Gallery
Gallery
Violins, violas and cellos made for you by an experienced musician, player and luthier
Violins, Violas and Cellos
handmade and finished in oil glazes and varnishes by Alan McGeoch.
This is a selection of my own handmade instruments and models. Also included here are fractional sizes - again, all handmade - to give the greatest playing opportunity for all. If there is a particular model or size you want, please ask and I'll be happy to help you. If you are viewing this gallery on a mobile phone, the relevant instrument pictures appear below the contact button.
Violin influenced by
Antonio Stradivari c1709
Influenced by one of Stradivari’s great Golden Period violins, the ‘Viotti’, this violin plays freely with a quick response. An instrument that sits well in ensemble – orchestral and chamber alike – it nevertheless has a certain amount of solistic sparkle and projection. Finished in oil glazes and varnishes over a golden ground, with some shading and wear pattern, this violin has a two-piece back.
Recommendation: “This violin would be most enjoyable to play my Baroque repertoire on”
Ask for VNAS1709/07
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Recommendation: “This violin would be most enjoyable to play my Baroque repertoire on”
Ask for VNAS1709/07
Violin influenced by
Antonio Stradivari ‘Titian’ 1715
From the middle of the second decade of the eighteenth century – when he was already well-advanced in years – Stradivari's instruments were still meticulously made and this model, the ‘Titian’ is no exception. Influenced by this instrument, my violin is finished with attractively shaded oil glazes and varnishes over a golden ground. The back - a partially slab cut, in one piece - may contribute to the tone of the instrument.
Ask for VNAS1715/10
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Ask for VNAS1715/10
Violin influenced by
Guarnerius del Gesu ‘Lord Wilton’ 1742
From the mature years of Guarneri del Gesu's output this instrument delivers a rich and complex sound with plenty of projection. Finished and shaded in brown/red oil glazes and varnishes, with a one piece back, the violin is responsive and resonant under the hand.
Recommendation: “I really enjoyed playing your violin at your studio, thank you for the piano accompaniment! The violin was extremely easy to play and I could hardly believe how little effort was required to reveal the impressive tonal range of this lovely instrument.”
Ask for VNDGD1742/17
Recommendation: “I really enjoyed playing your violin at your studio, thank you for the piano accompaniment! The violin was extremely easy to play and I could hardly believe how little effort was required to reveal the impressive tonal range of this lovely instrument.”
Ask for VNDGD1742/17
Violin after Pietro Guarneri of Mantua
1704
This instrument was influenced by a violin made by the meticulous and highly accomplished Pietro Guarneri of Mantua during the late Baroque period. He was arguably the best craftsman of all the Guarneri family violin makers, and that includes Guarneri del Gesu, the one we know best nowadays.
While violins by Pietro Guarneri are touted as excellent choices for chamber music, I and many others would agree that their appeal is far wider than that.
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While violins by Pietro Guarneri are touted as excellent choices for chamber music, I and many others would agree that their appeal is far wider than that.
Ask for VNPG1704/28
Violin, three quarter size - own model
Made to the same exacting specifications as my full-sized instruments, with the same care, this smaller violin model is designed to deliver a great sound with excellent projection. Those who have played it and my other fractional instruments have often been pleasantly surprised to find that this indeed is true. Fitted with Wittner fine-tune pegs to pave the way for independence in instrument tuning from an early age, it also comes with hypo allergenic chinrest, carbon weave bow and case.
This violin is available for rental or purchase.
Ask for VNAMVM34/16
This violin is available for rental or purchase.
Ask for VNAMVM34/16
Violin, seven eighth size, own model
Made to the same exacting specifications as my full-sized instruments, with the same care, this smaller violin model is designed to deliver a great sound with excellent projection. With a string length approximately half way between that of three-quarter and full sized violins, this violin gives the player with a slightly smaller hand and/or reach, the same opportunities as those players using a standard full size string length, making it a good option for the aspiring player, younger or older alike
This violin is available for rental or purchase.
Ask for VNAMVM78/23
This violin is available for rental or purchase.
