Meet the Maker: Charles Beare

by Jonathon Peterson

Originally published in American Lutherie #82, 2005 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Seven, 2017



In the violin world, Charles Beare is one of the people whose opinion matters. His passion for instruments has inspired him to achieve an internationally recognized level of expertise. His London-based business, J&A Beare Ltd., was established in 1865, and he is the fourth generation Beare to sit at its helm. Last November he attended the Violin Society of America’s 32nd Convention to lecture and to help judge their 16th International Competition. He graciously took time out of his busy schedule there to tell me a little about his life and his love for the instruments.


I don’t know if you are aware, but you have been in the pages of our journal before.

Oh really? When was that?