About

Dear Customer,

Thank you for considering my services as a violinmaker. Whether that is in the form of purchasing one of my violins or having your instrument repaired, I would like to introduce myself and give you a bit of my background so you may make your decision with confidence.

I have been making and repairing violins for over 15 years. My journey on this path started by graduating from the three year violin making program at Boston’s prestigious North Bennet Street School. While there I studied under Gold Medal winning maker and Chair of the Violin Society of America Marylin Wallin, noted violin dealer Roger Perrin and Boston maker Kevin Kelly. I stayed associated with the school for an additional five years after graduating while also apprenticing.

For my apprenticeship, I had the great privilege to work, one on one, under the late Master Violin Maker Arthur Toman. His tutelage brought my own making to another level. He was confident enough to allow me to work on a number of important instruments including Strads, Guarnaries, Geofrillers and Amaties. My time there was split between new construction and high-end restoration. Arthur’s making style can best be described as quiet perfection and his instruments and repairs reflected that approach.

During my eight-year association with the North Bennet Street School I studied in workshops and lectures under a humbling flow of experts including Greg Alf, David Bromberg, Joe Curtain, David Polstein, Chris Reuning, Ben Ruth, Andrew Ryan and Paul Wiessmeyer. This was a unique opportunity to enjoy such a long period of exposure to some of the prominent figures in modern violin making.

Throughout my career I have also had a deep obsession with varnish making. With a chemistry degree under my belt and a passion for researching the unknown, it was inevitable. My goals are simple - create a traditional varnish with a certain clarity, color and longevity that will enhance the tone and timbre of the instrument. This passion has led to a good friendship with Gold Medal winning violinmaker David Weibe. We have collaborated many times on making what we consider to be the nicest violin varnish anyone could enjoy applying to their violins. We have shared some very long discussions and very fruitful varnish making sessions. Violins with this varnish have now been around for over 10 years and have not shown any signs of unusual wear or unexpected crackle or gumminess.

If you ever have trouble finding me, you may assume I’m either making varnish or hiking in the White Mountains.

I hope that I can serve you in any way that I can.

Sincerely,

Joe Christian