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The Creators of Forte3D Instruments Made a Deal on ‘Shark Tank,’ and Now They’ve Got to Keep Up with Demand
The effect of appearing on the ABC show was instantaneous: Not a day has passed since the air date without an order coming in.
Tales of the Trade
A Dialogue Between Centuries: The ‘Polonia’ Strad Violin Is Getting a High-Tech Twin
Using cutting-edge technology, Mateusz Majkowski and Janusz Wawrowski are building a new instrument modeled on the style and geometry of the “Polonia” Strad as it was in 1685.
Home Shopping: Luthier Christopher Jacoby Sets Up His Bench Where It Will Enhance, and Interact with, His Life
“I wanted a place that reflected my style and philosophy. A shop where my kids run through on their way to the park,” he says.
When Curating Educational Catalogs, Music Publishers Must Be Pragmatic and Flexible
Curating an educational music catalog requires a careful blend of artistic vision and commercial awareness.
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Remembering Charles Beare
The British luthier turned violin expert, whose influence on the world of stringed instruments is difficult to overstate, passed away in April at the age of 87.
Where Makers Take Wing: The Lutherie Program at Minnesota State College Southeast Turns 50
The year 1975 saw the founding of a small school of stringed instrument repair that would become the violin repair and making program at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing.
Rozanna’s Violins Encourage a Player’s Imagination
Weinberger’s instruments shimmer in every hue, with decorative themes as diverse as her clientele.
How to Write About Classical Music Without (Necessarily) Becoming a Critic
The best critics combine a deep understanding of repertoire, performance practice, and historical context with the ability to communicate effectively to both novice and experienced audiences.
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The Violin Society of America Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
The VSA’s 50th anniversary isn’t just a milestone; it’s a launchpad into the next era of violin making and restoration.
David Bruce Johnson’s Violectra Is Meant to Feel and Sound Like an Acoustic, Even If it Doesn’t Look Like One
Though he is best known for his Violectras, each instrument he makes is unique
After 40 Years in the Trade, Luthier Florian Leonhard Finds Himself Exactly Where He Always Wanted to Be
The respected restorer, maker, dealer, and trusted authenticator is also known for his line of True Copy instruments
Hans Johannsson Celebrates His Career in Violin Making with “Echoes of the Ages” Event
At least 60 stringed instruments will be played and on display to honor his 40-plus–year career
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Students at North Bennet Street School Talk About Making Their First Instruments
In the intensive three-year program, students build a total of seven instruments: six violins and one viola, which they may keep or sell.
Kremer Pigmente’s 45-year Journey Reproducing Historical Pigments for Violins
Celebrating 45 years of making violin varnish and other products for luthiers and artists, Dr. Georg Kremer has spent a lifetime crafting products that faithfully recreate the past.
Yam Uri Raz Found His Way to Violin Making in Hawaii Via a Winding Road
Yam Uri Raz started out fixing guitars before founding Yam Violins around 2018 as a small, single-maker operation in the town of Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Kun Celebrates 50 Years of Bringing Comfort to String Players
Joseph Kun’s experience teaching and playing coupled with his work as a luthier drove him develop the Kun shoulder rest in 1972. The company celebrates 50 its 50th anniversary this year.
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Andrew Baker Takes Bespoke Rosin Seriously
Andrew Baker, founder of Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin in New South Wales, Australia, tailor-makes rosin to the specific needs of a string player.
Luthier Iris Carr’s Best Work Is Invisible—Which Is a Very Good Thing
Iris Carr is one of the go-to luthiers for violin restoration work, particularly neck grafts and detailed retouching, thanks to her eye for texture and color.
Luthier Rozie Deloach Draws Out the Stories of the Violin-Making World
Luthier Rozie DeLoach not only repairs stringed instruments and bows, but she brings their stories to life as co-host of the popular Omo podcast.
Richard Riggall’s (Day) Dream Career Making Baroque Bows
While he makes modern bows, Richard Riggall’s specialty is early bows, primarily of the Baroque era. It is a mystifying and, for him, exceedingly satisfying endeavor.
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A New York Story: Eric Aceto is on a Quest to Reinvent Stringed Instruments
By Greg Cahill | From the March-April 2021 issue of Strings magazine Eric Aceto of Ithaca Stringed Instruments (ISI) grew up in a family of musicians and artisans, but it took a while for the violin to enter his life.…
Next Gen Jam: The omo Podcast Began as an Inside Joke… But Didn’t Stay That Way
By Caeli Smith | From the January-February 2021 issue of Strings magazine Violin maker Christopher Jacoby is editor of the Violin Society of America’s membership magazine, the Scroll, and workshop manager at Potter Violins, where he wields his pen, tools,…
Making His Mark: These 7 Players Have Found Bliss in Hiroshi Iizuka’s Violas
By Greg Cahill | From the November-December 2020 issue of Strings magazine Caeli Smith met her dream viola in 2013, a few days after Thanksgiving, at the home of Hiroshi Iizuka, its maker. “I picked it up and played a…
Violin Maker David Bonsey’s Road to ‘Antiques Roadshow’ & a Varied Career
By David Templeton | From the September-October 2020 issue of Strings magazine If there’s one thing David Bonsey has learned about musical instruments over the years—and for the record, he’s learned a lot more than one thing—it’s that approaching a…