The “Espressivo” range
These are the completely handmade high-end instruments for the professional player or the dedicated amateur. In this range, you’ll find my classical instruments, designed instruments, prototypes as well as completely customized Neolins.
The instruments of the “Espressivo” range are built from first choice resonance wood of European origin and at least 20 years of seasoning. The only limits to their shapes and finishes are your imagination and the confines of the materials used.
Some examples of instruments in the “Espressivo” range: the elegant horned violins, an impressive 5-string viola (with a low f string) after a model inspired by the horned violin, the Neola, several Neolins in exotic woods (rosewood and red cedar) with an absolutely fantastic and unique sound-colour, the astonishing 6-string electroacouc Neolin (from low f to violin c), theNeoloncello, etc…
According to my customers, these instruments do not shy away from comparison to some of the finest pieces of contemporary violin making – concerning sound, workmanship and choice of materials – with added originality, new sounds and playing techniques and, last but not least – an electro-acoustic design !
The Espressivo range is sold with a violin case.
Prices: From 6900 Euros. More information on request
The “Rubato” range
This is the well-known version of the Neolin produced in a small numbered series in our French workshop. The Neolins of the Rubato range are built in a series of ten (+ frequently one or two prototypes per series) in chosen tonewood of European origin. To speed up work without losing quality, the rough work is done by CNC machines, whereas the wood finish, varnish and setup are done manually.
A large choice of options, archings and finishes will allow you to have your customized “Rubato” created. You are unique, why shouldn’t your instrument be ? You will have the choice between fretted or fretless versions, or a version with two interchangeable fingerboard, bridges with or without anti-mute, several varnishes from the most classical to the fanciest ones, etc… (check the complete list)
We have already built several prototypes on the base of the “Rubato” Neolin. For example: the Chorus Neolin (the playstrings are doubled), the Neolin d’amore (5 string with 8 resonance strings), the Guitar-Neolin (6 strings tuned like an octave-guitar),etc. Similar projects could be realized on the base of classical violins produced in small series !
The Neolin’s Rubato range is sold with a violin case.
Prices: From 2050 Euros. More information on request
As to the brand-new violin from the Rubato range, it finally saw the light of day – and in a more elegant way than it was originally meant to. Rather than digitizing the archings of a reference-model, with the help of my trainee Yohan R., professional CNC-designer, we redesigned a complete 3D-model of the « Medicis » Stradivari, to the smallest detail, including the archings.
The result, finished, varnished with high-quality oil-varnish and set up by hand according to traditional methods, is worth – or rather is – a master-craftsman quality instrument. Even more so with the wood used, cut in the 40th in the Bacarian Alpes, of which I still have enough for a dozen instruments or so.
The only thing which really changes compared to other master-craftsmen built violins is… the price.
That’s just fine, as the aim was to supply excellent quality violins for an affordable price, as every music-student or gifted amateur doesn’t have parents who are dental surgeons or business lawyers…
One big advantage of the manufacturing by CNC-mill on the basis of a 3D design, and with wood from the same stock, is that the instruments are nearly 100% reproducible – not only form an esthetic, but also from a tonal viewpoint.
So, if you try one violon from the Rubato-range and like it, you can be sure that there is no risk in ordering one, as the next one will be nearly identical to its twin.
Please check out the pictures and the recordings below.
Prices from 4000 Euros. More information on request
The “ Legato” range
Lovely violins from the ¼ to 4/4, made in a little family-run workshop in China. All instruments from the Legato range are opened in my workshop, the thickness of the bellies is improved, taking advantage of my 16 years of professional experience to get the best sound possible, and a new bass bar is fitted. From the ¾ on, at customer request, the bellies are reworked in “Neolin style” (thinner and reinforced with cross-bracing) for a more modern sound, more powerful, and very responsive. Also from the ¾ model, they are on request fitted with the built-in “boton” pick-up.
Fretting is possible – and recommended ! from the ¼ onwards. Moreover, all these instruments are fitted with either fine-tuning pegs by Wittner, or tuning mechanics by Gotoh. No more need of imprecise wooden pegs and clumsy fine-tuners on the tailpiece ! All the other accessories are from ebony, bridge and sound post from first choice wood and cut, fitted and adjusted in our workshop. The Legato range is strung with “Pirastro Chromcor”, to guarantee durability and tuning with the frets.
This range exists with a beautiful oil vanish made in China, new or antiqued, or with a customized finish made in France: transparent alcohol varnish, dripping, tattoos, Urushi…. The complete set of options as for the Neolin is available. This is equally true for the options 4/5 string hybrid, 5-string and the anti-mute bridge.
The Legato are the entry-level to access the Neolin’s universe. They are made for those who are not yet big enough to play a Neolin, those who don’t have the money yet to buy one, or those particularly attached to the form of the classical violin. But don’t be mistaken: The Legato are entry level, but in no way are they “downmarket” ! They combine excellent workmanship, reworked and optimized sound components, innovative high quality equipment, and they offer a revolutionary and highly efficient approach of learning for the fretted version. If you find something better somewhere else, please tell us !
The Legato range is sold without bow or case, please inquire about options and availablity.
Prices: From 1200 Euros. More information on request
