The violins

Third essai of my new project “Mieulx ne Sçay”. In addition to the warmness and richness of harmonics of the sound, greater power and projection are being defined in this instrument.

Designed in 2019 by integrating my pentagonal-based method with the calculation of harmonic proportions suggested by François Denis, I wanted to have the aesthetic features that I like best in my favourite models, model “A” and model “B”, combined together in a single model.

The abbreviation “MNS” is a wink to the French luthier Lucien Schmitt (1892-1984) who coined the words “Mieulx ne Sçay” (Better I Don’t Know) for his personal model.

The first model entirely designed by me, in 1980. “A” as Amati, which I was initially inspired by. Over time my style has matured deviating from the master, but I still often use the form that corresponds to this model, which I am particularly fond of.

I designed this model in 1990 inspired by the more “masculine” lutherie of the Stradivaris, as opposed to my model A which is inspired by the feminine forms of the Amati. I still enjoy using it because of its excellent sound qualities.

I chose this Stradivari as my first model inspired by the great luthier. I often use it as a reference point to evaluate the aesthetic and acoustic evolution of my personal models.