Do you know anyone with a real Stradivarius or a real Guarnerius?  Which would you rather have?  Funny question, right?  After all, wouldn't it be cool to have a violin worth 2 or 3 million dollars?   An original instrument is always worth more than a copy.

 How did the Old Masters like Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari come up with such successful designs that now everyone copies them?  What makes these instruments so great?

Questions like this are the basis of culture!

In this modern day of age where you can press a button and seemingly have the world at your fingertips, there is a real danger that the basics are forgotten and that some really valuable things can get buried or lost completely. 

I used to spend hours with my dear friend Chris who was a cabinet maker.  He would say to me "I think television destroys creativity."  We used to spend hours in his shop talking about all kinds of things like art and philosophy while we enjoyed the fresh smell of wood shavings and linseed oil varnish.  Then he would encourage me and say, "You are a really fine musician, why don't you go to Julliard?"   Those were the days when I didn't really believe in myself and I didn't see what my gifts were.  Then I finally listened to him and wound up studying with the best in the world, both in viola performance and in lutherie.  It's important to find your value and see that everyone has a place.  There will always be naysayers that try to tear you down.  Ignore them and shine your light!!

Yes, there ARE proven principles for designing violins that are almost lost!

What does that all mean for instrument design and for you?   It means that culture, creativity, enthusiasm, and sharing your God-given gifts is really important!  The way I see it, self fulfillment and joy comes from finding your unique place in the world.  So if you are a musician, finding the special musical tool that helps you do that is super important.

So when you want your ultimate violin, viola da spalla, or cello da spalla, shouldn't it be YOUR instrument rather than just an instrument you find by luck?  Shouldn't it be something more that an approximate copy of a Stradivarius or Guarnerius?

This instrument was designed for a customer who wanted a great sounding instrument but who has small hands. Using the design principles of the Old Masters, it is possible to design an instrument that fits YOUR hand beautifully, and have a sound that suits your taste.   

Did you know that designing and instrument is actually based on music itself?  Working the divisions of the string into proportions and intervals makes designing the instrument an extension of music.  So your instrument is going to sound great!  Not only that, but it will look beautiful too.