Ben Conover - violins and bows
Initially trained as a musician, Ben started with piano then moved to violin and viola. His mum was an excellent pianist and father a violin maker in America. After Purcell School he studied violin and viola at GSMD, his teachers included Emanuel Hurwitz, John White, and Detlef Hahn. After working as a violist Ben decided to move away from London and retrain as a violin maker. In 1994 he apprenticed to Nigel Harris for two years working 9-5 making new instruments. Then followed three busy years of intense study at Newark for violin making and restoration. This thorough training as a player and maker has given Ben a love and insight with practical understanding of the instruments he makes today. Since moving to rural Ireland in 1998 he has devoted himself to producing top quality violins, violas and 'cellos. In 2015 he took up bow making, and remains fascinated by the process.
Ben works to a number of patterns designs and templates, new ideas are welcome. The wood and all materials are top quality, he makes his own varnish.
