Featured Instruments:

Jan's Custom-made Instruments

"The Sound and the Beauty"

PLEASE HIT THE REFRESH BUTTON.
WE ADD NEW MATERIAL REGULARLY. THANKS!

Camille Clement Gregg, Jacksonville FL, wrote (2008): "There should be a gallery to show everyone your artwork. But then again, you have a living museum on concert stages everywhere!"

Jan posts pictures of his latest violins in his photo albums on Facebook. See them at Jan's Facebook.

Since 2006 Gainesville Violins has been so organized that Jan could begin to produce his custom-made instruments on a much larger scale. These instruments are available only by special order. You can commission one without any obligation to purchase it: The instrument may be returned in its original condition within a specified time after you received it for a 100% refund of any deposited amount.

JOSHUA BELL WRITES that Jan's violins compare favorably to fine old Italian violins!

READ MORE BELOW.

PICTURES ABOVE: Jan H van Rooyen visiting with Joshua Bell after making a copy of the late Mischa Elman's violin for him.

A few associates or co-workers help Jan to get started with the initial work. However, all the decisive acoustical crafting is done solely by Jan. He models his violins on Stradivari or Guarneri del Gesu ideas and his aim is to produce a beautiful, antiqued work of art that looks as if it is 250 years old, using exceedingly aged tonewoods and his own "1704"-based Italianate varnish. The major feature, of course, is tone: Jan creates an instrument with a customized rich, mature and powerful tone that rivals that of fine old Italian instruments. [Please make sure to visit this entire page also.]

JOSHUA BELL

NEW YORK, NY

Joshua Bell in performance.

JOSHUA BELL wrote to Jan in January, 2008:

"I am delighted with the violin you made for me. I am proud to add it to my small but elite collection of violins which includes the famous 1713 Gibson ex-Huberman Stradivarius. Your violin is powerfully resonant yet possesses a sweet and pleasing tone. It is wonderful to know that one can find a modern violin like this that compares favorably to a fine old Italian violin. I will definitely recommend your instruments to aspiring students and professionals alike. Thanks a million, Jan, for your dedication and quality craftsmanship!"

FOUR PICTURES ABOVE: The copy of Mischa Elman's 1735 Stradivarius that Jan made for Joshua Bell. [Scroll down to see more of Jan's custom-made violins.]

Jan H van Rooyen, violin-

maker, in his workshop.

Joshua Bell records and

Please visit Amazon.com

performs extensively.

(link below) and see!

Click here to hear Joshua Bell play (2'58"):

Now you will want to buy some of Joshua Bell's CD's and MP3's! To do that, click here: Amazon: Joshua Bell. Also visit Joshua Bell's website www.joshuabell.com.

MARCH 22, 2008: JOSHUA BELL CONCERT IN ORLANDO, FL: After the rehearsal with the orchestra, Joshua calls on Jan to fix his violin! Jan brought no tools. Jan rushes to Publix to buy supplies to MAKE ersatz tools, then sets out to work on Josh's 1713 Stradivarius, 30 minutes before the concert starts. Jan tests the violin. Josh tests it. Josh is happy. Jan is happy. Here are some pictures that Anna took of the event:

Joshua Bell went on to give a most brilliant, passionate and stirring rendition of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto (with his own cadenza) to a full-house Bob Carr Auditorium (2,500 people).

Get Bell's Mendelssohn CD's here.

(Pictures and quotation used with permission.)

ANOTHER COMMENT ON JAN'S WORK IN TERMS OF VALUE-FOR-MONEY:

On 11/3/2009 Jan was surprized to read the following entirely unsolicited post on the Internet: Read the post. Here follows an excerpt:

"With violin prices being what they are, one can get a fine hand-made instrument today for less than a mediocre 19th century instrument.

"Our aim is to look at ten of the top violin makers today. Some represent value, others quality and expertise, and some innovation. This is not specifically a rating of any of the makers, its too complex to account for variations between instruments to attempt anything like that, but more an exploration of what they do and where their instruments are ending up.

"Master maker Jan van Rooyen produces truly amazing hand-made violins at very reasonable prices, considering the custom nature of his instruments. He has a very loyal following, even Joshua Bell owns one."

