Collins Violins Canada

Are you looking for your dream instrument ?

What would that be for you? Have you really thought about what it would feel like? What would the ideal sound be for you? Can you imagine what the varnish would look like? What if it was something that was uniquely yours?

Consider this: It wasn't that long ago that instruments were all very unique! Really! Stradivarius was an innovator. So were Guarneri, Amati, Maggini, and others. They knew the underlying principles of design.

Does everything need to be a copy of a Stradivarius or a Guarnerius, or an Amati? Ask yourself this question: Where did these designs come from?

Just like with great architecture, there are guiding principles of design that have to be understood to be successful. Some violin makers don't really understand what they are doing, so they simply copy what others have done that works. Maybe there's nothing wrong with that, IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT.

The trouble is this: luthiers who don't really understand what makes the design of an instrument successful risk producing something that looks impressive, but it might not work as well as it could.

Have you heard the story of the Avro Arrow? It was the world's first supersonic fighter jet, designed and built here in Canada in the 1960's. It was decades beyond it's time, a remarkable story and a fabulous and uniquely Canadian piece of history! (Look it up for yourself if you like: it's truly amazing!!) The designers knew that they had something incredibly special, and they knew that there would be attempts to steal the design. So, what did they do? They put errors in the plans to sabotage anyone who tried to steal it. Pretty sneaky!

What does this have to do with you, with YOUR violin? Well, the same problem applies to violins. If you don't really understand the proportions of the design and how everything works together, then it's really easy to miss the mark. It may sound good, but will it sound great?

Take a minute and watch my video "What do violin making, teaching, and playing have in common." This will help you understand what I mean.

Through his long career as a professional orchestral and chamber musician, Mr. Collins has the distinct advantage of understanding each musician's needs from a player's perspective. He earned his first degree from the University of Alberta where his teachers were the founding members of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. He has played with the Victoria Symphony, International Festival Orchestra, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Symphony, Prince George Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, and the International Symphony Orchestra. He earned a Master of Music degree at the University of Victoria studying with Czech Philharmonic Orchestra's Principal Violist, Jaroslav Karovsky.

Stephen Collins has been working as a luthier for over 30 years. His instruments and bows are owned and played by fine musicians in Canada, the U.S.A., and Japan. He has mentored and studied with many world renowned luthiers and archetiers including Horacio Piniero, Jonathan Woolston, Quentin Playfair, Derek Wilson, and Dmitry Badiarov.

Stephen's passions are numerous, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Designing and creating original instruments using the lost techniques of the old masters, to meet the very specific needs and dreams of today's musicians, is just one of those passions! He is currently a member of the Elite Luthiers Academy and is a pioneer in the revival of the Violoncello da Spalla.

If you are looking for an instrument to take your career to the next level and open up new opportunities, be sure to reach out and get in touch!

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