Now playing . . .
John O'Neill's "Awakenings"

Nelle Doak O'Neill
Luthier


Carson Valley, Nevada

Photo by Belinda Grant,
Gardnerville, Record-Courier
Viola (Liane), completed April, 2002
Awarded First Place for Tone, 2002, VMAAI

Contact by phone (775) 267-3495 or
Email fidlmkr2@charter.net

Nelle O’Neill began studying the violin at the age of nine and graduated from the Ithaca College School of Music as a violin major. She has played and taught violin and viola professionally for over 35 years and presently, with her husband John, is a Founding Director of the Carson Valley Violin School in Nevada.

Nelle made her first violin in 1985 and since 1990, has studied violin making and restoration with master luthier, Edward Campbell of the Chimneys Violin School at his yearly violin making workshop in Tucson, sponsored by the Violin Makers Association of Arizona International (VMAAI), the oldest organization of its type in the United States. Along with that association, she is a member of the Catgut Acoustical Society, Violin Society of America, American String Teachers Association and the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

While many makers approach their craft from a background of woodworking, Nelle works from the point of view of a performing violinist and understands the importance of good sound and ease of playing to the musician. Her instruments have won numerous awards at the VMAAI annual competitions, including a "First Place Overall" and "Second Place Tone Award", viola, 2001; "First Place Tone Award", viola, 2002, 2004; "Second Place, Tone Award", violin, 2002; "Second Place Tone Award" small viola, 2006; "Second and Third Place Tone Awards" and "Third Place Overall Award", large violas, 2006; "Second Place Tone Award", small viola, 50th anniversary VMAAI competition, October, 2008 in Tucson, Arizona.

Nelle is currently producing several fine violins and violas each year and accepts commissions.

All instruments are available for trial, are fully guaranteed and, upon purchase, come with a certificate of origin and value.

Two of Nelle's violas that originally sold for $5-6,000 have recently been valued at $10,000 and $15,000. She is now accepting a limited number of commissions for violins and violas.

Go here for information on commissioning an instrument.

NEW!
Nelle's Notebook
a potpourri of her
'works-in-progress' . . .


Violin, 'Daniel'

Completed, June, 2010

Created especially for Dr. Daniel Lu


Dear Nelle,

Thank you so much for your fine work!!! Your violin has exceeded my highest expectations . . . I'm not sure if you know, but I've played the "top" modern makers in the past year . . . and your violin ranks among them!

Thank you Nelle!

Daniel

$5,900
SOLD

This violin is modeled after the "Kreisler" of 1730 by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu. The top is ofAAA well aged 1998 Dolomite Italian Spruce with a distinctive 'bear claw' on the lower bass side. The back, ribs and neck are of finely flamed, 2001 Bosnian Maple.

Coloring and finish are a red madder lake layered between multiple coats of oil terpene varnish, using all natural resins and colors, in the manner of the Cremona masters.

The fine Caviuna wood white-trimmed fittings with heart shaped pegs are custom made in Brazil.

Violin, 'Kristine 2'

Completed, January, 2010

Created especially for Kristine Rolofson

. . . in the 'white', before varnishing . . .



SOLD

This violin is modeled after the “Kreisler” of 1730 by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu. The top is of AAA tightly grained, well aged Dolomite Italian spruce cut in 1998 . The back, ribs and neck, are of finely flamed, well aged Bosnian Maple cut in 2001.

Coloring and finish are a red and brown madder lake layered between multiple coats of oil terpene varnish, using all natural resins and colors, in the manner of the Cremona masters. The fine Caviuna wood fittings are custom made in Brazil.

Violin, 'Kerry'

Completed, October, 2009

Created especially for Kerry Webb

$5,900
SOLD

This violin is modeled after the “Kreisler” of 1730 by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu. The top is of AAA tightly grained, well aged Dolomite Italian spruce cut in 2001 . The back, ribs and neck, all cut from the same tree, are of AA well aged, medium flame Bosnian Maple cut in 2000.

Coloring and finish are a red madder lake over a golden ground, layered between multiple coats of oil terpene varnish; using all natural resins and colors, in the manner of the Cremona masters. Fittings are of fine Pernumbuco, grown and crafted by master makers in Brazil.

