I have known Jan since my youth already. Coincidentally, we both went to a very small village in the Czech Republic for our holidays. I remember that he, as a young boy, was already somehow busy dealing with violins and violin-making. I also already played the violin, but we never spoke to each other that much. Since 2011, I have seen him more often in this village. One day, I saw a viola hanging outside in his garden. I was interested, so I went to see him. He showed me this viola and he explained to me with lots of enthusiasm how he has built this instrument. During Summer 2015, I could try some of his violins and viola’s. I was looking for a viola for myself, so I was especially focused on that instrument. I liked one of his newest viola’s so much that I decided to buy it. My colleague (Boris Goldenblank) from the Johann Strauss Orchestra of famous violinist André Rieu, borrowed the viola for a while and he liked the sound very much. Also viola player Michael Kugel, teacher at the Conservatory of Maastricht (NL), shared this opinion.

The viola from Jan has a very warm sound. Due to that, it seems like it is already older. Also, this instrument is made according to a specific size, which makes it more easy for me as a violin player to play on a viola which is not too big. It is a wonderful instrument!.

Jan is very willing to build viola’s with several sizes. The smaller viola’s do not lose their warm sound so much. Also, Jan’s violins are amazing and highly recommendable! Besides violins and viola’s, Jan also builds celli and even Viola da Gamba’s and acoustic guitars. He also overhauls old violins very professional and he builds many violins according to different models (e.g. Stradivarius etc.). Despite his young age, Jan has already accomplished a lot. I can recommend him very much. In one way he is a very nice person to deal with and in another way, his instruments are very worth it. Highly recommendable for both students and professionals!