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David Gusset

Violin maker using early Italian methods

"...what some judge to be the world's most beautiful modern violin, Gusset's masterwork reflects his familiarity with classic Italian craftsmanship and style and his knowledge of Renaissance proportion and form that was the genius of the masters of the 'Cremonese School'." -  Chicago Tribune

"The first American ever to win the international violin-making competition at Cremona." - The Wall Street Journal

Made by hand and adhering to the ideals and the working methods of the 17th and 18th century makers of Cremona, Italy, each David Gusset instrument is a unique artistic creation. Every violin, viola, and cello maintains the highest standards of craftsmanship, combined with deeply satisfying richness and complexity of tone.

Each of my instruments is made entirely by hand, adhering to the ideals and the working methods of the early Italian masters, and embodying the highest standards of craftsmanship. Each instrument I make is a unique artistic creation, an original composition of harmony of line, form, color and materials. The tone qualities I seek are those of deeply satisfying warmth, richness and complexity, qualities often associated with older Italian instruments. Tonal richness is the secret to exceptional carrying power. As an artist, I feel a moral and social responsibility to create works that speak a universal language of beauty, beauty inspired by nature, that stand the test of time. 

Represented on this site are photos of my work, shop notes and drawings, answers to the most frequently asked questions, a discussion of the numerous skills necessary to be a violin maker, a brief history of early Italian violinmaking, and proof that the art of violin making was not, after all taken with Stradivari to his tomb. An unbroken tradition, begun over four centuries ago still continues even in Eugene, Oregon.

David Gusset

1611 Lincoln Street

Eugene

Oregon

USA

97401-3914

Tel: 
(541)342-2772