The year started at the BVMA makers day 25th of Feb at Kings place in London. I brought two violas to exhibit-Andrea Guarneri 1690 inspired copy 16 1/4 and a cut down re-designed Guarneri viola sized at 15 3/4. The larger viola was picked for the afternoon concert ( 7 years in a row I have had an instrument chosen ), and the smaller viola was taken out on trial and was later sold to a very accomplished player, so it was a very successful BVMA makers day.
The violin above is loosely based on GB Guadagnini 1774 Salabue copy that I made three years ago, and this violin has brought me three commissions on the back of it. I love making these Guadagnini inspired violins, bags of character, wonderful craftsmanship and the most fabulous varnish work. You can hear this violin above played on chloedickensviolin /instagram
Looking ahead to Autumn now , the Guadagnini bubble is still going and I am on my second Guad violin making commission and a Stradivarius golden period violin at the end of this year .
I have been in business now over twenty years, and the trade has sustained myself and many of my fellow colleagues well over the years. However, like all businesses and trades, things are tougher now due to many things such as import duty, rising prices of stock, and of course many more talented instrument makers. With all the incredible shared violin, viola and cello making weeks and online courses, the trade and skill levels have only got better. It’s a great time to be a maker and a restorer, with lots of information and help all over instagram and the web.
On a personnel level, I ended up in hospital for three nights due to an ongoing infection, but thanks to the wonderful care of the NHS (and Lyn!) and a lot of rest, I am on the road to recovery. Perhaps a slight tweak in my life style and the promise to drink more water and it should all be fine!
We have a new addition to family, the wonderful Poppy has arrived. Poppy is a re home and another loving black Labrador. Lovely to be back to long beach walks and fun chasing the ball!
Colin made me a Guarneri violin back in 2016 and I’ve been extremely happy with it. It makes a beautiful sound and it’s seen me through conservatoire and now into my professional career. It’s a gorgeous instrument and I look forward to many years to come with it by my side. Colin is lovely to work with and always very interested and helpful whenever I take my violin to get serviced. I recommend Adamson violins to anyone looking for a new instrument.
I’ve been the lucky owner of one of Colin’s Violins for 3 years now. The tone, the balance and the ease of playability have inspired and pushed me to play and to explore techniques and styles that I had not dared to attempt before. I’ve never been happier with an instrument and the violin has been all over the world with me.Colin himself is a wonderfully kind man, a master craftsman and incredibly attentive. His regular updates during the build process were a regular excitement for me and he is very mindful of the upkeep and maintenance of the instruments after completion. His dedication is inspiring and I could not recommend him any more highly for those looking for a world class instrument to further their playing and career.
I am the proud and delighted owner of a Colin Adamson Guarneri copy violin which was made for me in 2019. Despite my being just a very keen amateur player, Colin was lovely to deal with at every stage of the violin commission and I always felt a cherished customer. He sent me photos and videos as my violin was being created which was so exciting and lovely to keep. Any professionals who have played the violin have been so clearly impressed by its quality; of tone, responsiveness, ‘handling’ and beautiful antiqued appearance. I love practising and playing it every day.
I am the delighted owner of one of Colin’s Magini violas. Colin was very attentive to my requests and created a spectacular instrument! The rich tone matches the rich appearance of the viola. After playing it for 6 years, I couldn’t be more pleased.
I have been playing this beautiful viola made by Colin Adamson since 2020. Colin is an exceptional Luthier whose instruments are modeled lovingly on the great Italian masters. Mine is an Andrea Guarneri inspired viola that has sounded glorious from the day I first picked it up. His restoration and repair work is also of the highest quality.
Colin serviced my 100 year old violin. It came back looking pristine. As well as this, the sound was much clearer and more focused. It is so reassuring to take your instrument to someone who you trust and takes such care and pride in their work.Thanks Colin
The year started at the BVMA makers day 25th of Feb at Kings place in London. I brought two violas to exhibit-Andrea Guarneri 1690 inspired copy 16 1/4 and a ...Read More
Summer 2023 update!
It's been a while! Can't quite believe how time flies! The last 3 years have been incredibly busy. I managed to finish a cello during the first lockdown. I enjoyed ...Read More
