Commissioning a new instrument: Edgar Russ or Luiz Amorim

[madchemistry]

Hello everyone

This my first post on this forum, so please be patient with me! I am considering the idea of commissioning an instrument to a modern maker. Luiz Amorim and Edgar Russ are both based in Cremona and they have a strong online presence, The budget is similar (30-40 kEUR) but I did not find any independent opinion on their instruments. Of course there are several review and audiosample on different online portals, but they are not comparable to the direct opinion of people playing them.

Does some of you have tried some of their instruments? What is your opinion?

Thank you in advance

[JacksonMaberry]

At that price (or any price), I'd say the only thing to do is play them for yourself. Ask the makers if you can sample their instruments in person, by mail, or by getting connected with some of their clients. Opinions of others are fine, but you need to get your hands on and try out the fiddles to see if they're right for you. 

Can you visit some good violin shops? There's no substitute for going to a shop and playing everything you can get your hands on. 

[jacobsaunders]

1 hour ago, madchemistry said:

 

This my first post on this forum, so please be patient with me!

You should realise that no one with any sense is going to want to make arbitrary comments about living colleagues, for good reasons

[JacksonMaberry]

3 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

You should realise that no one with any sense is going to want to make arbitrary comments about living colleagues, for good reasons

Yes, absolutely.

[madchemistry]

12 minutes ago, JacksonMaberry said:

At that price (or any price), I'd say the only thing to do is play them for yourself. Ask the makers if you can sample their instruments in person, by mail, or by getting connected with some of their clients. Opinions of others are fine, but you need to get your hands on and try out the fiddles to see if they're right for you. 

Can you visit some good violin shops? There's no substitute for going to a shop and playing everything you can get your hands on. 

My plan is to go to Cremona next week and try what is available in both shops. But I also wanted to get external feedback, also because it is difficult to compare violins tried in different moments and in different locations.
 

 

4 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

You should realise that no one with any sense is going to want to make arbitrary comments about living colleagues, for good reasons

Of course I am not asking the opinion of a colleague of them, but mostly of a player  Nor am I expecting someone to come and say "take A" and another "take B". Just to collect experience from people that have played their instruments and can describe what they like/did not like.

[Davide Sora]

19 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

You should realise that no one with any sense is going to want to make arbitrary comments about living colleagues, for good reasons

[Mark Norfleet]

36 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

You should realise that no one with any sense is going to want to make arbitrary comments about living colleagues, for good reasons

Well, any of us might -want- to...

[David Burgess]

1 hour ago, jacobsaunders said:

You should realise that no one with any sense is going to want to make arbitrary comments about living colleagues, for good reasons

Jacob wears fur-lined underwear.

[jacobsaunders]

48 minutes ago, Mark Norfleet said:

Well, any of us might -want- to...

 

23 minutes ago, David Burgess said:

Jacob wears fur-lined underwear.

I spoke about those “with any sense”

[JacksonMaberry]

24 minutes ago, David Burgess said:

Jacob wears fur-lined underwear.

David owes me a toaster!

[Mark Norfleet]

4 minutes ago, JacksonMaberry said:

David owes me a toaster!

Careful!  The one he gave me was pretty well used.

[David Burgess]

1 hour ago, jacobsaunders said:

 

I spoke about those “with any sense”

Americans are supposed to have sense?

[David Burgess]

9 minutes ago, Mark Norfleet said:

Careful!  The one he gave me was pretty well used.

Well, it had been re-gifted every time someone got married (the wedding present that nobody wants, and passes on to the next victim). Whadaya expect?

[David Burgess]

41 minutes ago, JacksonMaberry said:

David owes me a toaster!

Patience. I've been trying to find you a bun-warmer instead.

[Davide Sora]

3 hours ago, madchemistry said:

Hello everyone

This my first post on this forum, so please be patient with me! I am considering the idea of commissioning an instrument to a modern maker. Luiz Amorim and Edgar Russ are both based in Cremona and they have a strong online presence, The budget is similar (30-40 kEUR) but I did not find any independent opinion on their instruments. Of course there are several review and audiosample on different online portals, but they are not comparable to the direct opinion of people playing them.

