If you are interested in commissioning an
instrument, please know that I would welcome your involvement in the exciting
process of bringing an instrument to life.There are so many variables, from
model and size to choice of wood and finish of the varnish.Prices and wait times vary depending on the
particulars – please contact me by phone or email to find out more.
My approach to instrument making is very old school – I handpick the
wood, which mostly comes from Europe (although I am not religious about this), and
prefer doing all the actual woodwork by hand.I feel this gives me a unique
opportunity to get to know the properties of each piece of wood I am working
on.I have been known, in the interest
of expediency, to sometimes use a band saw, but in general, I find hand tools a
lot more enjoyable to operate than machines.
Given the right circumstances, however, I
can be open to contemporary ideas! I am beginning to look into the use of advanced technology to determine sound properties of a particulare piece of wood.
Here are some examples of what people have said about my instruments:
"I have played a violin which Ute made and I have regularly listened, in rehearsals and performances, to the cello which she made for her own use. The craftsmanship demonstrated in these instruments is superb, as is the sound which they produce." (John W.M. Lawton, Adelaide, Australia)
"... I thought you may be interested in the journey of this beautiful instrument. This Christmas our 13-year-old daughter Clara did get her first full-sized viola ... the new instrument is labelled 'Ute Zahn, Newark' and was given to Clara by her godmother. Yesterday the instrument was played for the first time in 15 years. ... The instrument sounded great and despite its large dimensions Clara would not want to return to her old instrument! Her viola teacher Andrew Williams thought the viola had a lovely sound and admired the excellent workmanship (Andrew is principal violist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra). The instrument is a much-valued addition to our family and we hope it will get even better with regular playing..." (Andreas Hilger, Ipswich, U.K)
"I play a viola you made for the Beverley Music Centre ... about twenty years ago. It's a lovely instrument and a pleasure to play..." (Eileen Farrelly, London, U.K)
