The Workshop in Forchheim
WHERE TRADITION AND INDIVIDUALITY MEET.
In my workshop in Forchheim, every step is carried out with focus and patience. The sound begins here – in the carefully selected wood, in the shaping, in the quiet work on the details.
Every decision made during the building process influences the instrument’s future character. That’s why I work with restraint and mindfulness until material, construction, and sound come together in harmonious unity. In this way, each piece of wood becomes an instrument with its own identity – created to resonate, to respond, and to grow.
Tonewood with history
Over the years, a collection of carefully selected tonewoods has grown in my workshop – spruce, maple, and poplar from the finest regions of Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, and Bosnia.
Each piece of wood is individually inspected and selected for its sound, density, and grain. Most of it comes from stock that has been seasoned for decades – woods that have had time to mature and settle.
These materials form the very foundation of each instrument, carrying warmth, tension, and character that only reveal themselves as the instrument comes to life.
Precision in detail
Sound is born from subtleties. Even differences within a tenth of a millimeter determine how freely an instrument vibrates and how rich its tone becomes.
The top and back are shaped so that their arching and craftsmanship are precisely aligned with the instrument’s tonal character. The placement of the bass bar and the exact positioning of the F-holes are also determined with a refined sense of proportion and resonance, as their shape, size, and position significantly influence the top’s vibrational freedom and the instrument’s sound projection.
In my work, I draw inspiration from the finest models of the old Italian masters such as Stradivari, del Gesù, and others, in order to give the instruments timeless proportions, expressive power, and tonal presence.
In the glow of amber
The varnish forms the final layer between sound and light. In my workshop, I use a hand-prepared amber oil varnish made from Baltic amber and the finest linseed oil.
This varnish is among the finest in the violin-making tradition. It gives the instrument depth, warmth, and a delicate transparency – qualities that reflect the classic Italian aesthetic.
This creates a surface that not only protects but also completes the character and presence of each instrument.
Fittings and Fine Adjustment
The sound development of an instrument depends largely on its fittings. The bridge and soundpost are individually crafted for each violin until their shape and adjustment perfectly match the instrument’s tonal profile.
The selection of pegs, tailpieces, and chinrests also follows this principle of fine-tuning. Material, weight, and shape are chosen to optimally complement both the appearance and the sound of the instrument.
This creates a harmonious whole – in sound, playability, and expression.
30 years of experience in violin making
Ryszard Osowski was introduced early to the violin-making tradition of Bubenreuth and soon began working in renowned workshops. There, he gained extensive experience and deepened his knowledge through collaboration with skilled violin makers.
Over the course of more than three decades, he developed a deep understanding of sound, form, and expression. Today, he builds his instruments together with his son Dawid. Together, they dedicate themselves to crafting high-quality individual instruments, with a special focus on violins, complemented by selected violas and cellos.