Stephan Fillare

Stetson University

DeLand, FL

STEPHAN FILLARE COMMISSIONED A VIOLIN FROM JAN IN 2007, WHILE HE WAS A STUDENT OF DR HAROLD LEVIN IN ORLANDO, FL. Jan made him a violin inspired by the 1719 Louis Vuitton "Zahn" Stradivarius which is on loan to Laurent Korcia in Paris. Stephan emailed Jan in 2008:

"I would like to talk to you about my violin. It is absolutely fabulous, truly an amazing instrument! I couldn't be happier. Everyone from school to orchestra to my private teacher just loves its sound and power, and many are even envious, hahaha! Of course I have named it 'Louis Vuitton'.

"I am happy to let you know that I got into Stetson University in DeLand, FL. I will be studying with Routa Kroumovitch, who was a student of David Oistrakh. Amazing!

"I am much indebted to you and I wish you the very best. From your musical comrade and fellow Leonard Bernstein fan - Stephan Fillare."

[Stephan and Jan are both huge fans of the late Leonard Bernstein.]

PICTURES: Stephan Fillare and his copy of the "Zahn" Stradivarius in Jan's workshop.

STEPHEN SIMS, CLEVELAND, OH

In late 2007, Jan custom-made a Guarneri copy for Dr Stephen Sims, faculty member at the "Sato Center for Suzuki Studies" at the Cleveland Institute of Music since 2004. In March 2008, Dr Sims wrote:

"I gave my first of three sonata recitals last night, and the instrument allowed me to do more than I have ever been able to before - I love playing it; it is truly fabulous. It is so much fun to play because it is so responsive. I am amazed at how easy it is to play in all registers. I am showing it to everyone I can and getting great feedback on it."

The feedback has indeed been amazing.

Dr Sims's wife, Kimberly Meier-Sims, Director of the Sato Center for Suzuki Studies in Cleveland OH, wrote: "Jan, I am spreading the word in my studio regarding your craftsmanship. Stephen is so enjoying your violin."

Nicolette Solomon (Dallas Suzuki Institute) reported shortly after Stephen's purchase: "Stephen Sims called me about his new instrument from you, but since I was in Chicago, he spoke with Carl. He is crazy about your violin!"

Out of the blue, Marietta Brits, a friend in Columbus OH, wrote: "On Sunday we happened to attend a concert in the home of cellist Cora Kuywenhoven here in Columbus. She played with one Dr Stephen Sims from Cleveland, who spoke with great enthusiasm about his new violin from Gainesville! He played the Bach Chaconne on it. The violin has a beautiful clear sound. Bravo! It was an excellent testimonial to your craftsmanship, and I think that you have a great ambassador in Stephen."

Joseph (Joey) Brown

Chesapeake, VA

JOEY BROWN of Chesapeake VA commissioned Jan to make him a Guarneri del Gesu copy. After long discussions together, they decided on the violin known as the Ex Ole Bull. (Ole Bull was a famous Norwegian violinist, see picture above right.) However, Joey wanted the appearance of the violin modified. On the left are the Photoshop sketches that Jan made during the negotiations.

As Jan progressed, he was almost daily in contact with Joey. On the left are two of the many pictures that Jan sent Joey to report on progress.

Please read Joey's entire report at the end of this section of this web page!

LEFT: Gouging out the underside of the fingerboard.

RIGHT: The violin's two labels.

Drying one of the 12 layers

of varnish under a fan.

Joey Brown's completed violin.

Three pictures on the left: 1. Joey wonders when his violin will arrive.

2. Joey hugging a tree (Anna and Jan are tree-huggers). 3. Joey looking out for the UPS man.

Two pictures: Joey playing

his new violin.

JAN ASKED JOEY FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON HIS VIOLIN. JOEY WROTE:

"Dear Jan: Here is my first report on my new violin:

"The double stops in the Bruch concerto sound better than ever. There is a very loud differential tone audible during double stops that I hear only on this violin. My private teacher tried to explain to me that this tone can only be heard on very high quality violins, and that she personally had not heard this in person prior to my violin.

"The G-string is extremely powerful and has an amazing tone, dark and deep. I LOVE playing in position now. Before, I was hesitant playing in the high positions on the G-string, because I was scared of losing tone quality. But this violin sounds unbelievable no matter how high on the G-string. This string is now my personal favorite.

