Serious athletes make use of the best equipment possible in order to help them perform better on the track or field. In a similar way, serious musicians invest in the best instruments they can find. To this end, violinists and cellists often turn to Scott Cao Violins for the master luthier's products.
A luthier repairs or makes lutes, guitars, violins, cellos, violas and other stringed instruments. It's a highly specialized skill and becoming a master luthier requires years of study, apprenticeship and practice. For this reason, many luthiers decide to focus either on plucked instruments like guitars or on bowed instruments like violins, violas and cellos.
Cao was born in China and used to work on a farm. However, a visiting teacher offered him the chance of becoming an apprentice in making violins and he jumped at the opportunity despite the fact that the Cultural Revolution was still in full swing, graduating in 1977. In 1985 he moved to the United States and under the tutelage of various master luthiers, he developed his craft.
In 1989 the luthier started his own company. He also returned to China. Today his company has workshops in GuangZhou and Campbell, California where violins, violas and cellos are crafted by expert luthiers, some of whom have won awards for their work. In GuangZhou there is also a factory where certain models are produced in greater numbers but even these are made entirely by hand and under the watchful eye of master craftsmen.
Some of the most sought-after models made in Cao's workshops are copies of famous Stradivarius violins. Antonio Stradivari was an 18th century luthier from Italy and his creations are the Rolls Royce of violins. Some of the Stradivarius instruments copied in the workshops include a cello design dating from 1726, violas like the Gibson and Archinto Stradivariuses as well as violins that were played by violinists like Joseph Joachim, Itzhak Perlman, David Oistrakh and Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Cao also makes copies of Guarnerius instruments, among them violins played by the likes of Fritz Kreisler and Nicolas Paganini. The Guarneri family were renowned luthiers in the 17th and 18th centuries and especially the work of Bartolomeu Guiseppe Guarneri del Gesu is sought after. In fact, Guarneri del Gesu is said to be an even greater luthier than Stradivari.
The violins, violas and cellos are sought after by collectors and professional musicians but students also flock to buy the more affordable models. Nigel Kennedy, Bin Hwang and Mark Volkert are just some of the musicians who have played the master luthier's violins. His praises have also been sung by Itzhak Perlman. The instruments are renowned for their tonal quality and beauty and often win international awards.
All across the United States there are some select dealers who sell Scott Cao violins, violas and cellos. You can find the instruments at certain dealers in Ireland, Norway, The Netherlands, Canada, Guatemala, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and New Zealand too. If you prefer a tailor-made instrument, you may have to contact the workshop in either Campbell or GuangZhou. For a second-hand instrument, simply browse through the advertisements on musicians' forums or check out auction websites.
A luthier repairs or makes lutes, guitars, violins, cellos, violas and other stringed instruments. It's a highly specialized skill and becoming a master luthier requires years of study, apprenticeship and practice. For this reason, many luthiers decide to focus either on plucked instruments like guitars or on bowed instruments like violins, violas and cellos.
Cao was born in China and used to work on a farm. However, a visiting teacher offered him the chance of becoming an apprentice in making violins and he jumped at the opportunity despite the fact that the Cultural Revolution was still in full swing, graduating in 1977. In 1985 he moved to the United States and under the tutelage of various master luthiers, he developed his craft.
In 1989 the luthier started his own company. He also returned to China. Today his company has workshops in GuangZhou and Campbell, California where violins, violas and cellos are crafted by expert luthiers, some of whom have won awards for their work. In GuangZhou there is also a factory where certain models are produced in greater numbers but even these are made entirely by hand and under the watchful eye of master craftsmen.
Some of the most sought-after models made in Cao's workshops are copies of famous Stradivarius violins. Antonio Stradivari was an 18th century luthier from Italy and his creations are the Rolls Royce of violins. Some of the Stradivarius instruments copied in the workshops include a cello design dating from 1726, violas like the Gibson and Archinto Stradivariuses as well as violins that were played by violinists like Joseph Joachim, Itzhak Perlman, David Oistrakh and Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Cao also makes copies of Guarnerius instruments, among them violins played by the likes of Fritz Kreisler and Nicolas Paganini. The Guarneri family were renowned luthiers in the 17th and 18th centuries and especially the work of Bartolomeu Guiseppe Guarneri del Gesu is sought after. In fact, Guarneri del Gesu is said to be an even greater luthier than Stradivari.
The violins, violas and cellos are sought after by collectors and professional musicians but students also flock to buy the more affordable models. Nigel Kennedy, Bin Hwang and Mark Volkert are just some of the musicians who have played the master luthier's violins. His praises have also been sung by Itzhak Perlman. The instruments are renowned for their tonal quality and beauty and often win international awards.
All across the United States there are some select dealers who sell Scott Cao violins, violas and cellos. You can find the instruments at certain dealers in Ireland, Norway, The Netherlands, Canada, Guatemala, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and New Zealand too. If you prefer a tailor-made instrument, you may have to contact the workshop in either Campbell or GuangZhou. For a second-hand instrument, simply browse through the advertisements on musicians' forums or check out auction websites.
About the Author:
For products with the Scott Cao name, look at the catalog at sgfiddles.com today. More images and specifications can be seen at http://sgfiddles.com now.
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