Luthier Build: Matthew Graesch

Flamed birch back and neck.

We met Matthew at the VSA 2023 convention in Baltimore, MD and he purchased a complete kit off our table. The results: well we think the photos say it all.

Matthew has always been fascinated by stringed instruments and classical music. He claims that he doesn’t have much ability to play them well, but to build an instrument was a great outlet to be involved with music while using the tools and skills he already had. Thus he has spent the last five years teaching himself how to build.

This 15 3/4” viola used a single piece flamed Birch back with ribs, a single piece Engelmann Spruce top, and a flamed birch neck that were featured on our table.

Single piece Engelmann Spruce top.

When selecting woods for a viola, Matthew sought advice from an experienced viola builder, who indicated that Birch was the choice best suited for his style and the tonal quality he likes. The Birch proved to be just right for what he wanted, and the flamed pattern is extremely beautiful. He found that the wood was well seasoned and stable.

This was Matthew’s first viola, and it presented a set of challenges beyond just making a larger violin. He claims to be just a hobbyist and gets only a few moments a day after work or on weekends, so the build took about 8 months including making new forms and clamping blocks. The pattern is based on a viola made by Guadagnini. He chose this pattern because he has always admired the shapes of Guadagnini instruments. Unlike violins, violas have almost no "standard" measurements, so all of the measuring must be done using proportions and calculated guesswork rather than simply following a recipe. This was time consuming, but taught him a lot about how the instruments are constructed.