Category Archives: My Workshop

Beautiful Balanced Cello

Another one of my current projects… a full size studio cello nearly ready to be varnished. Look how well this plate is balanced. this cello will have a beautiful song

7/8 cello update No 6

After closing the cello the cello was ready to have the neck fitted. I was so lost in the work on this cello that I totally forgot to take photos . It is very important that the neck is in the right position, in the right angle overlapping the top plate the perfect amount to […]

15.5″ Studio Viola project update No 1

A 15.5 inch studio viola. thicknessing the top-plate is finished, the bass bar wood is prepared to the right thickness. I chose a high quality, well seasoned, split peace of spruce. After checking all the proportions, lots of measuring & calculating I could mark the final length and exact positioning for the bass bar to ensure most vibration of the top

7/8 cello update No 5

7/8 studio cello at Ilja Grawert violin shop workshop Brisbane Australia

Each cello carries a song of its own, telling a story of its proportions, the tools and the hands shaping it from a block of wood into this beautiful creation of sound.

7/8 Cello Winter22 Update No4

I finished fitting the bass bar and glued it to the inner surface of the top plate in its proper position. Gluing is usually a high stress situation as the glues we use are one hundred percent natural hide glue. It needs to be heated and after application the clamps will have to be put […]

7/8 Studio Cello update No.3

This is the third update fitting of my 7/8 cello project winter22. Here is a short description about using chalk for fitting the bass bar. This stage is always exciting as that marks the finishing of the top plate. Fitting with chalk takes around 6-8 hours and has to be very fine with super sharp […]

Strad model ‘Beckerath’ made by Ilja Grawert

Beckerath stradivari copy handmade violin by Ilja Grawert violin shop workshop Brisbane Australia

I made this violin years ago and never offered it for sale before. This violin has been fully handmade by me following all the old traditions of violin making. It has a beautiful warm tone and is very pleasing to play. A good friend for the violinist. The varnish is an old traditional recipe with […]

Beautiful 7/8 studio violin finished

7/8 size beautiful Violin with Fleur de Lils Painting

From the Workshop of Ilja Grawert & Son “This is currently my favorite violin, even though it is a bit too small for my  big violin makers hands. Its the one I grab…I so much enjoy playing this violin. I love its warm sound at the ear, it’s soft feel for the left hand, the […]

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 […]