Violin/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions on violin, viola, cello and bass making, repair and maintenance. In addition I can supply general violin values and information on instrument makers’ assuming the instrument is as labeled. I have access to many books on makers and auction prices on over 20,000 makers, as well as having 35 years of experience with selling and appriasing violins. Without having the instrument in hand, any estimate over the internet is just a guess as the label inside an instrument is more often wrong than right, so just having that information is not very useful. Pictures can sometimes be helpful but only so much, as the "feel" of the instrument along with small clues in workmanship and varnish cannot be seen in pictures. It is always best to have an instrument seen in person at a violin shop that does appraisals. I can also provide advice on bows, rosin, strings and other string instrument accesories. As I am now retired, I have no bias towards selling anything; I only wish to share my knowledge and experience by providing information for those that may be getting confused by misinformation, misdirection or conflicting statements.

Experience in the area

I am a retired violin maker and repairman with 35 years experience having worked in Chicago and Maryland at 5 different violin and music stores and in my own shop of 25 years. I am an accomplished violinist having performed with semi professional, professional as well as amateur groups. I have taught violin making to 10 students; two of which have gone on professionally and now have their own shops.

Organizations

Violin Society of America (VSA). American String Teachers Association (ASTA)

Education/Credentials

I graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in 1981 under Master Violin Maker Tschu Ho Lee. I also studied with violin maker Willis M. Gault in Washington DC from 1973-75, who was the former owner of the oldest known example of the modern violin family, an Andreas Amati Viola.

Awards and Honors

2008 Chester Petranek Award for service to the music community. ASTA award for service

Past/Present Clients

I have worked on instruments for many professional players from the DC area Symphonies as well as players from all over the US. Here are just a few, Leonard Slatkin - Former conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra. Bernard Greenhouse, Tanya Anisimova - Internationally renowned Solo Cellists. Jody Gatwood, Mark Pfannschmidt, Lori Barnet, Doug Dubé, Judy Silverman - National Philharmonic Orchestra. Robert Blatt, David Hardy, Glen Garlick - National Symphony Orchestra. David Basche, Pat Braunlich, John Knudson, Romano Solano - freelance musicians

What do you like about this subject?

My life, since I was 15, has revolved around violins and violin making. I especially enjoy sharing my knowlege and have always liked working with students to get them the perfect violin regardless of what the price range is. Even in retirement I continue educating by providing a free information only web site at http://www.violininformation.webs.com to provide factual and unbiased information.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I continue to keep up to date on instrument values, advances in string instrument acoustic studies, new instrument repair and restoration techniques as well as the new accessories that come on the market.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Violins are collectables and are priced by Who made it, When it was made, Where it was made, the Condition and lastly the Sound. This may seem odd since you purchase an instrument for its sound, but because the Condition and Sound are subjective while the Who, When and Where are not. So a poor sounding Stradivari will still be more expensive than a better sounding violin by a lesser maker.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

There have been some unethical practices in the buisness of violin making and sales, specificaly the falsification of instrument pedigrees and the kickbacks that some shops pay, and even worse, that some teachers require when recomending a violin from a specific shop.