My latest violins are inspired by my grandmother's violin. My grandmother was born in 1900 and played the violin as a child. Her parents bought her a violin from Karel van der Meer in Amsterdam. From dendrological research we know that the violin was probably made in England, Flanders or the Netherlands around 1715: until recently experts were not sure. Recently, Hubert de Launay discovered 3 other violins and a viola from the same hand. It was probably made by an as yet unknown pupil of Hendrik Jacobs, Amsterdam.

Arching and plate thickness

The arching is crucial to the power, tone colours and playability of my violins. I adapt the architecture of the arching to the outline. The f-holes must fit organically into the arching of the top plate. The optimal thickness of the plates is "given" by the quality of the wood and judged by the flexibility and freedom of sound in the plates.

Choice of wood

I make my violins from well seasoned wood, often from the stock of retired luthiers. Spruce (Sitka abies) from the Alps for the top and maple (Acer pseudo platanus) from the Carpathians.