Violin maker's blog

A recent commission was to make a small 15 inch ( 392 mm ) plus viola with a maximum short string length of 345 mm and a comfortable neck for a young player at a major British  Conservatoire.
This individual design was recently built and is now with its proud owner.  As requested, the viola is double purfled with Clover leaf patterns on the back.  It is my viola no. 111.

The viola is is 384 mm and as set up, the string length is 344mm. The instrument has a very open and strong carrying sound.

Another, even smaller, commission is for George, here holding the wood for the back of his violin

This little 1/4 size violin is now being varnished. The photos show it with its ground coat applied.

 The violin has a back length of 11inches, 280 mm. The lovely back is a piece of figured English sycamore, cut on the slab.  THe instrument is Violin no. 88

I greatly enjoyed making both these instruments, but then I always do!