          "The D-string is also very dark and powerful. Regarding the A- and E-strings, the sweetness of these two upper strings amazes me. I love to play from the dark deep sound on the G-string and go on to the most incredibly sweet and beautiful tone on the E-string.
          "The violin is extremely powerful and projecting. The tone never ‘breaks’ when I play fff in any position on any of the 4 strings.
          "You asked me whether there are any improvements that I could suggest. Well, as you know, I am very critical and picky, and yet my answer is a resounding, ‘None at all!’
          "I ‘tested’ your violin against Joshua Bell’s recording of the Bruch concerto. They compare very well! Especially the opening of the first movement much reminds me of my new violin. Another recording is Anne-Sophie Mutter's Sibelius Violin Concerto. Her violin sounds much like the power and quick response of the Van Rooyen violin I now own. All three these violins rank a solid 10/10 in my opinion.
         "Upon commissioning you to make my dream violin, I honestly had no idea that it could have turned out as good as it did. I couldn't have asked for more and could't be happier. I love this violin!
          "Regarding the looks/cosmetics of the violin, it is simply the best-looking violin that I have ever seen. It is everything I have ever wanted in a violin both cosmetically and tonally. The multiple layers of varnish make this violin, when placed in the light of a concert hall, shine and dance with movement. This is something that cannot be captured in a picture.
         "Your antiquing of this violin is stunning. I cannot tell you how many times people have asked me how old it is, and to watch their facial expressions when I tell them that it was made in 2008, is quite funny. They are totally blown away that this 250-year-old looking instrument was made less than six months ago.
         "Jan, I cannot thank you enough. You have been there for me day in and day out throughout the whole making process; you answered questions, asked me for my true opinions and actually listened to every little detail I wanted in my dream violin. I couldn't be happier with my violin, and again, thank you for putting up with me over the weeks and weeks of communication. Your service was amazing and you became much more than my luthier - you became my friend through this process, listening to me and providing every detail I could ever imagine in my dream violin.
         "I cannot wait to play this violin throughout my college years, and I know it will be more than capable of surpassing the expectations in any audition or jury I will ever have in the future. I know that I will have this violin until the day I die. I don't plan on selling this one or getting a new one ever. I would find it hard even if I wanted to sell, considering that one should never downgrade when purchasing a violin. I know that this is the last violin that I will ever purchase.

"I hope that this violin will be pleasing someone just as much as me 200 years from now, singing to the far corners of many of the world's greatest concert halls. Thanks again, Jan.- Joey Brown."

Taryn Kunisaki

Honolulu, HI

Taryn named her violin "Dragon Heart".

TARYN KUNISAKI, ex-student of Dr Stephen Sims (see the section above Taryn's) at the Cleveland Institute of Music, is petite and needed a violin with a powerful sound that projects well, so Jan custom-made a 7/8-size Guarneri del Gesu model for her in 2008.

Taryn Kunisaki with Dragon Heart,

her 7/8-size Guarneri. Her former

teacher, Dr Stephen Sims, wrote:

"Taryn's new violin is indeed remarkable."

TARYN wrote: "Jan, I love the deep rich tone of the violin that you made for me and I am amazed at the volume and quality of sound that such a smaller-sized violin can produce. I can put all of my weight into the violin. This size is really easy for me to play. I love the color and appearance of the violin, too!

"My teacher, Dr Stephen Sims, is very happy with my new instrument. Thank you so much once again for making the violin for me. I hope to see you quite soon in Cleveland! - Love, Taryn."

TARYN's MOTHER, DR SUSAN KUNISAKI FROM HONOLULU, HAWAII, WROTE:

"Jan, I am floored and in awe of your special ability to discern and exactly match your customer's personality to their new instrument. It is a heaven-sent gift. I have heard stories of Native American flute makers who will 'match' the flute to a person's personality. However, I think that your abilities go even farther and deeper, with an unlimited breadth. I was fascinated when you talked about how you go about making a violin for people, but I know that there is much, much more which cannot be put into words. I am very pleased and honored to have met you, Jan! You touch the hearts and souls of musicians who were fortunate enough to hear about you and come to you. By making a violin for the person, you already have made a difference for that person and for all those who will still hear 'your heart and soul' which you poured so passionately into the violin during its making."

LEFT: Taryn's parents presented Jan with an exquisite hand-made Japanese carving instrument. It is busy communicating many ancient secrets to Jan!

MORE FROM TARYN's MOTHER ON 7/2/2008:

"Taryn had her first lesson this past Sunday on Dragon Heart with her violin teacher, Judy, who is the Associate Concertmaster of the Honolulu Symphony. First thing Judy did was to pluck the strings ... her reaction was TOTAL AMAZEMENT! And when she played on Dragon Heart, she just could not believe what she heard and felt!"

