Handmade Violins
Laura Clement Wallace, luthier
I build 4 and 5 string violins and violas in my workshop on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Currently, the wait list for a new instrument is about a year and a half. Get in touch to enquire about having me build an instrument for you. The process of commissioning an instrument is a unique experience that allows you to play a meaningful role in how your instrument looks, feels and sounds.
I have developed my own personal style and sound palette over more than a decade of violinmaking. I love using local and European wood, or a combination of the two to tell a specific story with each instrument. The overall form, the way the scroll looks, and the final choice of varnish all contribute to creating a unique instrument with its own particular soul. I aim to build instruments with great warmth and rich, chocolate tones. My goal is to make an instrument that is a pleasure to play and is gorgeous to look at.
I have a collection of spruce and maple from Europe, as well as some truly special Big Leaf Maple from Vancouver Island and Sitka spruce from Haida Gwaii. I find the local wood to be a bit wilder to look at, with a richer mineral content (it also dulls my tools more quickly). I have had great tone from violins with all local wood- I find the wood brings out a dark, almost clarinet like tone. I find the European wood to be lighter in colour and in density, and I have made instruments with the biggest sound from this wood. I don’t have a favourite and I like the different character of each. All my instruments have a similarity in tone, because I am in love with rich, chocolate, warm tones. I like sweetness in my violins, and I want it to sound like how caramel melts on your tongue. I’ve grown to love three main models: a Titian Strad, a modified Alard Amati, and a Guarneri.
I’ve played around with varnish over the years, and currently am enjoying varnishing with spirit varnish over a mineral ground. I can play with the colour tones and get a nice lived in look with the method. I now stay away from strong antiquing, but I do like to have a very gently worn look. I want the violin to look loved and cared for, but that it can handle a few bumps and nicks. You will inevitably knock it, or leave a few marks from your bow, and I don’t want that to feel like it has blemished the violin. It is made to be played, to be alive in your hands.
Titian Strad model violin, European wood, one piece maple back, golden spirit varnish over mineral ground.
Custom 5-string violin, modelled on a large Strad model, with bespoke f-holes.
5-String violin, based on a modified Titian Strad, one piece spruce top.
Viola, 16″, one piece Big Leaf maple back
Other Instruments For Sale
We have a small collection of older full size violins available (listed below). Since 2012 we have been converting, varnishing and setting up 5-string violins (fiddolas) by request, and often have one in the shop available to purchase. We also offer custom varnish on high level student 4-string violins, called the Northern Sun. Contact us for more details.
This is not the complete list of everything we have available, so please do get in touch if you are shopping for a violin or cello. There are a few more gems in the shop at the moment, and many waiting restoration that might be waiting just for you!
Available Instruments
Laura Clement Wallace Violin 2022
This violin is built on a modified Alard Amati model- it has a body length of 355mm, but is just a few mm shorter in string length than the standard full size. This makes it very comfortable to play. It has a Italian spruce top, with beautiful bear claw figure, and a one piece Big Leaf Maple back from Vancouver Island. It is big and sweet sounding, currently set up with Evah Pirazzi Gold strings and rosewood fittings. The varnish is a spirit varnish, warm brown over mineral ground. The ribs are particularly stunning with strongly flamed Big Leaf Maple. SOLD.
Laura Clement Wallace 5-string violin 2024
This violin is my custom model of 5-string. Based on the golden period Strad, the ‘Titian’, it has been slightly increased in size to make for a fuller C string, but still plays like a standard violin, with a stop length of 197mm, just 2mm longer than the standard violin. It has a gorgeous rich C string, all the way up to the clear E string. The top is a one piece Engelmann Spruce and the back is two piece Italian maple with moderate flame. It has ebony tailpiece with one fine tuner, and Wittner fine tuning mechanical pegs, making it very easy for quick cross-tuning. Currently strung with Evah Pirazzi Gold strings. The varnish is a spirit varnish, a golden colour over mineral ground, with very gentle antiquing. Now available for purchase in my Sunshine Coast shop. $11,000.
