John Osnes Violins
Hello
I am a violin maker living in Anchorage, Alaska. My name is John Osnes.
As of this year I have completed 69 celli, 164 violins, and 65 violas. I have also
built several guitars, two mandolins, two Viol da Gambas and various other
musical instruments.
I grew up in Everett, Washington, learning to play the violin at an early age.
In 1974, I graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Chemical
Engineering and stayed in that field for only two years, before switching to
instrument making.
Violins:
I have three models I work from. One is derived from the
Canon
by Guarnerius
del Gesu with various modifications to suit my
tastes. Body length is 14 inches and the string length is standard.
Another model I use is from the 1704 Stradivarius Betts violin.
The third model is based on a small Andrea Amati violin from 1566. The back is
13 3/4 inches long and the stop is 190 mm. The ribs and arching are full size
resulting in a big sound.
I shade the varnish sometimes, but do no antiquing.
At present I have been
building a 15 3/4 to 16 inch viola with a large lower bout and pretty low
arching resulting in a lot of power with a rich bottom end. My latest foray
into viola making involves a 15 ½ inch copy of a 1580 Gasparo
da Salo with double purfling.
Cellos:
I have two models that I favor. One is a small Strad model with standard string
measurements. The second is from a 1739 Domenico Montagnana model with the same
string length as the Strad but a larger body.
Vintage and new
Instruments and Bows:
I have new and vintage violins, viola, celli, cases and bows for sale in my
shop.
The shop will be open on a limited basis by appointment in 2023.
Happy New Year!
Links to Inventory for Sale:
Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass
Bows for Sale
Cases for Sale
John Osnes
8900 Jupiter Drive
Anchorage, AK 99507
907-346-3609
johnno@osnesviolins.com