The studio
Violin making is my passion
Workshop, showroom, treasure trove, think tank and a little bit of a museum – all this belongs to the headquarters of »HAGEN WEISE« in Baiersdorf. Baiersdorf, the small neighboring town of the “violin making metropolis of modern times” Bubenreuth, is located in the center of the European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg. The region is not only the second largest economic center in Bavaria and a mecca of art and culture, but also an important center in the field of musical instrument manufacturing.
Hotspot with global appeal.
»HAGEN WEISE« stands for high-quality violins, violas and cellos, which are developed and manufactured with a preference for models by Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesu and other classical masters. In addition, the small workshop also offers high-quality and professional accessories such as bows, cases, strings, as well as repair services and sound adjustments of stringed instruments.
The showroom has been open since 2021. Here, musicians and customers are offered the perfect stage to play instruments,
to compare and, if desired, to work directly with the master.
Materials
Wood - the true treasure of our instruments
Selected and matured tonewoods are our complete treasure. The perfect storage and aging, the individual selection and composition of woods for each individual instrument and the perfect treatment and refinement of the natural material, create sound experiences of special quality.
Instrument
Most »HAGEN WEISE« instruments preference
Models by Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesu and other classical masters. However, the individual sound with response, power and modulation ability of the instrument are influenced by each individual piece of wood, by shaping the various material thicknesses and curvatures. Nuances in the range of a 10th of a millimeter can make a crucial difference here.
Features
The perfect sound of each instrument is created by the perfect interaction of all components. That is why I pay the utmost attention to the so-called assembly of soundpost, bridge, tailpiece with strings and chinrest. These details have a significant affect in creating the perfect sound for your instrument.
Sonowood
Against the background of the overuse of tropical woods, I work with regional alternatives from Swiss tonewood specialist Sonowood on request for fingerboard and mounts.
The regional woods, which are highly compressed in a special process, are more than a match for the classic woods used for these components, such as ebony or rosewood.
Herstellung des Zargenkranzes mit einer Innenform
Anleimen der Reifchen
Fertiger Zargenkranz
Production
The path from wood to a unique sound experience
“You can’t build a premium violin without passion and absolute attention to detail” (Hagen Weise).
Between 100 to 150 working hours are applied per instrument to get the best out of the precious tonewoods. Besides experience, the highest precision is required. In addition, at every step of the process you have to “read and feel” the wood, because the perfect sound depends on the finest nuances in the workmanship, since even a 10th of a millimeter can make a difference.
Hagen Weise
Violin making is my passion
I grew up surrounded by music, so my passion for music and for the craft of playing instruments was kindled at an early age.
The path to becoming a master luthier began in the 1980s and first led me to guitar making, which I learned in Markneunkirchen, the main town in the Vogtland region of Germany. For centuries, Markneunkirchen has been one of the handful of important locations for instrument making worldwide.
In the early 1990s I moved to the Franconian town of Bubenreuth, where I pursued violin making.
After ten years of experience in various positions – including responsibility for tonewood purchasing – I began the joint business with a partner at the Bubenreuth location in 2001 before receiving my master certification in 2004.
2019 saw the move to neighbouring Baiersdorf and into a much larger workshop and studio.
