(For Musicians Who Are About to Spend Serious Money and Would Like to Sleep at Night) Choosing a professional violin is one of the most exciting — and quietly terrifying — moments in a musician’s life. You are about to spend the kind of money normally associated with used cars, kitchen renovations, or minor existential crises. And yet someone will confidently say: “Just go with your gut.” Excellent advice.If your gut has a PhD in acoustics and 20 years of concert experience.

(And Why This Is Extremely Uncomfortable for Everyone Involved) There is a quiet assumption in the violin world that deserves to be questioned politely, respectfully, and then pushed down the stairs. It goes like this: “If a violin costs £50,000, it must be extraordinary.” It might be. But it might also be… disappointing. Yes — even at this price. Let’s talk about why. 1. Price Is Not a Tone Control Knob This is the first illusion. People subconsciously imagine a direct relat

(And Why That’s Exactly What Makes Finding a Great One So Difficult) Every violin maker has heard this sentence at least once: “Can you make me another one exactly like this?” Of course. I can use the same model. The same measurements. The same tools. The same wood supplier. The same varnish recipe. And I can promise you one thing with absolute certainty: It still won’t sound the same. Not because I’m being difficult. Not because I enjoy mystery. But because nature, physics,

Spending more than £20,000 on a violin is a special moment in a musician’s life. It usually comes after years of study, many concerts, countless scales, and a quiet realisation that your current instrument is no longer keeping up with you. It is also the moment when rational thought becomes… optional. Before emotion takes full control of your credit card, here are a few things every serious musician should know. 1. You Are Not Buying Wood. You Are Buying Possibility. At this

Italian violins have always lived somewhere between reality and legend. For centuries, they have been spoken about in lowered voices, admired from a distance, and surrounded by stories that blur craftsmanship with mystery. Some of these stories illuminate the truth. Others, while entertaining, tend to distract from what truly matters. Let’s step quietly into the workshop and examine the most persistent myths — with respect for tradition, and clarity grounded in fact. Myth 1:

Buying a fine violin is not an impulse purchase. It’s closer to choosing a long-term musical partner — one that should respond to you, challenge you, and ideally not betray you during an exposed passage in front of an audience. Before committing, asking the right questions can save you from disappointment, confusion, and the quiet regret that comes from realising you should have asked just one thing more. Where and how was this violin made? This is the most fundamental questi

Cremona, Italy — the city where violins are practically born with a PhD in musicology. Makers like Stradivari, Amati, and Guarneri  perfected a craft so legendary that even the wood seems to know how to sing. But how can you tell if a violin is genuinely Cremonese, rather than “I-played-it-for-five-minutes-and-it-sounded-nice”? Here’s your guide: One: Handcrafted from Carefully Selected Tonewoods A true Cremonese violin is meticulously hand-assembled  from numerous individual

Choosing between an old violin and a new one is a rite of passage for professional players. It’s a bit like choosing between a vintage sports car and a brand-new performance model: one has history, stories, and maybe a few mysterious noises; the other promises reliability, customization, and fewer surprises from the repair shop. Both choices can lead to a successful career — and both can lead to regret if chosen for the wrong reasons. Myth vs. Reality: Does Older Automaticall

There’s something irresistible about a violin made in Cremona, Italy. Maybe it’s the centuries of history whispering through the workshop walls. Maybe it’s the way every instrument seems to come with its own secret personality. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the fact that violin makers there start their day with espresso  and finish it listening to the wood sigh with satisfaction. Whatever the reason, musicians around the world lean in a little closer when someone says “handmade