Bernard Ouchard, regarded as one of France’s preeminent mid-20th century bow makers, followed in the footsteps of his father, Émile Auguste Ouchard, and his grandfather, Émile Francois Ouchard, both famous bow makers. In 1941, Bernard went to Paris, where he learned his craft under the guidance of his father. They worked together until he joined …
Louis Joseph Morizot (called Morizot père), and his five sons, (Morizot frères), are reputed to be among the most important French bow makers of the twentieth century. Together, they established one of the most successful ateliers in their hometown of Mirecourt. Louis Morizot père followed in the bow-making footsteps of his grandfather Guillaume Maline (1792-1859). …
Jean-François Raffin (b. 1947) Jean-François Raffin completed his violin-making apprenticeship in Mirecourt before joining Etienne Vatelot’s Parisian workshop. In Paris, Raffin discovered his passion for bow-making and began working for Bernard Millant. He went on to open his own atelier in 1989, although he still collaborated with his mentor. Together, Raffin and Millant authored L’archet, …
Cabinet d’Archetiers – Experts Jean-François Raffin Read More »
Louis Joseph Morizot, known as Morizot père, was born 1874 in Darney, a small town in the Vosges region of France very near Mirecourt. Although his father was an iron worker his grand father was the famed bow maker Guillaume Maline. The young Louis Morizot first learned bow making in the Mirecourt atelier of Eugène …
Louis Joseph Morizot (Morizot Pere) (1874 – 1957) Read More »
Nestled on the border of Saxony and Bohemia (modern-day Czech republic), Markneukirchen was already a thriving violin-making center by the 18th century. Its remarkable output gave the region its nickname: the “Musikwinkel,” or music corner. What set Markneukirchen apart was a commitment to international commerce and a well-established luthiers’ guild, dating back to 1677, that …
The History of German Bow Making in Markneukirchen Read More »
The More You Know about the cost of a cello, the Better Your Purchasing Decisions Whether you’re just starting out or are seeking a higher-quality cello to take your playing to a new level, it’s essential that you have the right tools to make an informed decision when selecting your next instrument. Dolce Violins is fully …
While pursuing degrees in Art and Violin Performance at the University of Lowell, Raymond Melanson discovered his passion for lutherie. He enrolled at the University of Rhode Island to study bow repair and rehairing under Arnold Bone and violin repair under Hans Nebel. He continued his education at the Violin Making School of America, learning …
Have You Considered a Small Pattern 4/4 Violin? Have you found it challenging to play a full-sized violin because its dimensions don’t fit your fingers or your arm length just right? Have you tried a 7/8 size and found that it was just a bit too small and perhaps didn’t project as much as you’d …
Looking for Something a Bit Smaller than a Full-sized Violin? Read More »
How Much Should You Spend on a Violin Bow? You’ve committed so much attention to the purchase of the right violin and now you have to make a decision on a suitable bow to match. Your first question may be, “Given what I just spent on my violin, how much should I allocate to the …
How Much Do Violin Bows Cost, and How Much Should You Spend? Read More »
For over forty years, Benjamin Ruth has been prolific in his creation of fine violins, with many of his instruments featured in leading violin shops nationwide. From his studio on Boston’s North Shore, he focuses on the creation of custom instruments for active, professional musicians. Ruth’s instruments have been internationally recognized as evidenced by numerous …