Ask for VNAMVM78/23
Viola 15 ½ inches influenced by Gasparo da Salo c1580
Despite its small size and comfortable string length, this viola has a rich and warm tone and is flexible with good dynamics and fast response. With a one-piece back for further mellowness, the instrument is finished in red madder oil glazes and varnishes over a golden ground. Like some of my other violas, this instrument is also well-suited to the needs of players and teachers who are primarily violinists.
Ask for VAGDS1580/15
Ask for VAGDS1580/15
Viola 15 ¾ inches (400mm) influenced by
G.B. Guadagnini 1785
Made in a compact size with an accessible string length, this viola punches above its weight, delivering a good tone. Completed with a one-piece back of part slab-cut sycamore with a faint ripple, the last piece from a good log, the instrument is finished in rich red madder oil glaze and varnishes over a golden ground. A dependable work-horse particularly suited to teachers and players for whom the violin is their first and main instrument.
Recommendation: “I use my viola every day for teaching and often get asked to play at gigs on it” (Upper strings teacher and professional performer).
Ask for VAGBG1785/14
Recommendation: “I use my viola every day for teaching and often get asked to play at gigs on it” (Upper strings teacher and professional performer).
Ask for VAGBG1785/14
Viola 16.25 inches (412mm) after Andrea Guarneri, 'Conte Vitali' 1676
Founder of the ‘Guarneri’ family of five violin makers, Andrea was a product of the mid-Baroque period. He was born (around 1626) at a time of high and rising demand for instruments of the string family, due in part to the huge popularity of music and the rise of opera in Italy with the concomitant need for a strong core of instruments to accompany the powerful singers. This viola, after one of Andrea’s very few known violas (an excellent model which stands with the very best, and praised by the Hills in their book) is available from my atelier in a range of sizes from 16”upwards.
Ask for VAAG1676/27
Ask for VAAG1676/27
Cello after Antonio Stradivari ‘The Davidov’ 1712
This cello already plays freely with a fast response. It has excellent resonance with a rich tone throughout the range and good projection. Made with ribs and one-piece back of Italian poplar, which may contribute to the tone, this instrument is finished luxuriously in oil glazes and varnish. It is fitted with a high quality Bois d’Harmonie carbon fibre endpin with tungsten steel tip which may contribute acoustically to the instrument. Stabilised to minimise seasonal movement, so that string height should remain fairly constant all year, and with internal linen support strips for the ribs in the manner of Stradivari himself, this instrument comes fitted with high-quality Wittner fine tuning pegs allowing trouble-free tuning even down to Baroque pitch and back in seconds. Ebony pegs are available on request should you wish these instead.
Ask for VCAS1712/22
Ask for VCAS1712/22
Cello 15/16th size, influenced by C18th Cremonese designs, own model
The benefits of a shorter string in a basically full-size cello body are two-fold: this instrument is accessible for players with a smaller hand and reach, reducing fatigue and lessening the risk of physical damage caused by over-stretching; it also permits greater agility while retaining the power and tone synonymous with the great cellos of early 18th century Italy. Stabilised to minimise seasonal movement, so that string height should remain fairly constant all year, and with internal linen support strips for the ribs in the manner of Stradivari, this instrument comes fitted with high-quality Wittner fine tuning pegs allowing trouble-free tuning even down to Baroque pitch and back in seconds.
Ask for VCAMVM15.16/24
Cello after Antonio Stradivari ‘The Davidov’ 1712
Antonio Stradivari’s ‘B’ form cellos from his ‘Golden’ Period still set the standard for our cellos today – over 300 years later. This is an excellent model with Stradivari’s graceful archings giving a potentially powerful instrument with full tone. Stabilised to minimise seasonal movement, so that string height should remain fairly constant all year, and with internal linen support strips for the ribs in the manner of Stradivari himself, this instrument will come fitted with high-quality Wittner fine tuning pegs allowing trouble-free tuning even down to Baroque pitch and back in seconds. Ebony pegs are available should you wish these instead. Available late 2019/early 2020.
Ask for VCAS1712/26
Ask for VCAS1712/26
Interested to know more? Contact me
Let me know what you are looking for and I’ll do my best to help.