Little Dragon Heart, given

to Jan by Taryn.

SCOTT GREGG

JACKSONVILLE, FL

In 2007 Jan completed a copy of the "D'Egville" Guarneri del Gesu for Maestro Scott Gregg, Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and himself a member of Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and a violin teacher.

Maestro Scott Gregg.

SCOTT WROTE TO JAN:

"I spent a couple of hours with the violin after you left on Friday. I conducted a JSO concert this morning so I was able to bring it to the hall and try it out with two of my colleagues, both listening while I played and playing while I listened.

"What an amazing accomplishment you have achieved. From a cosmetic point of view, I looked closely at photos of the real del Gesu upon which you modeled this instrument. It is really uncanny how close you got. The grain, varnish, wear patterns are all amazingly close, right down to certain specific pock marks in the right places. You have a clever eye and hand, my friend. It is truly a beautiful piece.

"Now, for sound. The E was always sweet and powerful. The G was gutsy and 'bloody'. There are very complex overtones in the violin that contribute to that gutsy-colored sound that is so great. My colleagues both gave a yelp when first playing it for the firepower that it has. You have opened the eyes of several more pros in Jacksonville as to what is possible here in our own backyard."

LEFT: Scott Gregg conducting the massed Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2007.

JAN'S GUARNERI DEL GESU vs THE REAL THING: A TEST

Johannes Brahms.

Joseph Joachim.

RIGHT: The 1742

"Ex-Soldat" Guarneri del Gesu.

Scott Gregg emailed Jan on 3/20/2008 about a world-famous violinist who had recently soloed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. This artist performs on one of the great examples from Guarneri del Gesu, the 1742 "Ex-Soldat". This is the violin that Johannes Brahms himself had picked out for the pioneer female violinist, Marie Soldat, a student of the great Joachim. Soldat was a frequent chamber music partner with the composer; as the guest artist put it, "this particular violin JAMMED with Brahms!" Scott continued:

"So, during a break we went to her dressing room and I showed her my 'Van Rooyen Del Gesu' to compare it with her real one. We swapped fiddles and she played the opening of the Brahms on it and also on her 'ex-Soldat'. At first, I really had to concentrate to detect any difference between the two on the two lower strings; both were dark and powerful. There was perhaps some more openness and brilliance on the A and E strings on the 'Ex-Soldat', something that may change over time with a new instrument. After playing my 'Van Rooyen Del Gesu', our artist smiled broadly and said 'Very, very nice! Pretty close!'

"Of course, she wasn't offering to trade instruments, mind you, but then again, I didn't have to shell out $3.5 million for mine. Perhaps time to raise your price tag? :-). All in all I would say you successfully 'channeled' Guarneri himself with this instrument. Congrats, Jan!"

Marie Soldat and her Guarneri del Gesu

Marie Soldat (1863-1955) was widely considered one of the greatest violinists of her day. She studied the Brahms Violin Concerto with both Joachim and Brahms, and it became her signature piece. Soldat (later Soldat-Röger) became a member of Brahms's inner circle and a regular chamber music partner of his. Their friendship continued throughout his life.

Brahms selected this 1742 Guarneri del Gesu violin for Soldat in 1897, and arranged for a wealthy Viennese businessman to purchase it and loan it to her for her lifetime. The Strad magazine remarked in 1910 that "…[it] bears most of the characteristics we have learnt to associate with this maker in a remarkable degree. The tone is of extraordinary beauty and suits the violinist's virile style admirably … The tone is full and rich, and noticeably deep on the G string. [The entire] fiddle seem[s] to breathe life and strength."

After Marie Soldat passed away, the violin was sold to a collector and not heard for many years. The present violinist has been using it since 2002.

(Compiled from various Internet sources.)

Rachel Barton Pine and the

"Ex-Soldat" Guarneri del Gesu

The instrument which Rachel Barton Pine plays is one of the most important in the world, the "ex-Soldat" violin made in 1742 by Guarneri del Gesu. (See story, above.)

To prepare for her GRAMMY-nominated 2003 Cedille recording of the Brahms and Joachim violin concertos, Rachel intensely researched the musical relationship between Johannes Brahms and violinist Joseph Joachim. Just as for Marie Soldat, the Brahms has become Rachel's signature concerto. Listen to it here and purchase it, plus her other recordings, here.

