Thomas Hardie (Edinburgh 1800 - 58)

A son of the great Matthew Hardie.  He followed the model of his father.  As the son of such a genius violin making as Mathew Hardie, much would naturally be expected.  Thomas Hardie probably began work under his father at the age of 10, and, and when he was about 22, his father died, his apprentiship had been long enough to thoroughly initiate him into the mysteries of his fathers craft, indeed the violins he has left bearing his name frequently show handiwork that would be hard to excel.  His violins were frequently built upon the same model as those of his father, but were often much more highly finished and attractive in appearance.  The varnish is better laid on, and inclined to a pink colour, and beautifully polished.  

However his early violins up to 1820 tended to deteriorate in terms of sound over the years and this was put down to the early methods he used to make them.  After 1820 the violins he made greatly improved regarding the tone.  

However his early violins up to 1820 tended to deteriorate in terms of sound over the years and this was put down to the early methods he used to make them.  After 1820 the violins he made greatly improved regarding the tone.  

After his fathers death we hear no more about the old business, though Thomas tried for some time to carry it on at the old place but eventually he had to give it up and make and sell his violins in a little shop in Shakespeare Square, behind the theatre Royal, which stood at the foot of the North Bridge on the site now occupied by the General Post Office.  Later he occupied a house in a ramshackle looking land in the High Street, then numbered 94, but now numbered 97. Unfortunately due to his alcohol problems he never managed to re-establish his business to the level of notoriety of his father. 

However an influential Edinburgh solicitor (William Yoole) of the time recognised his potential and employed him in St Andrews to make violins and violoncellos. Yoole himself supplied the materials and assisted a little with the work and between this time and the year 1851 they turned out a number of which are now far superior to Thomas Hardies early violins,

It is one of the later violins which Ross uses.  Hardie however was not to be cured, and he drank again until he was given up entirely and the work handed over by Yoole to Alexander Miller of St Andrews.  Hardie was still at no. 94 High Street in 1855, but after that seems to have moved further up the great thoroughfare to the Lawn market.  It was due to his drinking problem he later died on January 19 th 1858 and to this date his violins are greatly sought after.