Jeroen Elswijk, violinmaker | Haarlem

NEW MAKING

Jeroen Elswijk builds violins, violas and celli by his own model and also copies Stradivarius or Guarneri models.

Next to learning the practical know-how of building a violin, Jeroen also made a research into the acoustic properties of violins, and how these properties can be influenced by different building techniques.

A publication of Carleen Hurtchins (violinmaker in the U.S. and co-founder of the Acoustical Society of America) stimulated him to do further research of the acoustic properties of all bowed instruments.

He also gains inspiration from his contact with violinists and from old instruments that are brought to him for restaurations.

He finds that a brilliant 'e' string, open and round 'a' string, warm 'g' string and plentiful core makes a violin sounds ideally.

Varnish and groundlayer

Jeroen found his varnish by doing a lot of research of old recipes. He uses an oil varnish based on traditional ingredients.

He uses a groundlayer developed by P.G. Schmidt.

Biography

Jeroen Elswijk learned the art of violinmaking by Paul de Froe. From 1994 he took lessons in building violins, violas, cellos and double bases. There, he also learned various restauration techniques.

After his studies he began to work at the atelier of Paul de Froe in Amstelveen. After Paul de Froe passed away, he continued to work there by himself until he moved the atelier to Haarlem in 2022.

His instruments are played in the Netherlands and abroad as well, by young talents, professionals, students and amateur musicians alike.

One of his violins is in the possession of the Dutch Music Instrument Fund (NMF).

Jeroen lives in Haarlem with his family, where he spends most of his time making new instruments.