Rachel Barton Pine made her earliest appearances with the Chicago

The "Ex-Soldat" Guarneri del Gesu.

Rachel Barton Pine.

SymphonyOrchestra at age 10 and 15 and won numerous national and international competitions while still in her teens. The youngest person (at age 17) and first American to win a gold medal at the prestigious 1992 JS Bach International Competition in Leipzig, Germany, she also won top prizes in the Szigeti (Budapest), Paganini (Genoa), Queen Elisabeth (Brussels), Kreisler (Vienna), and Montreal international violin competitions.

Rachel’s passion for guiding the future of music has led her to create the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation, a charitable organization to expand awareness of and appreciation for classical music. Current projects include an instrument loan program, and grants for education and career.

MICHAEL FERRI

CLEVELAND, OH

This section contains only a small part about Michael. Click here to view his entire page!

In 2006 Jan was commissioned to make a copy of the 1742 "Heifetz" Guarneri del Gesu for Michael Ferri who is currently studying with Paul Kantor at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

"Full-bodied ... like a good

vintage red wine."

PICTURES ABOVE: Michael Ferri and the 1742 "Heifetz"
Guarneri del Gesu copy that Jan made for him.

INDEPENDENT COMMENTATOR:

MAXWELL NGAI (picture at right) is a professional violinist and violin teacher in Vancouver BC, Canada, who had studied Violin Performance and Baroque Violin at the St Louis Conservatory and Indiana University. He wrote to Jan on 8/24/2008:

"The 'Heifetz' violin that you made for Michael Ferri has a full-bodied clarity, even in fast passages, and the tone is very pure, like a good vintage red wine. Stay with what you are doing, Jan, you've got it right. - Max Ngai."

This section contains only a small part about Michael. Click here to view his entire page!

JUSTIN SUTTON, BOULDER, CO

In December 2007 Jan completed and delivered in person another copy of the 1742 "Heifetz" Guarneri del Gesu for Justin Sutton who is studying with private teachers as well as at the School of Music of the University of Colorado in Boulder. Justin wrote:

"Dear Jan: I have my violin sitting in front of me right now and in terms of cosmetics my violin looks like a real antique and well-worn 1742 Guarnerius del Gesu (GREAT!), the detail and beauty of which is amazing. I have looked through many websites and to be honest not even one other violin looks as good as mine.

"The tone quality became magnificent after you tweaked it on location and the violin 'relaxed' and adapted itself to the new climate. Projection and power couldn't be better.

"The action is easy to play and I'm getting more and more used to it all the time. "The value for money could not be better, and your service and care are incredible! All my teachers love it (same as me); I LOVE MY VIOLIN!!!

"With love and praise - Justin."

Completion of a custom violin takes 6-10 weeks. Thereafter a lot of time is spent on micro-adjusting its acoustical properties (voicing the violin) in order to achieve just the right sound.

These violins are eminently suitable for serious professional concerto performance.
Prices are available upon request ... contact Jan.

SINCE 2007: ON SPECIAL REQUEST FROM TEACHERS AND PARENTS OF GIFTED CHILDREN, JAN AND ASSOCIATES CUSTOM-MAKE FRACTIONAL SIZES AS WELL! SCROLL DOWN FOR PICTURES AND CONTACT JAN FOR INFORMATION ON TURN-AROUND TIME AND PRICING.

LIKEWISE, YOU CAN COMMISSION JAN TO MAKE YOU A MONTAGNANA COPY CELLO. CONTACT HIM NOW.

[Keep scrolling down! >>>]

Yefim Romanov

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

YEFIM WROTE:

"Dear Jan: Your cosmetic treatment of the violin is astounding. It truly looks like a 250-year-old Italian masterpiece. I know that the antiqued, distressed appearance is your 'signature' and I love it. It is the most beautiful violin that I have ever seen. But, more importantly, its sound is breathtaking. It is ultra-powerful with fantastic projection, has a somewhat dark timbre with great resonance, speaks easily and immediately, has great sweetness (even on all the open strings) and ringing harmonics as well as artificial harmonics. The upper register on the E-string is gratifyingly penetrating yet it retains its sweetness and never becomes shrill. I am very grateful that I had a chance to play on both my violin and the 'Mischa Elman' that you made for Joshua Bell. All the violins that I played before, even though they were very good, still sounded like student violins, but with THIS violin I feel like I am a true professional violinist. It sounds like a really great Stradivarius. Thank you Jan! - Yefim."