Viola, 'Elizabeth'
(15 3/8")

Completed, May, 2009
Commissioned by Elizabeth Hughson,

$6,900
SOLD

This small viola is modeled after the famous 'Gasparo da Salo', c. 1580 which was the favorite instrument of NBC Symphony Principal Violist, Louis Kievman. The top is AAA medium grain, Oregon Englemann Spruce cut in 1994. The two-piece back, neck and ribs are of deeply flamed, 1988 Oregon Bigleaf Maple. Coloring and finish are red madder lake over a golden ground, layered between multiple coats of oil-terpene varnish in the manner of the ancient Cremona masters. Fittings are polished rosewood.

Violin, 'Alexis'

Completed, October, 2008

Created especially for Alexis Reza

$4,900
SOLD

This violin is modeled after the “Kreisler” of 1730 by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu. the top is of AAA tightly grained, fifty year old Colorado Engelmann spruce (picea engelmanni). The back, ribs and neck, all cut from the same tree, are of AAA ten year old Bosnian Maple (acer pseudoplatanus). Coloring and finish are a red madder lake over a golden ground, layered between multiple coats of oil terpene varnish; using all natural resins and colors, in the manner of the Cremona masters. Fittings are of fine Pernumbuco, grown and crafted by master makers in Brazil.

THIS JUST IN . . .

Nelle's award winning violia, 'Liane', has found a new home!

We recently received this Email from Natasia Boyko . . .

In January I was in the market for a viola. I went to my luthier to see what he could offer me as far as a "small" but dynamic instrument. The first instrument he handed me was Liane. I put her on my shoulder, tightened my bow and began to play . . . as soon as the hair gripped the strings, a spiritual connection was made, and Liane began speaking to my soul. She has a voice that resonates with the human spirit. My luthier was right; for a viola so small, she really projects and the thin neck is perfect for smaller hands. After 1-2 weeks of test driving her in different venues, we were inseparable! I finally found your website and read Liane's page. Reading the reviews cited from violists at the International Viola Congress confirmed to me how wonderful this instrument is . . . any violist looking for a smaller viola with clear tone and a powerful voice should be fighting to have Liane!

I am honored to announce that I will be attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan for my senior year . . . with Liane at my side!

For more violins, Go here

For violas, scroll down

From Tree to Concert Hall
 Go here to watch Nelle make a violin

Nelle's Violas

Viola, 'Muller'

(15 15/16"/505mm)

Completed, May, 2008

Awarded Second Place for Tone
VMAAI 50th Anniversary Competition
Tucson, Arizona, October 15, 2008


Commissioned by Dr. Muller Fabbri,
internationally recognized cancer researcher, currently
at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
in Columbus, Ohio

$5,900
SOLD

The top is of medium grain, 1985, Oregon Engelmann Spruce (picea engelmanni). The two piece back, neck and ribs are of deeply flamed, 1995, Oregon Bigleaf Mple (acer macrophyllum). Coloring and finish are of red madder lake over a golden ground, layered between multiple coats of oil-terpene varnish, in the manner of the ancient Cremona masters. Fittings are of polished rosewood.

Viola, 'Farley' (16 1/4")

Completed, August, 2006
Made especially for Robert Cross

Awarded 2nd place for tone at the 2006
competition of The Violin Makers Association of
Arizona International
Hi Nelle,

. . . I still get a wonderful feeling each time I play . . . or even look at 'Farley'!

$5,000
SOLD

This viola is modeled after the 1676 “Conte Vitali” Viola of Andrea Guarneri. Undesirable effects of aging, including arching deformities, have not been included in the design. The top is of medium grain, 1982 Oregon Engelmann Spruce (picea engelmanni). The one-piece, 1997 back, neck and ribs are of medium flamed Oregon Bigleaf Maple (acer macrophyllum). Coloring and finish are of red madder lake over a golden ground, layered between multiple coats of oil-terpene varnish in the manner of the ancient Cremona masters. Fittings are French style pegs and Hill design tailpiece, both of polished rosewood.

Viola, 'Andrew' (16 1/4")

Completed, April, 2006
Commissioned by Andrew McIntosh

Awarded 3rd place for tone at the 2006 competition
of The Violin Makers Association of Arizona
International

Hello Nelle,

I just wanted to say that I am absolutely loving my viola . . . it sounds fantastic!

$5,000
SOLD

This viola is modeled after the 1676 ‘Conte Vitali’ Viola of Andrea Guarneri. Undesirable effects of aging, including arching deformities have not been included in the design. The top is of aged medium grain split European spruce. the back, neck and sides are of medium to fine flamed German maple. Coloring and finish is of red madder lake over a golden yellow ground, layered between multiple coats of oil terpene varnish in the manner of the ancient Cremona masters. Fittings are of polished rosewood.

