Passion

While growing up in his birthplace Meppel (Netherlands) he receives his first cello lessons at the age of 8. His love for stringed instruments is born. He has been member of many ensembles and the youth orchestra of the local music school. Music is not his only passion. He also starts with wood working: creating small oak boxes with fine wood carving following the Frisian tradition. Hans-Peter continues his education in Utrecht, where he earns a PhD in physical chemistry. In Utrecht he plays the cello in several student orchestra and is board member of some of them (USKO, KOSMU). After receiving his PhD, he moves to Venlo to work for Océ (later Canon) in several positions ranging from R&D to strategic and product marketing. In Venlo too, you can find him playing the cello in several ensembles and orchestra.

There, the wish to build his own instruments is born. He learns the craft from Bernhard Zanders Geigenbau in Nettetal. He starts with building a violin for his son. Later this followed by a violin for his wife and a cello for himself. Many of his skills find their place in building violins: accuracy in working the wood that carries the tone and beauty by nature, as well as the intellectual challenge to design and create fine instruments. He decides to start his own business as violin maker.

He builds instruments that meet the highest tonal and technical requirements. Musicians praise his instruments for playability and wide range of colours.

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Branding

Hans-Peter’s instruments are branded with the image of a horsefly. The Dutch name for this irritating insect is “daas”, which happens to be his last name, although there is no relation between his last name and a horsefly. The brand mark can be found inside the instrument on the back plate visible through the f-hole alongside the label, on the top plate and on the neck block.

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