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About Don G. Eckland:
Born in Seattle, WA (1938)
Hes primarily a self-taught maker
and made first instrument in 1968, a
double bass. Now he is primarily
doing repair work and received a
certificate for workmanship at the
1978 competition.
Don is a dedicated craftsman, with
experience in various phases of the
art of violin-making and
restoration.
His love affair with wood began at
an early age, and developed first
through work as an apprentice
fine-cabinetry repairman, and later
progressed to specialized work with
stringed instruments.
He started as a furniture restorer
and worked for Pearce Music in Salt
Lake City starting in 1965, doing
repair work and also varnishing
pre-carved student instruments. He
worked for Peter Pier 1971-1974. In
1974 he moved to Coconut Grove,
Florida worked for Harry Duffy. Mr.
Eckland first met Mr. and Mrs. Duffy
during a short stop-over in Salt
Lake Ciy, when they were enroute to
the West Coast. At that time, their
organization needed a competent man
to head their shop, and after
meeting and talking to Mr. Eckland,
a mutual liking and respect led to
an invitation for him to visit Miami
and "look over" the situation.
Shortly thereafter, his visit to
Florida resulted in his decision to
accept Mr. Duffy's offer to become
associated with one of the finest
violin houses in the country. In
1978 1979 he returned to Salt Lake
City. Also in 1979, he established
own shop in Dallas.
During his 6 year tenure as shop
manager for Pearce Music Company in
Salt Lake City, he expanded his
knowledge in the related field of
varnish and rosin, eventually
developing and manufacturing the
latter for world-wide use.
Later, Mr. Eckland began making new
instruments, as well as continuing
his expert restorations.
His new creations include not only
violins, but several string basses.
Most of his instruments have been
slightly modified Guarneri copies.
But now he is switching to a Strad
model. His instruments have a very
fine oil varnish of own making,
often antiqued. Some have name
stamped on the top block, and are of
very fine workmanship. He has made
46 violins and 2 double basses.
A busy teaching schedule in Salt
Lake City enabled him to encourage
and inspire many students at the
only violin-making school in the
United States.
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