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 70 celli, 169 violins, and 70 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. I’ve
played violin with the Anchorage Symphony, the Anchorage Opera, and several
other groups throughout the state of Alaska.
At present I only perform
for the house cat.
Violins:
I have two 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 the 1704 Stradivarius Betts violin.
I shade the varnish sometimes but do no antiquing.
Viola:
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.
Cello:
I have three 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. The third is based on a 1572 Andrea Amati
cello. This model is slightly longer that the Strad model with a shorter string
length.
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 2025.
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
Photo Documentation of building Osnes
Cello #46, 2006
1.Startup 2.Fingerboard
preparation
3.Carving a scroll
4.Mold
set up
5.Bending the ribs
6.Top and
back preparation
7.Arching Top
& Back
8.Graduating the
Plates
9.Purfling &
Edges
10.Fitting the Neck
11.Varnish
12.Setup
