“Verity” a Handmade Violin

verity

-the quality or state of being true or real

Merriam Webster

This violin sings under the ear. “Verity” can play from quiet to loud smoothly with more in reserves. I chose verity for the name of this violin because I was finally able to realize what I have been dreaming about making with intention. All aspects of this violin were designed and drafted by me. The top plate was selected for me by my tone wood dealer. Everything about this violin fell into place. I’m making more of these violins in 2022. If you miss this one, there is another chance for you in the near future.

The first two sessions with a guest perform was under two different string sets from different manufacturers. The sound changed to the strings. You could play with the sound of this violin for a long time just by changing strings over the years. The

It’s first guest player worked with me for two sessions to get the sound right. The first session was great. We both agreed it needed some work. So, I decided to cut a new bridge and added a little more graphene to the nut. The tuning pegs got a little more soap/chalk and burnishing. New strings, too. This violin showed up for second session. The combination of setup and player familiarity really set this loose.

The finish is a spirit varnish. The color is a combination of red, brown and yellow. The ground color and spruce creates a nice suede leather with a red/brown finish. In the light, the flame is very present. It really wants to be looked at.

The length is 360mm long, I know some say “that’s too long!”. I keep the mensur at the standard length of 196mm for standard playability. The after string length is a little long but “Verity” plays good with it.

It has the usual standard of red maple back and neck, red spruce top, and ebony for the fingerboard and accessories.

Maker: Handmade violin by Roman Clarkson

Strings: Piastro Tonica (Gold Label E)

Bridge: Teller

Accessories: Metropolitan Music – Swiss Style with chinrest

Price: $2,300 Year: 2021

Serial: 21-3

Case: Includes a basic case from Metropolitan Music

Book an Appointment now or Contact me for questions.

“Beget” a Handmade Violin

beget

– to produce especially as an effect or outgrowth

Merriam Webster

This handmade violin has a warm bright sound. “Beget” responds well when playing quiet or loud. I chose beget as the name for this violin because this violin represents the outgrowth of the previous violins. I finally settled into my work and the craft with much more confidence. This design is the predecessor to “Verity”. You will see “Verity” has no corners; also called guitar style body. This has the same dimensions and the feel is very similar. If you want a traditional shape, I don’t think you will go wrong with this violin.

This violin was played in two quality check sessions for me. The violin sounded good in the first session. There wasn’t much we wanted to change in the setup. I decided to trim the bridge a little, the pegs got a little more soap/chalk and burnishing. The second session for this violin really filled up the room with an inviting warm sound. The longer the violinist played the more dynamics I could hear. Of course, the violinist got more familiar with it. The performance showed off the dynamics. I would like to hear what you can do with this violin. Book a Session to try it out.

The finish is a spirit varnish. The color is a combination of red, brown and yellow. The englemann spruce is naturally dark. The color and the spruce creates a nice finish darker red/brown finish. The back has shows more yellow; I don’t want to call it orange. It’s more of yellow/brown/red.

The mensur is the standard length of 196mm.

It has the usual standard of red maple back and neck, an englemann spruce top, and ebony for the fingerboard and accessories.

Maker: Handmade violin by Roman Clarkson

Strings: Piastro Tonica (Gold Label E)

Bridge: Teller

Accessories: Metropolitan Music – Swiss Style with chinrest

Price: $2,300 Year: 2021

Serial: 21-1

Case: Includes a basic case from Metropolitan Music

Book an Appointment now or Contact me for questions.

“Devotion” a Handmade Violin

devotion

– the act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity

– the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal

Merriam Webster

This violin sounds good. I think “Devotion” could easily be a player favorite. The violin really needs an active violinist to work it in and make it shine for themselves. This violin is my first work where I felt like I arrived. It’s not a perfect violin but I can see my f-holes finally become my own style, the purfling is set well and I started to really feel my scroll design being solidified. This really is the foundation instrument on my forward progress as a violin maker.

Book a Session to try it out.

The finish is a spirit varnish. The color is a combination of red, brown and yellow. The ground color and spruce creates a nice suede leather with a red/brown finish. In the light, the flame is very present. It really wants to be looked at.

