About me
Quality and attention to detail for exceptional acoustics and finish
V. MARTÍN GONZÁLEZ
Welcome to my workshop! I’m a luthier specializing in string instruments.
I am Martín González, a luthier specializing in the construction and tuning of bowed string instruments: violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. My training began in 2015 at the prestigious Antonio Stradivari International School of Violin Making in Cremona, where I entered the third year directly after passing the entrance exam. There I learned the Stradivari Method, perfecting the traditional construction technique without the use of machinery, emulating the legacy of the legendary Antonio Stradivari.
During my final years of training, I focused on the acoustic tuning and structural analysis of historic instruments, collaborating with the Violin Museum on documentation, measurement, and study of masterpieces such as those by Antoniazzi and Sgarabotto. After completing my studies, I remained in Cremona for two more years, working with some of the city’s most renowned luthiers, with whom I maintain a close professional relationship.
Today, I merge that knowledge with the Galician sound identity to offer instruments with a unique personality, where tradition, character, and sensitivity come together in each piece.
PROCESSES AND MATERIALS
Learn about the raw materials and techniques I use to make my instruments.
Selection and drying of wood
I work with the highest quality wood, aged for at least 10 years, personally supervised.
Cutting, molding and assembly
I carve and assemble each piece of wood by hand, achieving a solid structure and balanced acoustics.
Cremonese artisanal varnish
Made by me with top quality natural resins following traditional recipes for a unique final finish.
My Works
This instrument is inspired by “Illa de Medal,” a small island at the mouth of the Verdugo River, near Ponte Sampaio (Pontevedra), where the painter Antonio Medal met with great figures of the 20th century such as Castelao, Valle Inclán, and the violinist Manuel Quiroga.
The back of the violin features an aged and worn design representing the shape of the island with its bridge. Its varnish, with brownish amber tones and shades of red, evokes the sunsets seen from the island. The aged style gives it a very particular historical feel. Based on the Guarneri del Gesù 1743 “Carrodus” model, it has been ergonomically adapted to make the most of its sound potential.
This violin was built for the 2020 Santa Cecilia International Lutherie Competition in Rome, an event that was ultimately canceled due to the pandemic. Based on the Guarneri del Gesù 1743 “Carrodus” model, it is characterized by a warm, bright, powerful, and balanced sound. Special care has been taken in every phase of its construction, highlighting details, symmetries, and ergonomics. It is comfortable for both the left hand and the shoulder, making it a noble and easy-to-play instrument.