		LEFT: The copy of a 1710 Stradivarius that Jan made for Yefim Romanov during the summer of 2007. (Yefim double-majors in pre-med and violin performance at the University of Florida.)
	LEFT TWO PICTURES: Yefim's first sight of the new violin. He stares speechless. Then he picks it up, turns around and starts to play the Tchaikowsky violin concerto.	ABOVE: The violin's facsimile Strad label.
		FAR LEFT: The Strad's scroll, side view. LEFT: The scroll, top view.
		FAR LEFT: Yefim in Jan's workshop. LEFT: *Yefim trying out his new "Strad". He could not stop playing. Finally he turned to Jan and said quietly, "I like it". Jan started breathing again.*
		FAR LEFT: Strad varnishing. LEFT: Side view of Yefim's new "Strad". The wide and daring f-holes are Jan's signature and are not typical of Stradivari's work.

TOP LEFT: Nina Patrusheva was Yefim's

private violin teacher in Kazakhstan.

TOP RIGHT: Lev Gurevich taught Yefim

when the latter lived in Orlando.

ABOVE: Yefim and Lev.

Yefim in 2002. Yefim in 2007.

YEFIM ROMANOV, Russian by birth, immigrated to the USA in 2002 and became a student of Lev Gurevich in Orlando. He rushed to Gainesville Violins to buy a fine Panis Angelicus violin. Yefim has been a frequently heard soloist in the Orlando area. In April 2004 he was the featured soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando, performing Violin Concerto No 2 in D minor by Henryk Wieniawski. He was also Concertmaster of the Orlando Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2007 he commissioned a custom-made Stradivarius model from Jan.

NICOLETTE SOLOMON, DALLAS, TX

JAN HAS MADE A NUMBER OF CUSTOM ANTIQUE COPIES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS AT THE SUZUKI INSTITUTE OF DALLAS. AFTER JOSUA BELL BOUGHT JAN'S VIOLIN (see story, above), NICOLETTE SOLOMON (Executive Director and Strings Specialist at the Suzuki Institute of Dallas, TX) WROTE:

"Jan: You are famous. I cannot imagine ever not having 'Gainesville Violins', as it is the best violin shop in the whole world, for everybody from Twinklers to Ernst's 'Erlkonig'. You have made my students what they are, because their instruments do them justice. Crista Guthrie recently played the Bach A Minor in Santa Fe NM and her violin, a custom-made 1/2-size by you, outshone all the full-sizes in the same concert. You are brilliant and exceptional, and certainly your coming to America had a lot to do with it. Love, Nicolette."

WHEN A SMALL-SIZED CUSTOM-MADE VIOLA ARRIVED FOR HER STUDENT M, NICOLETTE WROTE:

"Jan, The arrival of M's viola brought more joy and tears of joy than you can ever imagine. She is playing beautifully on it and is working on making a DVD for you. Your viola put a new spark in her playing and personality. The joy! I'll keep you posted on her progress, as this is going to be life-changing for her. Love you lots for the good work that you and Anna do. I am extremely grateful. You have affected the lives of my precious students. - Nicolette."

CUSTOM-MADE FRACTIONAL-SIZED INSTRUMENTS:

FOUR PICTURES: Jan with a custom-made 1/32-size violin. The violin was inspired by the instrument in the "The Red Violin" movie, which was made by the fictitious character Nicolo Bussotti. (2007.)

FIVE PICTURES: On April 2, 2008, Jan completed a one-eighth-size violin for a gifted kid up North, commissioned by the parents.

LEFT: The 1/8-size violin's back.

BELOW FROM L TO R: Top middle bout; scroll.

LAST ROW: The two labels, one under each f-hole.

JOHN HENRY KRUER, ROCHESTER, NY

IN 2007 JAN MADE A COPY OF PAGANINI'S 1742 "IL CANNONE" GUARNERI DEL GESU VIOLIN FOR JOHN HENRY KRUER (Eastman School of Music '11, Applied Music - Violin). JOHN HENRY WROTE:

"Jan, The Il Cannone violin that you made for me is a beautiful violin with a lot of red, dark varnish. It certainly resembles the violin that once belonged to Paganini, however I think that your copy may look more stunning than the real thing! It is easy to draw a clear ringing sound from it, resulting in a large vibrant but dark tone. It is a great value for the money it costs- I've heard many more expensive and older instruments that sound much less remarkable. All my teachers agree that it beats my old Chanot French violin. And as always, your service and support make choosing a violin a pleasure-filled experience. Thanks so much, Jan, for helping me to be able to play such a great instrument!"

