HANDCRAFTED
VIOLINS,
VIOLAS AND
CELLOS
WORKSHOP

In my workshop, I make instruments primarily to order and building on commission by musicians is the aspect of my profession I find most satisfying.
I enjoy violin making specially when I have the opportunity to work in close contact with my clients because I believe in the collaboration between maker and musician, from the selection of the model to the last sound adjustment.
It is a point of pride with me to be able to create an instrument exactly to the specifications of the musician, designed to be best adapted to the physical characteristics of the player and suited to their musical techniques and tonal requirements. Such an instrument will offer the maximum comfort in terms of weight and size as well as ideal acoustic qualities.
However, building instruments without a commission is an essential part of my growth as a violin maker as well. It is in those instruments when I am able to take advantage of the larger scope of creative liberty and to experiment with different techniques and methods of construction or varnishing.
OTHER SERVICES
Repair & restauration
Sound adjustment
Bow rehair
ABOUT ME
I was born in 1969 in Perugia, amongst the hills of Umbria, Italy.
As a child I spent a lot of time with my grandfather, playing in his sculpture workshop. I found handling his tools very enjoyable and I developed an irresistible attraction to woodworking. From my grandfather I also inherited a great passion for music, which led me to study classical piano at the Conservatorio di Perugia and which I currently keep alive by playing jazz with different ensembles.
My interest in violin making comes therefore as a perfect fusion of my passions in woodworking and music. I started my training at the Scuola per Maestri Liutai e Archettai in Gubbio, Umbria, where I made my first instruments and where, at the end of the three year course, I decided to become a professional violin maker. Therefore I left my job as a solicitor and I moved to England in order to improve my making and repairing skills at the Newark School of Violin Making.
From July 2007 to August 2010 I worked as a maker at the well-known Roger Hansell workshop, in North Yorkshire. Working under Roger’s discipline has given me the opportunity to reach a truly professional level thanks to the finesse of his skills as an instrument copyist and his remarkable ability to create tonal reproductions.
In 2010 I moved back to Italy, where I set up my workshop in Corciano, Perugia

PHOTO GALLERY
EVENTS

AUG 2020 Bécherel (FR)
I participated in the course "Preparation of oil varnish" by François Perego

Nov 2019 Dinan (FR)
I attended the course "Preparation of lake pigments from natural dyes" by François Perego

Aug 2019 Dinan (FR)
I attended the course "Preparation of wood, varnishing and study of light by François Perego

2015 pisogne (IT)
My viola received the Edrev Prize at the ANLAI International violin making competition

2014 cremona
I was invited to exhibit one of my violins for the Liutai Italiani del 21º at the Museo del Violino di Cremona

2013 Pisogne (IT)
One of my violins won Best Sound at the ANLAI International violin making competition
Copyright © 2023 Filippo Protani