Violin Maker Jan Špidlen on the 1715 “Emperor” Stradivari Violin
Strings asked violin maker Jan Špidlen, "Of all the violins that inspire you, which one do you most wish you could keep? What makes it special?"
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Sara Caswell on What It’s Like to Play Her Norwegian Hardanger D’amore
It has a warmth to it and an age and a wisdom to its sound.
Johannes Moser on His 1694 Andrea Guarneri Cello
Cellist Johannes Moser discusses the voice of his 1694 Andrea Guarneri cello, which “has a dark varnish, several procession holes in the back, and was cut smaller and then enlarged.”
Anne Akiko Meyers’ Thoughts on the 1741 “ex-Vieuxtemps” Guarneri del Gesù
By Anne Akiko Meyers | From the November-December 2022 issue of Strings magazine We asked violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, “Do the spirits of the people who have handled your violin, the 1741 ‘ex-Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri del Gesù, resonate in your performances…
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Fancy Rib Inlays Are a Satisfying Bit of Extra Work in the Violin-Making Process
Carving fancy rib inlays on a violin isn’t a sound requirement. It is extra work. It has little bearing on the functionality of the violin. But it is artistically satisfying.
Remembering Legendary Louisiana Fiddler Edius Naquin’s Unique Instrument
Legendary Louisiana Fiddler Edius Naquin's violin not a notable instrument, a cheaper Strad copy textured with decades of patina, but it had a real presence.
Luthier David Wiebe Reflects on the Amati Brothers’ Instruments
Luthier David Wiebe reflects on the contributions of Andrea Amati, the "father of the modern violin," and his brother, Girolamo.
Bow Maker Matt Wehling Reminisces About His Lost Copy of a Gibson Firebird
By Matt Wehling | From the November-December 2021 issue of Strings magazine Strings Magazine recently asked bow maker Matt Wehling: Of all the instruments that have passed through your hands, which one do you most wish you could have kept? …
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Restoring a Remarkable 1776 Gagliano Violin
Strings magazine recently asked Mark E. Russell of all the violins that have passed through his hands, which one does he most wish he could have kept?
Violin Maker William Stapp on Efficiency and Simplicity
Efficiency in instrumental practice is essential, and this practice can be broken into two parts: building time and performing time.
The Joy of Finding the Right Musical Match
We asked Ryan McLaughlin, of all the instruments that have passed through his hands, which one does he most wish he could have kept? What made it special?
Taking Off the Clamps: Violin Maker Francis Kuttner Describes His Favorite Moment of Crafting an Instrument
Taking off the clamps after successfully gluing the two halves in a perfect book-matched joint really sends me. It’s one piece!
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Violin Maker Karl Dennis on Instruments with Emotional Impact
By Karl Dennis | From the January-February 2021 issue of Strings magazine Of all the violins you’ve seen, which left the greatest impression on you as a violin maker? Over the years, there have been a small number of instruments…
Worth It: Restoring a C. 1690 Grancino Violin
By James Koehler | From the November-December 2020 issue of Strings magazine One of my favorite restorations was on a ca. 1690 Giovanni Grancino violin. When I first saw the violin, it had many cracks in the top, which was…
Violin Luthier Peter Shaw on ‘the Birth of an Instrument’
By Peter Shaw | From the September-October 2020 issue of Strings magazine What is your favorite part of the process of making a violin—what day do you most look forward to? My favorite part of the instrument-making process is the…
Shop Talk: David Hawthorne on the Art of Bowmaking
By David Hawthorne | From the May-June 2020 issue of Strings magazine What is your favorite part in the process of making a bow? The most fascinating thing for me is the end process of adjusting the camber (or curve)…
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Shop Talk: What’s your favorite part of the process of making an instrument?
By Anthony Lane | From the March/April 2020 issue of Strings magazine After 40 years of violin making, the time I spend arching the plates continues to engage me deeply. On these days, I hurry to my bench and forget…
Luthier Andrew Carruthers on the Heart & Soul of Violin Making
What’s your favorite part of the process of making an instrument? For me, carving the back and top plates is the heart of violin making. It’s a process that is both physically demanding and mentally engaging. Carving a cello back…