I make violins, viola's and cello's. The following main factors are important in making great sounding instruments:

• Wood: Good quality wood is very important. The wood that I am using is imported mainly from Europe and Italy.
• Graduation patterns: The thickness patterns of the top and the back are extremely important for resonant instruments with a colourful sound. Not much of importance is written in books regarding this aspect, and the information one can find is mostly misleading. It was only after making quite a number of violins, experimenting with different graduation patterns and varnishes, that I now feel that I have obtained an excellent quality of sound.
• Optimizing and set up: The natural frequencies of the various components are measured and optimized. Accurate set up is done with regards to the sound post and a good quality bridge and strings to match the characteristics of the instrument.
• Varnish: I am using a high quality oil based varnish on all my instruments.