Making New Instruments

Detailed Craftsmanship…

Applied Artistry…

Continual Learning…

…For Your Best Sound

Mike’s primary work is making new violins, violas, and cellos.

This work involves many steps from wood selection, through carving and assembling the components, to varnishing, and finally to setup.

2025’s learning focus was varnish and antiquing. The pursuit of a clear luminous varnish and realizing and visually appealing wear is never ending and has made a big step forward in 2025.

Mike works hard to give his instruments a “buttery sound and feel”… that sense you get the first time you apply a bow to the strings that the violin is easy to play and produces a wonderful broad tone. A great setup of the nut, fingerboard, bridge and sound post is super important to this. The details of arching, graduations, wood preparation and even varnish all contribute, as well.

The never ending opportunity to learn more and get better at the many steps is the attraction of this detailed work.