Author Archives: IljaG

New Studio violin model ‘Fleur de Lis’

Have a look at the video clip painting of my latest Studio violin. It is so much fun painting and varnishing

Keeping your bridge straight

I have a little clip on YouTube on how to keep your bridge straight. There are many reasons why bridges can warp. Humidity is a very big factor. Very high humidity it does not matter how well made, how seasoned & high quality the timber it will warp fast Badly filed grooves or winding of […]

The Sound Post – Soul of the Violin

Inside of the violin. You can see the soundpost standing up. It was handmade by Ilja Grawert in Brisbane for this Violin

  A sound post is a small piece of dowel made of well-aged European Spruce. Despite its rather insignificant appearance, a sound post is the soul of a bowed stringed instrument like the violin. Its exact location is critical to ensure perfect sound transmission. Location: The sound post stands inside the violin connecting the top-plate […]

The five main characteristics of a good violin

All bowed stringed instruments ideally should have all of the following five characteristics…   In my opinion the sound quality of good violins should be the same in old and new violins. A well made violin should have five main features which are an absolute necessity. 1. the violin has to be structurally well made […]

Back in my shop

  I am now back from North Queensland and am available for appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. I will be available for appointments all through the holiday season. However I will be on another short business trip from the 22nd of October to the 29th and as my shop is in the G20 […]