It has the usual standard of red maple back and neck, red spruce top, and ebony for the fingerboard and accessories.

Maker: Handmade violin by Roman Clarkson

Strings: Piastro Tonica (Gold Label E)

Bridge: Teller

Accessories: Metropolitan Music – Swiss Style with chinrest

Price: $1,700 Year: 2020

Serial: 20-7

Case: Includes a basic case from Metropolitan Music

Book an Appointment now or Contact me for questions.

“Serendipity” a Handmade Violin

serendipity

– the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for also

Merriam Webster

This handmade violin is great for a student. It sounds good and is an evolution in my build process. This is the last violin body copy I made of the “Kreisler”. There is no antiquing and I opened up my design to include an open peg box. The sounds is pleasant. This is very affordable and beats out her factory imports I’ve tried in the same price range.

Book a Session to try it out.

The finish is a spirit varnish. The color is a combination of red, brown and yellow. The ground color and spruce creates a nice suede leather with a red/brown finish. Rotating it in the light, you can see the flame is very prominent.

It has the usual standard of red maple back and neck, red spruce top, and ebony for the fingerboard and accessories.

Maker: Handmade violin by Roman Clarkson

Strings: Piastro Tonica (Gold Label E)

Bridge: Teller

Accessories: Metropolitan Music – Swiss Style with chinrest

Price: $900 Year: 2020

Serial: 20-5

Case: Includes a basic case from Metropolitan Music

Book an Appointment now or Contact me for questions.

“Vulnerability” a Handmade Violin

vulnerability

– capable of being emotionally wounded

Merriam Webster

I chose the word vulnerability because it symbolizes that the maker (me) and the player can have an empathy towards others. As such, making music can be a healing activity. Also, I was very hard on myself with the execution of the purfling. I felt like I could have been much better. Alas, it was done and I had to make the most of it. Allowing myself to not be my best helped me make sure I did every violin going forward so much better. I did get better, you can see on my newer violins more refinement. With that said, there is lots of sound and play time on this violin. Perfect for a student wanting to commit middle and high school years of practice with the room to grow in future instrument purchases.

Book a Session to try it out.

The finish is a spirit varnish. The color is a combination of red, brown and yellow. The ground color and spruce creates a nice suede leather with a red/brown finish. Rotating it in the light, you can see the flame is very prominent.

It has the usual standard of red maple back and neck, red spruce top, and ebony for the fingerboard and accessories.

Maker: Handmade violin by Roman Clarkson

Strings: Piastro Tonica (Gold Label E)

Bridge: Teller

Accessories: Metropolitan Music – Swiss Style with chinrest

Price: $700 Year: 2020

Serial: 20-4

Case: Includes a basic case from Metropolitan Music

Book an Appointment now or Contact me for questions.

“Compassion” a Handmade Violin

compassion

– sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it

Merriam Webster

This violin is a great beginner violin. The price is set at a beginner interests because this violin is shows me still learning the craft of purfling. It doesn’t affect the sound but the corners are prominent and the purfling is done with an amateur’s skill. Take heed, I have not skimped on the strings, bridge or setup. I treat this violin just like any of my others. If you come to try this violin, you can compare it to my others and know I will give you the same service to you as I give to someone buying a more expensive violin. I want this violin to have a good home just like all my other violins.

Book a Session to try it out.

The finish is a spirit varnish. The color is a combination of red, brown and yellow. The ground color and Englemann one-piece spruce creates a nice suede leather with a red/brown finish. In the light, the flame is very present. It really wants to be looked at.

It has the standard of red maple back and neck, Englemann spruce top, and ebony for the fingerboard and accessories.

Maker: Handmade violin by Roman Clarkson

Strings: Piastro Tonica (Gold Label E)

Bridge: Teller

Accessories: Metropolitan Music – Swiss Style with chinrest

Price: $600 Year: 2021

Serial: 20-2

Case: Includes a basic case from Metropolitan Music

Book an Appointment now or Contact me for questions.