Common questions about the Ming-Jiang Zhu Violin Workshop in Guangzhou, China — the master luthier and the workshop's awards, the tonewoods and patterns used, available sizes, custom commissions, and how to get in touch.
Ming-Jiang Zhu (1956–2014) founded the workshop and was an internationally award-winning master luthier. He established the Guangzhou workshop in 1991 and, in 2014, was posthumously honored as a Master of Chinese Violin Making by the China National Light Industry Council.
Every instrument is fully handcrafted, without CNC machining. The workshop has earned 27 VSA (Violin Society of America) awards to date, continuing the Southern (Guangzhou) Chinese school of violin making in the classic Italian tradition.
Tonewood is chosen by grade. Entry models use Russian (or Yunnan, China) spruce tops with Sichuan maple backs; higher models (909 and above) upgrade to Italian or German spruce with Bosnian maple.
Violins are offered in Stradivari and Guarneri patterns, violas in Stradivari and Tertis patterns, and cellos in Stradivari, Goffriller and Montagnana patterns.
Violins from 1/4 to 4/4, violas from 14 to 16.5 inches, and cellos in 3/4 and 4/4.
Yes. The workshop offers historical-pattern commissions, client-supplied tonewood, left-handed instruments, and special lady's violin sizes. Master-grade commissions take about six months.
The workshop is led by Wei-Xian Zhu, with senior luthier Shu-Wei Xiao.
No.1 Changdun Industrial Park, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China.
By email at [email protected], or by phone at +86 13560414089.
Ming-Jiang Zhu instruments are available through dealers worldwide; inquiries are also welcome by email.
Workshop Address:
No.1 Changdun Industrial Park, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +86 13560414089
See also our About the Workshop page, or browse the Violins, Violas, and Cellos listings.