Hans Johannsson's passion for the violin started at an early age in the workshop of his grandfather, a cabinet maker in Reykjavík, Iceland. Hans finished his studies at the Newark School of Violin Making in Great Britain with a diploma of distinction under Maurice Bouette and Glen Collins (1980). In 1982 he recieved a masters diploma from the Icelandic Arts and crafts council. He has been making instruments for professionals ever since. - Read more

New Approaches to Instrument Design

New and unconventional ways are taking hold in the world of violin design and construction.

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Warming the surfaces before glueing

I rarely have spoiled glue, and I keep it out on my bench for weeks at a time. There are two things I do consistently, though. One is that my outer and inner pots both have lids, and I always put them on while the pot is still hot, on the theory that by doing that I can prevent anything growing that can't live at that temperature. Anything that comes in later will have to come through a double wall.

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String Instrument Theories

For a half century, Carleen Hutchins has been incorporating science into the art of violin making, working to recreate the standard set by the Italian masters.

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Instrumentation and the art of violin making

Keith and Ray Doerr, of Battle Creek, Mich., became involved in violin making some 55 years ago when their father, a skilled machinist, decided to make his first violin.

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