modern violin maker
These days, much of my work is made to commission, and I also sometimes have instruments available from stock, as well as occasionally earlier instruments on resale. Find out more about current work at work in progress.
Please contact me if you’re interested in a resale instrument or rental; there may be something coming available soon.
My instruments at the moment are mostly made to commission, though from time to time I offer earlier instruments for resale. If you’d like to know if anything suitable is coming up, please get in touch.
16 1/4 ich (41.2cm) Brescian-style viola 2012
This viola was a new departure for me: using the traditional principles of geometry to design an outline which fitted with the Brescian tradition but also incorporating my ideas of what might work well for a viola of this size. It was a successful experiment and I’ve gone on to use this model on several occasions for commissioned instruments.
I’m now offering this one for resale at £9000.00. Its owner bought it whilst a student at Chetham’s School of Music and has used it ever since, until he asked me to make him a slightly larger viola in 2019. He had a lot of success with this viola before moving to the new one: he was joint 3rd prize winner of the 2019 Agustin Aponte International String Competition and can be seen playing it on this YouTube video:
15 1/4 inch (38.7cm) viola based on Meares/Hardie
This was a great project which I made totally for fun, a highly decorated small viola. It actually sounds fantastic, richer, darker and deeper than you would ever expect from both its small body length and narrowness. The full story of making it is here. It’s for sale at £9000. If you’d like to try it, please contact me.
15 3/4 inch viola 1993
This viola was a commission for a violin/viola teacher many years ago. We worked together to decide the best model for her and I designed this one specifically to meet her needs, based loosely on the lovely curvy Amati model violas, and using lovely French rosewood fittings. As my customer has now retired from teaching she wanted to sell the viola. I have done some work on it including a new set-up and it’s sounding responsive and clear. It’s for sale at £6000 or I would also be happy to rent it at £60 per month.
If you are interested in the possibility of hiring an instrument and don’t see what you want below, please do contact me, as it’s possible that a suitable instrument may come up in the near future as hire periods come to an end. I often have ex-rental violas available for sale; if you are interested, please contact me for details.
For details of how the rental scheme works, visit this page of my site.
13 1/4 inch viola 2016
This is a lovely sounding little viola, easy to play and responsive. It feels just the same as a three-quarter size violin and so is perfect for a young viola player. Unusually, the back is from poplar which helps lend it a warm and soulful sound. It was used from new by a pupil at Chetham’s School of Music, who has now outgrown it and moved to the next size up. It’s available to rent at £32 per month. You can see and hear it on this video.
15 inch two-cornered viola 2017
This is such a useful size of viola; perfect for teenagers not yet ready for their final instrument, but it’s full, rich, ‘real viola’ sound makes it ideal for adults who prefer a smaller instrument. This one had its first rental with a student at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, and is now available to rent at £60 per month or to buy outright at £6000.
This is one of my favourite viola models; I've made it many times and a number of my … Read More...
