The Master Workshop, where a cello is made in pure handicraft

Starting with the blocks of raw wood and finishing with a ready-to-play quality instrument, all work in my specialized cello workshop is done by hand.

It takes many years of experience to ensure that a wood block can be turned into a well sounding cello. For me, the selection of wood is very much influenced by the customer’s personal needs. What is more, the process of production is made to conform with the particular consistency of the wood.

My father has been running a tone wood business for more than 30 years. This gives me access to a very well sorted stock of matured and high quality tone woods – a unique advantage in my line of work.

In general, I tend to use beautifully flamed Bosnian maple for my instruments’ backs, ribs and necks. For the tops, slow and evenly grown mountain spruce is being used. For me, my sense of feeling and of seeing, as well as my experience, are important tools for selecting the proper wood, but modern measuring technology is equally important.

In my workshop, great emphasis is placed on keeping up and continuing the principles of my traditional handicraft. As my grandfather did before me, I carve the scroll out of the raw wood block following the old masters' artistic models. But apart from the traditional guild knowledge handed down to me, I also utilize modern technology for precision work such as attaining a tonal optimum.

Carving a scroll

Building a rib

Over the years, I have acquired a wide range of personal knowledge pertaining to my craft, and this supplies another cornerstone for my approach to work and for my efforts to achieve the ultimate in substance, puritiy and melodiousness of the sound. Varnishes are of great importance for the sound of an instrument. Therefore, following traditional recipes and using only select resins, I personally produce all varnishes that I use.

The varnish is applied by brush, layer for layer. To attain an individual appearance for each cello, I offer three different types of varnishing: full varnish, light shading and imitation antique – here, the instrument will show slight traces of use and wear.

With loving care, each cello is given a special touch. My customers have repeatedly praised the light response, the strong and full tone paired with the instrument’s inner melodiousness.

What is more, the cellos convince through their attractive pricing. In the German Musical Instruments Award competition, all jurors gave top marks for cost efficiency to my instrument.

Varnish materials

Recordings in an anechoic room