Built for Generations

Why a handmade violin can outlive its maker

A handmade violin is not designed to be replaced. Built with carefully selected materials, traditional methods and repairability in mind, it can evolve through playing, maintenance and time — and may continue its musical life for generations.

Cremona Violin Making: A Living Tradition

From wood to sound, one instrument at a time

From my workshop in Cremona, I explore what it means to make a violin today: learning from the great Cremonese tradition, selecting each piece of wood individually and shaping an instrument whose character continues to develop long after it leaves the workbench.

Why Val di Fiemme Spruce?

From the Alpine forests to my workshop in Cremona

From the forests of Val di Fiemme to my workshop in Cremona, I explore how I select resonance spruce for violin making and why grain, weight, stiffness and the individual character of each piece matter long before the instrument takes shape.

What’s Behind a Violin Maker’s Label?

A hidden but essential detail

A label is much more than a small piece of paper glued inside the soundbox of a violin, viola or cello. It is one of the most meaningful — and often misunderstood — details of Cremonese violin making.

Old or Modern Violin? What to know Before Choosing

A common question in the workshop

When a musician enters my workshop in Cremona, I am often asked: “Is an old violin better than a modern one?” There is no single answer. The choice depends on the player’s character, needs and expectations.

Stradivari vs Guarneri: A Modern Interpretation

Cremona, the heart of violin making

From Cremona, I revisit one of the most famous rivalries in violin-making history: Stradivari versus Guarneri del Gesù. This time through two contemporary instruments I made, inspired by celebrated models:

• the 1716 Stradivari “Oppenheim”

• the 1743 Guarneri del Gesù “Ex Brusilow”

Investing in Contemporary Cremonese String Instruments

Cremona, the cradle of violin making

From Cremona, one of the world’s historic centers of violin making, we look at contemporary handcrafted violins, violas and cellos that combine tradition, research and long-term value. Today’s Cremonese makers reinterpret historic models through their own varnishes, methods and personal approach, giving each instrument a distinctive identity

The Rebirth of My Viola: From Cremona to Moscow

A story of Cremonese violin making

From the historic city of Cremona, home to some of the world’s greatest violin makers, I share a special chapter of my career: the viola played by Japanese violist Sakura Tateishi. Made in 2007, this instrument received three awards at the Tchaikovsky Violin Making Competition in Moscow.

The Timeless Appeal of the “Diamante” Violin

Cremona, the credle of violin making

From Cremona, city of art and heart of the Italian violin-making tradition, I revisit a special instrument I created in 2014: the “Diamante” violin, part of a limited collection inspired by precious stones.

The Bass Bar: The Engine of Sound in String Instruments

Cremona and the legacy of the masters

From Cremona, the home of Italian violin making, I explore one of the most important components in the construction of a violin, viola or cello: the bass bar. This slender strip of wood, glued inside the top beneath the bridge foot, reinforces the soundboard and helps distribute vibrations evenly, contributing to the instrument’s stability, response and power.

The Importance of the Soundpost in String Instruments

Cremona, the city of timeless instruments

From Cremona, the home of Stradivari and the great masters, we look at the soundpost: the hidden heart of bowed string instruments. Small and almost invisible, it plays a crucial role in the response, balance and character of violins, violas and cellos.

The Cost of a Contemporary String Instrument: What Affects the Price?

Cremona, capital of violin making

From Cremona, a city synonymous with violin making, I address a question that often comes up: what determines the price of a contemporary handmade string instrument? For anyone considering a violin, viola or cello, the answer depends on factors such as craftsmanship, materials, reputation and the individual character of the instrument.

Mountain Maple: A Prized Wood in Violin Making

From Cremona to the Balcan and Carpathian forests

From Cremona, the city of Stradivari and the great Italian violin makers, I look at mountain maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), traditionally sourced from the Balkans and the Carpathians. It is one of the most valued woods in violin making, used for the backs, ribs and necks of violins, violas and cellos.

Resonance Spruce: The Ideal Wood for the Soundboard

From Cremonese tradition to the Alpine forests

From Cremona, the heart of violin making, I explore resonance spruce, one of the most important woods used for the soundboards of violins, violas and cellos. Choosing the right wood is a crucial step, as it strongly influences the instrument’s acoustic qualities, response and individual character.

Why Is Cremona the City of Violins?

A small city with an extraordinary legacy

From Cremona, in the heart of Lombardy, comes a violin-making tradition known throughout the world. The instruments of Cremonese masters such as Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù are still admired today by musicians and collectors, centuries after they were made.

Old or Modern Violin? A Violin Maker’s Perspective

What really matters when choosing an instrument

Should you choose an old violin or a contemporary one? From a violin maker’s perspective, age alone does not determine quality. Reliability, response, projection, condition and the connection between player and instrument all matter. A modern violin can offer consistency, individuality and the possibility of being shaped around the musician’s needs.

Purfling: Stability and Beauty in String Instruments

From the Cremonese tradition

From Cremona, the heart of violin making, I explore one of the most delicate stages in the construction of string instruments: purfling. It may seem like a small decorative detail, but it plays an important role in both the beauty and structural stability of a violin, viola or cello.

Direct from Cremona — My Violin Making Blog

Welcome to the heart of Cremonese violin making

Welcome to my blog dedicated to Italian violin making. From Cremona, a city at the heart of the violin-making world for more than 500 years, I share my passion for this unique craft. From my workshop, I will explore details, ideas and small insights that bring the making of bowed string instruments to life.