Title
Master Violinmaker
Address
Brunnengasse 19, 87629 Fuessen, Germany
Firm Name
Masterviolins
State / Area
Bavaria
Telephone Number
General
Constantly on the go and on the search: for the best sound produced by the instruments that I am entrusted to work on. Or originating from the stereo system that - very sophisticated - makes the good vibes in my workshop. Always for an interesting conversation - perhaps with you. For new friends that make the difference in life. Sometimes for a spectacular view or perfect moment for a great photo. For a book of suspense or a well writen article that broaden my horizon. For a great band that plays inspiring music.
But besides all this - still for what was supposed to be serious in life.
Competence
Education:
many years of school, high school degree.
1 year chemical engineering, University Dortmund,
5 years correspondence studies electrical engineering, University Hagen,
3,5 years School of Violinmaking Mittenwald.
6 wonderful years as a journeyman in the shop of Pierre Chaubert, Fuessen.
Master's degree 1992 in Hamburg.
7 years as restorer of fine instruments at SHAR Fine Instruments in Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Self employed since 2006.
Focusing on:
Making, Restoration, special effects (CAD, CNC, 3D-scanning) and their employment in developing new restoration techniques.
Merits: Certificate of Merit 2002 Violin Society of America
4th + 5th rank at the Triennale Internazionale degli Strumenti ad Arco in Cremona, Italy.
Rarely paticipate in competitions.
My Philosophy: In making new instruments everything should be made with the highest accuracy and precision. This is the only way to achieve reproducable results. Copying historic instruments doesn't do any good if you don't understand about the function of an instrument and each of its parts. Only then and by using the best available materials one can incorporate the sound idea of the client.
As a master violinmaker I want to be a one hundred percent trustworthy person. Not only concerning about my own work, but also about the selection of accessories and instruments made by my colleagues (contemporary and old ones) that I am offering. Whatever is not good in my opinion you will not find in my shop. This is my duty as an expert in our sometimes a bit cloudy field of business.
My Musical Life
I actively play double bass. Most of the time in Jazzbands. But Pop, Rock, Funk as well. Mainly substituting but also in a few fixed formations. In addition I sustitute in classical orchestras, Folk music, in the church and so on.
One important aspect of my musical life is without doubt the good sound. I am happy to enjoy a wonderful stereo system with a tube amplifier and electrostatic loudspeakers that magically generates the most wonderful sound in my workshop. This is one of the joys in my life and also a reference for my ears concerning the sound of the instruments. I am sure this system has not yet reached its final state, every once in a while I pull the soldering gun...
In Restoration: Not every old violin was a good violin in its previous life.
Instrument I play: Double Bass
I forgot how to play: Recorder, Clarinet and Saxophone
Favorite composers:
John Zorn, Bela Fleck, Pat Metheny, Debussy, Bugge Wesseltoft
Personal (Children, Interest, ...)
Born in 1963, single, 1 son.
Sport and interests: Mountains and lakes and the bicycle! Books, music, friends and life in general.
Music: Jazz, I play in several bands. Double bass is a sports discipline as well.
Books and movies: everything that is interesting or funny.
Favorite destinations: most important is to be gone! Even on the balcony or somewhere else where nobody will find me.