On 11/14/2007 John Henry wrote some more:

"You seem to be doing what you like: making violins. That is a good thing! I've heard several comments from other students here about how good my violin sounds ... unfortunately, none of the other students seems to be in the market for a new violin right now, but at least it's good to know that your work is making a good impression".

SULIMAN TEKALLI, COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY, GA

JAN MADE A SIMILAR COPY OF PAGANINI'S 1742 "IL CANNONE" GUARNERI DEL GESU VIOLIN FOR SULIMAN TEKALLI IN ORLANDO FL. AFTER PLAYING THE BRAHMS VIOLIN CONCERTO ON IT (IN 2007), SULIMAN WROTE:

"Jan, The copy of the 'Il Cannone' violin you made for me is so beautiful and pleasing to look at - both up close and from afar. I love its look of antiquity. The tonal quality is marvelous. It has a directness that appeals very much to me. The violin also has a lot to give by way of projection, which may actually be its best feature. It is very powerful! The action of this violin was a little bit of a puzzle to understand and control at first (which is, I believe, also true of the real 'Il Cannone'), but once one learns the violin's peculiarities, nothing stands in the way of a fantastic production of sound. I've always been very pleased with your help in tweaking my violins whenever they needed it and the same is true of this one. I've received many compliments on the quality and power of its sound and its esthetical beauty. Lots of thanks once again!" [This is the fourth violin from Gainesville Violins that Suliman has owned since his first full-size ... and it may well be his last! The violin should give several lifetimes of professional playing at the highest level.]

ERIC D'ALESSANDRO, ST PETERBURG, FL

JAN MADE A VIOLIN AFTER THE 1734 "HADDOCK" GUARNERI DEL GESU FOR ERIC D'ALESSANDRO (ST PETERSBURG, FL), ALSO IN 2007. ERIC WROTE:

"Jan, Thank you so much for this amazing violin! I love its red color and antique appearance - exactly what I wanted. I've gotten comments from others too about how amazing it looks. Its tone is completely clear and very powerful - mainly in terms of projection, because it also sounds very pleasing under the ear (not raw or too loud). The violin's action and playability are extremely comfortable. It speaks immediately; it is very easy to pull sound out of the instrument. It is totally responsive to dynamics and lends itself to a myriad of tone colors. You have been very caring and kept regular contact with me throughout the entire making period, keeping me informed as to progress. I appreciate the time and enormous effort that you put into this violin. My teacher is also completely happy with and enthusiastic about it. Thank you very much once again!"

Andrew Blocker Jacksonville, FL

ANDREW BLOCKER has been a loyal customer of Gainesville Violins since he obtained his first 1/4-size violin from us. By 2007 he needed a full-size instrument; he had become concertmaster of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra's "Premiere Strings " under the direction of Marguerite Richardson. He commissioned a custom-made violin from Jan and Jan made him a red violin based on the famous "Ysaye" Guarneri del Gesu. (See picture of Eugene Ysaye, top right).

Andrew admires his new violin.

Andrew plays in Jan's workshop.

Andrew's "Ysaye" Guarneri del Gesu.

ANDREW WROTE:

"Jan, I absolutely love my new violin. It looks and sounds magnificent. It possesses an amazing tone quality for each and every style of music that I play. It is very powerful; its sound can fill Jacoby Symphony Hall easily. Its playability is perfect and it feels amazingly comfortable on my shoulder and under my fingers. I would buy another one of your violins in a heartbeat! My violin was made with lots of love and it shows when I play it. My violin teachers and orchestra conductors over the years have always loved my violins from you."

ANDREW CONTINUED:

"Thanks for your friendship. You and Anna always greet me with a smile, welcome me into your home and treat me like family. I was extremely lucky to get to know you two. I would recommend 100% of instrumentalists looking for a fine stringed instrument to go to you!"

(All pictures taken in 2008.)

Jacoby Hall, Jacksonville FL.

[MORE PICTURES AND FURTHER COMMENTS TO FOLLOW - WATCH THIS PAGE!]