Portrait
Paolo Vettori is an Italian violin maker in Florence and the head of a workshop now in its third generation. He works alongside his sons Dario and Lapo and his daughter Sofia, all fine makers in their own right.
The workshop has a recognisable style and an unusual willingness to experiment, and the craftsmanship is exceptional. Paolo returns often to Guarneri del Gesu for violins, including the "Ole Bull", and to Santo Serafin for cellos. He chooses wood with real care, once describing a one-piece flamed maple back and ribs as looking like Italian marble.
Vettori instruments are played by soloists and by orchestral principals across the world, valued for a sound that is powerful and refined at once.
We have worked with the Vettori family for many years and their recent violins have repeatedly stopped us in our tracks. The Ole Bull models in particular combine qualities we almost never find together: dark in colour but with a lightning-fast response, powerful and ample with real projection. You feel the presence of one of these violins from the moment the bow touches an open string, and the resonance is second to none. The last two sold within a week each. The cellos share the same quick response and ease of playing, with an A string that sings with unusual clarity.
Elsewhere
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What distinguishes Paolo Vettori’s Ole Bull model violins?
The Paolo Vettori Ole Bull models we have handled combine a dark, resonant sound with a remarkably quick response. They produce a broad tone with plenty of power, yet feel easy to set in motion under the bow. That combination of depth and immediacy is what has particularly impressed us.
What do Paolo Vettori cellos sound like?
The Paolo Vettori cellos we have handled have a rich, powerful sound and respond readily across the strings. We particularly value the clarity of the A string, which sings freely above the fuller lower register. Their ease of response makes it possible to explore a wide range of colours without forcing the sound.
Where are Paolo Vettori instruments made?
In Florence, Italy.