Does some of you have tried some of their instruments? What is your opinion?

Thank you in advance

I assume you are interested in antiqued violins, let's say copies. In this case, I would suggest you also consider Marco Coppiardi, who for some years now has re-emigrated from Boston here to Cremona, his original hometown.

[Wood Butcher]

While I don't want to get into the "it must come from Cremona" debate, I would just say that makers all over the world are trained at the same few schools.
Therefore, we are lucky in this day and age, that very talented makers are operating all over. More so than I think was ever the case before.

[Dwight Brown]

What instrument? (It’s probably here but I’m tired from drilling large holes in the outside wall)

DLB

[Dwight Brown]

https://bishopstrings.com
 

I would suggest going to London and seeing Sean Bishop. He is a very good player and has a lot of possibilities in your price range. Full disclosure, I’m a satisfied customer (remote) and I find him trustworthy and able. I have no financial interest in his business.

DLB

[duane88]

Rumor has it that there is this guy, in Cremona, named Davide Sora who has won an award or two and makes very nice violins.

So, while in Cremona, why not see if he would entertain a visit?

[Davide Sora]

30 minutes ago, duane88 said:

Rumor has it that there is this guy, in Cremona, named Davide Sora who has won an award or two and makes very nice violins.

So, while in Cremona, why not see if he would entertain a visit?

Anyone will always be welcome to my workshop to try out my violins, assuming I have one finished at the time. But don't ask for copies or antiqued violins, I don't make these aberrations.

Seriously, I'm always interested in hearing good violinists play my violins, and knowing what they think, but if one comes to Cremona to buy maybe it's better if he optimizes his time by trying violins available for sale. Mine aren't, and ordering one would also be out of the question (too long waiting list).

[GoPractice]

7 hours ago, madchemistry said:

 ( ... )

Does some of you have tried some of their instruments? What is your opinion?

Thank you in advance

Do you know what you are looking for? What are the desired qualities in your next instrument?

Is it workmanship? Do you play for fun, or do you need to win a position in a paying orchestra?

[GoPractice]

12 minutes ago, Davide Sora said:

 ( ... ) it's better if he optimizes his time by trying violins available for sale. Mine aren't, and ordering one would also be out of the question (too long waiting list).

Is this true? I have been rejected once to be put on a waiting list. There was also another maker who suggested I pay the full amount in advance. 

Most require a deposit, and that is reasonable. And sometimes the selling price is higher than when the deposit was placed which is reasonable to a certain percentage. I did have one creator ( in another area ) die before delivering product and I did lose that deposit.

[Davide Sora]

1 hour ago, GoPractice said:

Is this true? I have been rejected once to be put on a waiting list. There was also another maker who suggested I pay the full amount in advance. 

Most require a deposit, and that is reasonable. And sometimes the selling price is higher than when the deposit was placed which is reasonable to a certain percentage. I did have one creator ( in another area ) die before delivering product and I did lose that deposit.

Well ... yes.
It seems to me more correct not to accept further orders when the waiting list gets too long. If you are interested in the details, send me an e-mail or a private message, I prefer not to deal with the commercial aspects on a public forum.

[Shelbow]

I would choose whoever offers the best cheese and wine.

[GoPractice]

19 hours ago, Shelbow said:

I would choose whoever offers the best cheese and wine.

I like food. I ( almost ) always bring food ( or gifts ) when visiting makers. First stop after getting off the plane.

I like Heritage foods, but younger, patient and studied people are producing amazing tastes and textures. California has a dairy lobby, not that these youngsters are getting any of it, but the newer dairy products are to be experienced if one is able to afford a visit.

A friend notified me that a mentor ( gamba player, scholar ) was still living into their 90s. I just presumed the obvious. Upon encouragement to visit, I was reminded to take a bottle of fine Port. Will take several.