Peter White – #262 Violin

Violin #262 was made in 2021. I particularly like this violin because it is made of one of few remaining pieces of spruce and maple I purchased in Oregon long ago from John Tepper, a renowned wood cutter. His American maple is very hard and highly flamed. This particular maple has produced some of the most powerful sounding violins I have ever made. This violin is no exception.

The finish is antiqued like a Guarneri del Gesu from the 1740s. The lower right of the top has the varnish worn down to illustrate how violins were played in the past, including edges that are slightly worn. Where the chin touched the varnish day after day, the varnish wore off, and in some cases to the bare wood. I have also left the upper right bout almost unvarnished to illustrate how sweat from a musician’s hand can wear the varnish away. The beautiful back is highly flamed with red and gold. The tone of this violin is powerful and balanced. It is suitable for any symphony player or advanced students.

Peter White has won many gold medals in American contests for his violins, violas, and cellos. He has also won a gold medal for his detailed copy of Andrea Amati’s 1560 violin and viola. This award was given to him at the first International Competition for Antiqued Instruments in 2010, Cremona, Italy. Most of White’s education in violin making was done under Jan Pawlikowski in Krakow Poland, and through short internships in other European violin shops.