-playing instruments, and more traditional instruments such as pianos, harmoniums, and violins. The violin in particular was the instrument of choice for more amateur and professional musicians than any other.
