Luthier

Violin has an evolution since 14th century, it had been successfully completed by Italian master in the 18th century. Then the bow reached its perfect model by the French master. Nowaday researcher enjoys a scientific method to imitate and improve the work of the old master.


	Italian
	The two most famous luthiers in the world are undoubtedly Antonio Stradivarius (1645-1737) and Giuseppe Guarnerius (1687- 1742). Both lived and worked in Cremona. Though none of their instruments are in the original condition, they're still the most covetous musical instrument sought by collector and player. It's estimated that Stradivarius had made about 1000 instruments but only about 500 instruments survived. Mostly they are scattered in Europe and United States, some in Japan, and only one in Singapore. Eighteen century is the golden period of violin makers in Cremona. But then the secret of varnish had lost. Other famous luthiers are;
	Andrea Amati (1535-1611), the founder of Amati family Giovanni Paolo Maggini (1580-1632), a master in Brescia Nicola Amati (1596-1684), the creator of "Grand Amati Model". He is also the teacher of many 18th century Italian masters inluding Stradivarius and Guarnerius. Francesco Ruggeri (1645-1700) Giovanni Battista Rogeri * (1650-1730) Alessando Gagliano * (1660-1725) Carlo Bergonzi * (1686-1747), the famous pupil of Stradivarius Domenico Montagnana (1690-1750), a master in Venice Giambattista Guadagnini * (1711-1786) Gianni Francesco Pressenda (1777-1854)
	* Stradivarius' pupil


	Once I had met a pianist prodigy. His bride is his classmate and a violinist. To my surprise, I had found that he does not know the meaning of "Luthier" (luckily he met me before she will know about this, or perhaps she does not know too). So I think I should have an explanation for somebody.
	Me Too

French

Claude Pierray (1698-1726) French Stradivarius Francois Tourte (1747-1835) World's most famous bow maker Nicholas Lupot (1758-1824) Jean Baptist Vuillaume (1798-1875), famous imitator Georges Chanot (1801-1873) Auguste S. P. Bernardel (1802-1870) Dominique Peccattes (1810-1874)

German
Jacob Stainer (1621-1683) Stradivarius of Germany Mathias Klotz (1656-1743) a master in Mittenwald Franz Albert II Nurnberger (1854-1931), Tourte of Germany Heinrich Knopf, a bow-master in Berlin

English
Thomas Dodd (1786-1820) British Tourte

Czech
Karl Joseph Hellmer (1739-1811) Czech Stradivari

EUROPEAN	AMERICAN	OTHER
Andreas & Susanne David Ayache Dominic Excell G. Lucchi & Sons Gaspar Borchardt Giovanna Benzi Jean Grunberger Konstantin Cheptitski Mathias Behrle Paul Collins Ramon Oliveras Roberto Regazzi Silvio Levaggi Torbjorn Zetherius Vladislav Baginsky	David Gusset David Van Zandt Gregory Eckes Henry A. Strobel John Harrison John Master Joseph Curtin Peter Paul Prier William Atwood Robert Childs Thomas DeLuca David Folland	Hans Johannsson Ilja & Olaf Grawert Inokushi J. Lucien Pilon John Summers Masaru Kohno Nicholas Tipney Reid Hudson

	Luthier School

America Europe Asia

WORKSHOP

Chimneys Apprenticeship 614 Lerew Road Boiling Springs PA 17007-9500 USA Oberlin Conservatory of Music Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio 44070 U.S.A Tel. (216) 775-8044, Fax (216) 775-8942 White River Artisans School 2519 Denton Ferry Road Cotter Arkansas 72626 U.S.A. Phone: 870 430 5437, Fax: 870 430 5912

Find somebody (you know and can trust) who has a good knowledge of violin or fiddle. A professional player should be the first choice. Some amateur or collector should also be able to give you a good advice. If you can not find one go to the next step;

In case you have to make a decision for yourself, the following is a simple guideline to consider;
1. Determine your budget whether you want an instrument for practice, collection or both.
2. Go to the place where there are many instruments for you to select, they may be a maker, dealer or a second-hand shop. And don't make a decison at the first time, find out what they can offer. If it's possible test all the instruments that suit to your taste, especially if you plan to buy for collection. Don't be shy to test an instrument that is above your budget. A kind seller would be glad to let you test all the instruments he or she has. But don't forget to give a positive feed back.
3. Inspect the following in detail;

Bow Selection ©

	Though the process of bow making is not as complicated as violin making, the quality of bow is very important for anyone to express the music. Tourte had used many kinds of wood before he came to the conclusion that Pernumbuco is the best wood for making bow. Nowaday some wood has been discovered to have a better acoustic function of bow than Pernumbuco. However it's still need a few decades to prove that the quality of stick will remain or improve. Physically there are two type of bow, round and octagonal. With the same quality, the price of octagonal bow is higher. Screw up the bow botton to the maximum tension and from the upper view check the alignment of the bow that must be in straight line from button to head. Weight of bow is around 60 gram. It depends on individual's hand and favor to select light or heavy bow. The advantage you get from the heavy bow is the disadvantage you get from the lighter bow or vice versa.
	Tone production and movement control are the two major subjects to determine the quality of the bow. Use all kind of bow movement, with different pressure, bow position and speed on all the strings. Feel the difference of each bow while you test it. Also try a bow which is above your budget. The expensive bow does not always give better tone or control than the cheaper one. Luthier's name and exotic bow trimming can double the bow price twice but not the quality.
	Avoid buying a cheap bow which make from a low quality wood that will warp in a few years of playing. Better spend that money to buy a fiberglass bow which offers better quality and durability at the same price.