Gliga anno 2000 Violin
This instrument has been recently strung with new Evah Pirazzi strings and is in excellent condition. A well loved violin made in 2000, it is the ideal instrument for a student moving up to their first full size, or an adult beginner looking for a quality student instrument. The bridge is strong and straight, the pegs fit well and work great. Fittings are ebony with a Wittner fine tuning tailpiece. Gligas are known for their warm, smooth sound. This instrument comes with case, bow, rosin and shoulder rest. $1000
“Conservatory Violin” Strad copy, date unknown
This violin is a large full size, with broad bouts and a string length on the longer side of standard. It was brought to my shop in poor condition with a bottom block that needed replacing and extensive work required on the body and neck. Originally a factory instrument from Germany, it had a thick top and a quiet sound. The scroll is carved beautifully and it has such potential! I did the necessary repairs, including removing the integral bass bar, rethicknessing the top and installing a new bassbar. The instrument has a big, bright sound and rings out beautifully. Set up with Evah Pirazzi strings and ebony fittings, with Wittner fine tuning tailpiece. Available in my shop on the Sunshine Coast. $2500
The Guldan Co, Columbus, Ohio, USA
This instrument was brought to my shop with an unknown story, and a terrible varnish job, which didn’t appear original. It is not a factory instrument, so the label may be incorrect. It is clearly amateur made, but with correct measurements. The inlayed purling is charming and has a lot of personality. The violin was re-varnished by my apprentice, Brigitte, in a simple golden spirit varnish. Set up to correct standards, it is the perfect fiddle for some one looking for an instrument that is original and has some personality. Bright clear sounding, the violin rings out easily and is quite beautiful, with a stunning maple back. Available in my shop on the Sunshine Coast. $1000
Marc Laberte Violin
Labeled “Ateliers de Lutherie D’Art MARC LABERTE MIRECOURT_Vosges_France”. A beautiful, crisp orange-red varnish with shading. An excellent example of the Marc Laberte shop violins. A big, broad sound. Ebony fittings with a Wittner fine-tuning tailpiece. Available in our shop on the Sunshine Coast. $3250
Cigarette Violin
This instrument can tell a story! Well played over its long lifetime, this violin has a clear cigarette burn on the top varnish, hence its name. It is in good condition, with a new set up and Tonica strings. A French instrument with no date on the label, it is roughly 100 years old. A rich gold brown varnish, it has a bright sound. Rosewood pegs and Wittner tailpiece, with a three tree Despiau bridge. Available in my shop on the Sunshine Coast, $1000.
Jérôme Thibouville Lamy (JTL) violin
This violin is a gorgeous example of work from this Paris shop. Bearing the model label in the traditional location on the bass side, it reads “Sarasate Maitre D’après Nicolaus Amatus Cremonen Hieronymi fil. ac Antonij Nepos Fecit 1659. It has a strong reddish-gold varnish and distinctive arching, with quite a tall arch. The scroll has black ink on the chamfers. Currently waiting some TLC on the workbench, it needs peg bushings and a new set of strings. This price listed includes this work being completed before the final sale. Available in my shop on the Sunshine Coast, $4000.
W. F. Porter Violin 1929
This instrument is a rare instrument- built in Vancouver, BC in 1929 by one of the few luthiers from this province. W. F. Porter built many violins over his career and it is truly special to have one of his in the shop. Labeled “W. F. Porter fecit In Vancouver 1929” it is built on a Guarneri model with very distinctive f-holes. It has a lovely gold brown varnish that as aged well. The violin has a big sound, currently set up with Dominant strings. Boxwood pegs and a Wittner fine-tuning tailpiece. Available in my shop on the Sunshine Coast, $2500.
Student Violin Custom Orders
I have access to a wide variety of student level violins from the Eastman violin shop, as well as from Xue Chang Sun in Beijing. My shop is small, so I don’t carry a large stock of these instruments, but I often have something on hand to try, and can order violins, violas, and cellos by request. Please get in touch with what you have in mind and I can help you find it.
Northern Sun Cello, 4/4
(photo soon!) Gorgeous cello with gentle antiquing, set up to perfection in our shop on the Sunshine Coast of Canada. Made in Beijing by master violinmakers in the Xue Chang Sun shop. We have been selling these cellos for more than 15 years because they are reliably beautiful, with a warm, even tone. Ideal for the intermediate to advanced student. This could be your “forever” cello. Permanent C and G, Larsen D and A. Wittner tailpiece. Available in our shop on the Sunshine Coast. $4000
5-string Northern Sun Cello
This one is fun! Originally built as a 4 string, the cello was modified in our shop to add a high E string. Now you can play any violin piece and cello piece. The cello is based on a Mantagnana model, with wider bouts. Made in Beijing by master violinmakers in the Xue Chang Sun shop. We have been selling these cellos for more than 15 years because they are reliably beautiful, with a warm, even tone. Larsen E, A, D and Permanent G and C. Ebony tailpiece. Available in our shop on the Sunshine Coast. $6000