Viola, 'Michele' (15 7/8")


Completed, October, 2006

Awarded Second Place for Tone at the 2006 Competition of
The Violin Makers Association of Arizona International

$5,000

SOLD

The top of this easy to play viola is of medium grain, aged AAA spruce from the famous Val di Fiemme Forest in Northern Italy, said to be the source of wood for Stradivari's instruments. the back, ribs and scroll are of beautiful deeply flamed native American Big Leaf Maple cut in 1988. Coloring is a red madder lake, layered between coats of oil terpene varnish, using all natural materials in the manner of the Cremona masters. The French-style pegs, Hill tailpiece and fittings are of select rosewood.

Players comment on the overall evenness of this instrument and the unusual richness of the lower strings.

Viola, 'Belle' (15 7/8")


Completed, October, 2004
Awarded First Place for Tone at the 2004 Competition of
The Violin Makers Association of Arizona International

Hi Nelle,

Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know I'm still loving to play 'Belle'. . . I keep getting compliments on how beautiful she sounds!

Gisela

$5,000
SOLD

The two piece top is of aged Englemann spruce cut in the mountains of Idaho at 7,000 feet. The two piece back is cut on the quarter and, with the neck and ribs, is of well flamed and aged European maple. Coloring is a red madder lake, layered between multiple coats of oil terpene varnish over a golden ground, using all natural materials in the manner of the Cremona masters.

The rich 'C' string, over-all evenness and carrying power of this easy-to-play instrument are exceptional for a small viola.

From Sue Kitts, Principal Violist of the Carson City Symphony
and Concertmaster of the Ruby Mountain Symphony

Nelle . . .

I LOVE MY VIOLA (Kathleen)!!! Several people have commented on its beautiful tone. The more I play it, the more I love it. What a treat to play on such a fine instrument!

Please feel free to give out my name and email as a reference. I am very proud to endorse such excellent craftsmanship.

More Violas . . .


"Kathleen"

"Lydie"

"Liane"


Nelle's Violins

Violin, 'Angelina'


Completed on commission, April, 2007

This violin is modeled after the "Kreisler" of 1730 by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu. The top is of aged Englemann spruce cut in 1989 and the back, ribs and neck are of well flamed Bosnian maple cut c.1994.

Coloring and finish are of red madder lake over a golden yellow ground, layered between multi coant of oil terpine varnish. Fittings are of fine grade ebony.

$4,500
SOLD

Violin, 'The Swan'


Completed on commission, August, 2007

This violin is modeled after the "Kreisler" of 1730 by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu. The top is of AAA tightly grained, aged Englemann spruce cut in 1988 and the back, ribs and neck are of AAA aged Bosnian maple.

Coloring and finish are a red madder lake, layered between multiple coats of oil terpene varnish, using all natural resins and colors, in the manner of the Cremona masters. Fittings are of fine ebony with a Hill style rosewood chinrest.

$4,500
SOLD

Violin, 'Christopher'


Completed, October, 2002
Awarded Second Place for Tone at the 2002
Competition of The Violin Makers Association of Arizona International

Not for sale . . . Nelle has decided
to keep 'Christopher' for her personal violin

The deep red color of this del Gesu model was achieved with multi coats of red madder lake over a golden yellow ground between layers of oil varnish. The top is of medium grain, 10 year old select Idaho Engleman Spruce and the two piece back and ribs are of highly flamed Bosnian Maple. The fittings are of boxwood with attractive German heart shaped pegs. The G string is especially rich and tone is warm and even throughout while pleasantly full in the upper register.

For information on commissioning an instrument,

GO HERE

More Violins . . .


"David R"

"Jack"

"Kristine"

Contact by phone (775) 267-3495 or
Email fidlmkr2@charter.net

Major credit cards accepted through Paypal

From Tree to Concert Hall
Follow the creation of a violin . . .
from the preliminary plans, to its first playing

1. The Beginnings

2. Bending the Ribs
3. Assembling the Ribs and Liners
 4. The Plates

5. Purfling

 6. Graduating and Tuning the plates
7. The Scroll, Neck and Fingerboard 8. Putting the Pieces Together!
9. The Finishing Touches
The Violin Lesson

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Last update
July 2, 2010

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