Foire Aux Questions
Can I visit Violonier's workshop?
The Violonier company does not have premises open to the public. Nevertheless it is possible to visit the workshop only by appointment and for reasons defined in advance, my time management being critical and precious.
For any appointment request, please use the contact form.
Is Violonier a lutherie workshop?
Not exactly. Even if I make violins regularly, I don't define myself as a luthier because I didn't go to a violin making school. I have nevertheless taken private lutherie training which allows me to master a large part of the traditional techniques and above all I have a basic training as an engineer in mechanical design which gives me a different and complementary view to that of traditional luthiers. I realized over time that my technical knowledge could be useful in areas where it is sometimes lacking. This is particularly the case for:
– Precise measurements and calculations of the mechanical balance of the violin and its geometry
– Rigorous product design methods
– Innovative and modern manufacturing processes other than manual or semi-industrial manufacturing
– The use of digital calculation, simulation or Computer Aided Design tools
– The mastery of web, marketing and graphic design tools which offer many more possibilities to serve customers than those of a traditional store-workshop
– etc…
I respect and mix with the world of traditional lutherie with pleasure and I am driven by a constant desire to establish and cultivate fruitful interactions with luthiers who are valuable partners and also represent a good part of my customers.
Where are the products sold on violonier.com designed?
With the exception of a few products for purchase-resale, the products are all designed by me. It is one of the most important activities for me because it is the one where I have the most value to add. My approach is focused on the analysis of the user's needs and I research and rigorously select the technical solutions that meet these needs. This approach is all the more natural to me since I am a violinist myself and therefore feel these needs directly in the field.
Where are the products sold on violonier.com made?
The products are partly outsourced and partly made by me. It's about maintaining a balance between the time I can devote to it and having total control over the quality. I have set myself the rule of carrying out myself the steps that have a great importance on the functionality and the perceived value of the product, in particular the operations of control, adjustment and finishing. The operations that I subcontract are entrusted to local partners whom I can fully trust. I do not have a policy of outsourcing to low-cost countries because the experience I have had of this practice in the industry has repeatedly shown me that it was never beneficial in the medium term.
These choices are also in line with my desire to contain my environmental footprint and to give my activity the conditions for a strong sustainability. This is the reason why I almost never use exotic woods, for example. Most of them come from endangered species or from regions whose biodiversity has suffered too much.