Objective

 

My goal is to create concert quality instruments in the spirit of the Italian Golden Age. Each instrument is carefully crafted. I use the best possible material and acoustical principles for lasting tone and beauty.

Concert Quality Tone

Although the tone of any instrument is perceived to be extremely subjective and individual, there are main factors that are present in any well-made instrument.

Power:

The acoustical design of the violin must be strong in order to carry the sound far enough to be heard with sufficient presence.

Range:

At any given volume, piano or forte, there must be enough depth in quality to be molded and articulated by the player.

Overtones:

Ideal presence of partial frequencies of each note gives the violin tone more complexity and texture which is essential for pleasant musical tones.

Beauty

A violin is an art object as much as a musical instrument. It should be made with an aesthetic posterity in mind. There is a certain nostalgia that accompanies the beauty of a violin while being played or displayed.

 

Wood:

A well-seasoned tone wood grown in an ideal climate with naturally beautiful flames and grain-structure must be used. I only use seasoned toned wood from the European Alps.

Varnish:

The type of varnish used and the method of applying matter are important in appearance and tone. Brittle or hard varnish that dries too quickly should be avoided. The varnish of my own recipe is oil-based and takes up to 2 years before it is fully dry to the core, during that time the violin continues to mature in tone.

Enduring quality

A luthier's acoustical principles and experience play a major role in the construction of a violin --- arching, thickness, and model.

There are violins that sound good at first but deteriorate over time due to poor construction. This often happens when an operator at a commercial establishment hollows out a violin without regard to its health over time.

I make violins with a future in mind both in construction and varnish. Check out my Sohlip Violins page for more information.