These instruments are for the advanced student who is ready for a step up, but not ready to spend 8-10K on a handcrafted luthier-made violin. I offer 100% trade-in, if a customer chooses to upgrade to one of my handmade instruments.
In some cases, the instruments result from a customer desiring a particular size or type of instrument not readily available, but which I can obtain as an uncompleted, unvarnished instrument, I purchase the instrument for them, complete the making, the varnishing and proper set-up, so that they get a high-quality instrument for a reasonable price.
Some sizes are also available as a five-string variant, in this “house-brand” category, but not all. My handmade instruments are all available as a five-string.
I have decided to add a new line of violins: affordable to advanced students, but still very high-quality instruments. These instruments were built by me, but not from raw materials; rather from pre-machined parts (CNC-cut) bought elsewhere. I do not sell these as signed and numbered luthier-made violins, because I am not the one who (completely) made them.
I only completed the job; installed purfling, corrected arching, graduated the plates as needed, installed and trimmed the bass-bar to my standard, set the neck, installed the end-pin, saddle, fingerboard, nut, pegs, etc., and finally, after careful assembly, varnished with the same care that I use on my handmade instruments. I provide the same guarantee and return policy on these instruments as for my handmade instruments.
I will, of course, continue to offer my own handmade violins, violas, cellos, double basses and five-string fiddles, as always.
Rationale:
The reason I am doing this is three-fold:
(a) Not everyone can afford a luthier-made instrument, especially when they are just starting out.
(b) Buying the materials in pre-machined form reduces my labor significantly, so I can charge a great deal less, while my customers still get a very good instrument, whose final character actually is determined by me, and is personally attendedto by me…not like a factory instrument.
(c) I can meet a known need much more quickly, so that the wait is less frustrating for the customer, when an instrument is ordered.
Current Limitation:
For the moment I am only offering 4/4 violins, but I may extend the selection later. I am even considering learning to machine the parts myself, which would, of course, also involve buying the necessary tooling, but which might keep the price low indefinitely, and allow me to offer a full- range of instruments in the advanced student price-range.
It would also mean that ALL the labor would once again be mine, even though I would be using a machine to do all the rough work. I will label any such instruments as “shop-made” instruments, with the “West Wind Strings” workshop label, as my house-brand instruments. They will enjoy the same 100% trade-in policy as my handmade instruments, but there will not be any confusion as to which is which.
Photos of Current Samples:
Here are two finished violins which are currently available. If they sell quickly, I will put more up immediately, as quickly as I can complete them. (see Photos below:) Both have pretty amazing tone, I must say. I was not really sure what to expect, as I have never before built from CNC carved parts. I am very pleased with the results.
If you are interested in either of these violins, or others like them, please contact me and we can arrange to get one into your hands for a trial.