Clara – from the Late Latin name Clarus meaning “clear, bright”

Clara is my beloved violin. Commissioned from David Wiebe in 2013 whose main claim to fame was making a few instruments for Yehudi Menuhin, I did not receive the instrument for a full two years – exactly Christmas of 2015. I had tried a number of instruments from local Seattle shops, but eventually took the plunge based on encouragement from my teachers (both of whom play on Wiebe’s).

Crafted from North American maple and Englemann spruce, probably the most interesting thing about Clara is her one-piece top. Usually, violins are made with a two-piece top due to the ease of finding a suitably-sized piece of spruce. But David had a beautiful piece that was large enough and was eager to use it =).

The side and back sport maple with a wide flame, producing a rather mesmerizing effect!

The varnish is orange-brown. Visually, I could not be happier with my instrument *gushing*

Despite her name, Clara has a rather dark sound without being muddy. I have settled on Pirastro Passione gut strings over the years.

We’re going on 6 years, but a lifetime remains in the musical journey that Clara and I are on.

Have a listen!