Handcrafting violins, violas, and cellos in the classic Italian tradition
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Working with Our Customers
Commissioning An Instrument from Julian
Commissioning An Instrument from Julian
The handcrafting of string instruments is a collaboration. Nature supplies the materials. The player brings a set of tonal and aesthetic requirements. The maker’s trained eyes, ears, and hands weave those ingredients together in the form of tonal and visual beauty.
That collaborative approach drives everything Julian and Heather do wi
The handcrafting of string instruments is a collaboration. Nature supplies the materials. The player brings a set of tonal and aesthetic requirements. The maker’s trained eyes, ears, and hands weave those ingredients together in the form of tonal and visual beauty.
That collaborative approach drives everything Julian and Heather do with and for their customers – whether the customer is buying a first Cossmann violin, viola or cello, trading that first instrument in for another, or seeking adjustments or repairs.
Please make an appointment to try Julian’s instruments and to hear more about: trading in your Cossmann instrument; and complementary adjustments and maintenance for as long as you own your Cossmann Violins instrument.
Commissioning An Instrument from Julian
Commissioning An Instrument from Julian
Commissioning An Instrument from Julian
Cossmann Violins sells string instruments off the workbench directly to customers and on consignment to local violin shops. But if you have very personalized needs, the best way to assure that you get the instrument that meets all your personal specifications is to invest some time in commissioning an instrument.
The first step in the
Cossmann Violins sells string instruments off the workbench directly to customers and on consignment to local violin shops. But if you have very personalized needs, the best way to assure that you get the instrument that meets all your personal specifications is to invest some time in commissioning an instrument.
The first step in the commissioning process is a visit to the workshop. Julian finds that working with the player goes most smoothly when the player has a basic understanding of how their instrument will be made.
Next, Julian arranges to hear the player play their existing instrument in the setting in which they are accustomed to playing. This helps Julian pose the kinds of questions that help him make construction decisions – what the player likes and doesn’t like about the sound and playability of their current instrument and what they would like in their new instrument.
The model selected is critical to meeting those expectations. Variables like rib height, arching, length and widths will play a big role in meeting the goal of the player adapting to the new instrument as an extension of their body. After Julian takes measurements of the current instrument, he identifies several recommended models from which the player can choose.
Once the model has been determined, the player works with Julian to select the wood and general varnish appearance they would like. Julian has a large reserve of well-cured, European tonewood from which to choose. He also has a comprehensive archive of high quality photographs of master instruments from which he and the player can identify a wood pattern. If he does not have in stock a what the player prefers, Julian will work with his network of suppliers to find the desired wood.
The photograph collection also shows a wide range of varnish colors from which the player can choose.
The key construction-related choices having been made, Julian begins work and provides the player with photographs at key stages. The player always has the option of visiting the workshop to see the handcrafting in progress.
After the instrument is completed, it sits under tension and Julian and accomplished Austin players “play it in”. When the player takes initial possession, the wood has grown accustomed to string pressure and vibration. The player spends two weeks playing the instrument -- taking its measure, seeing what it is capable of doing.
At the end of the initial trial period, the player brings the instrument back to Julian and they discuss the player’s observations. Once Julian has made adjustments to the soundpost, the bridge, the tailpiece, and/or the strings, the player is off again to try the adjusted instrument.
The adjustment process is repeated until the player is happy that the instrument is what they were looking for as an improvement over what they had been playing.
Repairs and Restoration
Commissioning An Instrument from Julian
Repairs and Restoration
Julian offers repair and restoration services on string instruments that he has not made. From simple repairs such as closing open seams to more complicated operations like installing sound post patches, replacing broken corners, and grafting old scrolls to replacement necks, Julian applies his extensive training. Each year he attends w
Julian offers repair and restoration services on string instruments that he has not made. From simple repairs such as closing open seams to more complicated operations like installing sound post patches, replacing broken corners, and grafting old scrolls to replacement necks, Julian applies his extensive training. Each year he attends workshops associated with the Oberlin College Conservatory that feature some of the world's leading experts in the field.
And when a customer wants to return to its former glory an instrument of significant sentimental or monetary value, Julian taps into his skills in restoration, for example providing edge replacement, reinforcing cracked tops and backs, and reversing and performing anew prior repairs that have failed over the passage of years. In each case, he touches up the affected varnish, improving the appearance of the violin, viola, or cello.
NOW OFFERING THE REBAB LINE OF VIOLINS
The Covid-19 epidemic has brought huge changes to the lives of people around the world, including our musicians. Acknowledging those challenges, Cossmann Violins has introduced a new line of instruments – the Rebab Line of violins.
Named after the first known bowed instrument (dating at least to the 9th century), these fine modern instruments are made in a small village 5 hours from Warsaw, tucked into the southeastern corner of Poland and cheek-by-jowl with the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Each violin exhibits the fine workmanship of a practiced hand. Julian receives these instruments from the maker through his US distributor, ready to be varnished and set up. .
Every Rebab Line violin gets the same treatment to the same exacting standards as the instruments Julian handcrafts from start to finish.
The Rebab Line offers the beginner or intermediate level customer beauty and playability at a fraction of the price of the violins Julian handcrafts from start to finish. The Rebab Line is just another way Cossmann Violins is acknowledging the significant financial challenges that Covid-19 has brought to the lives of players of all ages.