I have always played violin.
And I have always had a keen interest on sciences...

Put these two passions together with a delight for "fine work" and you'll find ...
instrument making !

My love for sciences first led me to scientific studies, ending with a 6-month research traineeship at IRCAM in Paris.
But after my Master's degree in Applied Sciences at the University of Liège (ULg) I moved to Cremona, where I was privileged to learn violinmaking in a school (IPIALL) and under the direction of Maestro P.Pistoni, Maestro A.Voltini and Maestro P.Triffaux (among others) for nearly four years.

Now I'm back to Liège, where I share my time between instrument-making and repair, electronics, music, and some teaching activities, at ULg and the Royal Conservatory of Music of Liège.

Arnaud Méwissen

Restoration, repair

Restoration can cause a few headaches but it can also be very satisfactory to a stringed-instrument maker. The skills required for instrument-making together with experience, analysis, strategy, patience and creativity are essential in the restoration of instruments.

Complex problems can only be solved by skilled hands and a clear mind.

Instrument making

I specialize in string quarted instruments, when I have the time. Every instrument creation is a different journey through wood, model, varnish and ... sound.

A lot of choices have to be made requiring evaluation, intuition, curiosity and experience.

But I am also open to others instruments in an experimental fashion. For example I am building an irish bouzouki whith wood/carbon composite bars, merging my engineer background with a traditional craft.

Each requirement is different ; don't hesitate to let me know about your projects and dreams.

Set-up

An instrument has to be healthy and sound at its best.
The overall nature of the instrument goes beyond the straightforward soundpost adjustment. Many other aspects can be investigated according to the optimal requirements of the instrument/performer.

Bow rehair & repair

I learned to rehair bows with Maestro E.Slaviero in Cremona.
I use only high quality hair from Mongolia.
As bow-making is highly-skilled craftsmanship which I respect, I only undertake relatively small repairs on bows. Just ask me !

Buying and selling instruments

I am slowly increasing my collection of instruments, from beginner to professional models.

Please check out the gallery in the (Work)shop section if you want to have a look at them.

Electronic maintenance & advice

Music is multifarious.
Indeed, I am likely to feel intensely emotional when dealing with a beautiful classical instrument but I am also very interested in choosing and processing sound which can possibly widen the instrument’s capabilities from hi-fidelity acoustics to complex sound adjustment tweaking and computing options.

Again, feel free to ask me for any advice in this particular field.
I also carry out maintenance of analogical electronic musical devices such as pedals, preamps, etc...