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Andrea Guarneri Viola

My latest viola build is a copy of one of the most known members of the Guarneri family; Andrea Guarneri. Andrea along with several other great makers apprenticed directly with the great Nicolo Amati.

Among those that apprenticed with Amati Guarneri held true to the Amati tradition. Andrea adopted his maters model so masterfully that some of this works are indistinguishable from his teacher’s. In general Guarneri’s work is somewhat freer and less exact then his master’s, but are nonetheless of a fantastic build. His smaller violas are regarded as some of the best-known violas left in existence today.

There are only 8 surviving examples still around today!

Andrea Guarneri shared his making knowledge with his two sons who assisted him from 1690 on. His sons went on to have their own celebrated careers; they were Giuseppe ‘filius Andrea’ and Pietro of Mantua.

I am loving this latest viola build. I haven’t made a Guarneri viola since my schooling at NBSS.

The viola is slightly larger than 16″ and puts out a huge sound!

Andrea Guarneri Viola Andrea Guarneri Viola Andrea Guarneri Viola Andrea Guarneri Viola Andrea Guarneri Viola Andrea Guarneri Viola