I have used the ‘Il Cannone’ violin, designed by Giuseppe Guarnerius 'del Gesu', as a model for building violins for many years and have successfully built several instruments of this type. The goal when creating such a violin is to produce an instrument whose sound is powerful, flexible and lightly appealing. I ensure this result by remaining in constant contact with musicians during the building process who not only appraise the violin’s sound quality but also how comfortable it is to hold and play.

In order to achieve these aims, I use, among other things, well aged, light types of wood, such as split spruce, which ensures that the sound produced by the violin carries to its optimum extent. When I create this type of violin my aim of producing a light instrument determines the components I use: a tailpiece whose centre has been hollowed out and titanium screws for the chin rest. The accessories to my violins are also made from high quality products, preferably bought from ‘Lorenz’, a company in Bubenreuth, Germany.

I coat the violins in a thin oil-based lacquer, which results in a finish which is pleasing on the eye rather than in the instrument being drowned under a thick layer of varnish. The end product is thus a replica of the ‘Cannone’ violin.