Work In Progress

This viola is a commission from an adult violinist who also plays the viola and wanted an instrument that would be easy to swap around with. This should fit the bill perfectly as it feels just like a full size violin. Graham has already spent some time with an earlier viola of mine of this …read more

This is the largest viola I normally make. I drew up the design some years ago, based on the Gasparo da Salo tenor viola in the Ashmolean Museum. That’s a very large instrument, so I redrew it to what is a more comfortable size. This one is a commission from a pupil at Chetham’s School …read more

This is the third and final instrument I’m making to exhibit at Klanggestalten, the exhibition in Berlin that takes place in October every year. I’m lucky to have been asked to participate this year. I gave a lot of thought to what to make, as I wanted to highlight what I think is special about …read more

I’ve had an exciting invitation; to take part in Klanggestalten, an exhibition of violin and bow makers that takes place over a weekend in Berlin each autumn. It’s an honour to be asked to participate, so I am busy making the instruments I will show. I wanted to highlight the specialities of my work, which …read more

There’s a lot of demand at present for my smaller rental violas, which offer a true viola sound and response for younger players and adults alike. This one is already earmarked for a talented young player, for when she outgrows the 13 1/4 inch viola her family is renting from me at present. I’ve started …read more

I’ve made this violin model regularly over the last few years; it reliably produces a powerful and rich sound with a warm G string and sweet A. A friend of one of my cello customers came to see the last one I made before its new owner collected it, and I’m happy to say she …read more

A little while ago I had an interesting call from Stella, a viola player and teacher from Switzerland. Alongside her teaching practice she’s working on a dissertation, which has set her thinking more and more about the quality of her pupils’ instruments.   She wondered if I had ever made a viola the same size …read more

I have been intrigued by this early Stradivari viola for some while; it’s a rarity in his output, the only one made to this model, and unusually with a poplar back. I’ve heard it played by Antoine Tamestit on recording and been blown away by the expressiveness of the sound. During last year’s lockdown I …read more

I’ve been busy making these small violas for some time. This one is for my rental scheme, for a player who will soon be moving up from one of my smaller violas. This one is the same size as a full size violin, great for young players or for violinists who want an instrument that …read more

I’m pleased to have the chance to revisit one of my favourite violin models, one of the last instruments from the Stradivari workshop, in fact probably made by Antonio’s son Francesco. This is the fourth time I’ve made it; the model always delivers a rich and powerful instrument with a lovely warm G string. This …read more