Shanghai violin maker uses ‘secret formula’ to produce quality instrument
September 12, 2013 Leave a comment
Shanghai violin maker uses ‘secret formula’ to produce quality instrument
Staff Reporter
2013-09-12
Ling Zhenhua adjusts the strings on one of his violins. (Internet Photo)
Although painting violins is a dying art, it has not stopped 59-year-old Chinese violin maker Ling Zhenhua producing top-quality instruments. Ling’s weapon is his own “secret paint formula,” which he refuses to disclose, reports the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post. At his workshop in Shanghai’s suburban Qingpu district, Ling shuts himself off from the outside world while making paint for his violins. It normally takes him one to two months to make one pot of paint and takes the craftsman six months to produce a complete violin. Ling said that a good violin needs to be coated with at least 30 layers.China has long been a source of low and medium-end musical instruments for the international market. However, violins from Ling’s humble workshop are sought after by many of the world’s greatest musicians, including the late French violin expert Etienne Vatelot, who praised Ling by saying that at his workshop in Qingpu, “all of the violin’s secrets have be uncovered.”
Many world-renowned violinists including Pinchas Zukerman and Guy Braunstein have also recognized the high quality of violins made by Ling. Zukerman, who will hold a concert in Shanghai next month, will reportedly meet with Ling to discuss their collaboration in a joint project. The two plan to establish a foundation dedicated to training gifted Chinese violin players and makers, the paper said.
It was a passion for old Italian violins that inspired Ling to fix, maintain and make his own instruments. “Technology produces advanced tools and I want to use these tools to make old-fashioned violins,” Ling said.
About bambooinnovator
Bamboo Innovator 