New website and online enquiry form
The workshop website has been renewed. Enquiries for new instruments, restoration and appraisals can now be sent through the online form.
Liuteria · Genova
Handmade violins, violas and cellos from Genoa
The workshop of Riccrad Socrari builds new instruments entirely by hand, restores fine strings and gives musicians honest, practical advice — in the city of Niccolò Paganini.
Commission an instrumentVisit the workshopIllustrative image
The workshop
A violin maker in the city of Paganini
Genoa has given the world one of its greatest violinists and keeps his favourite instrument, the Guarneri “del Gesù” known as “Il Cannone”. It is also home to a long line of makers, from the eighteenth-century masters to Cesare Candi and his school in the twentieth century.
Riccrad Socrari works within that tradition. Every instrument from the workshop is made by hand, one at a time, with seasoned tonewood, oil varnish and fittings shaped at the bench. The goal is simple: an instrument that responds to the player, projects in the hall and stays reliable for decades.
What we do
Services for musicians
New instruments
Violins, violas and cellos made to order, from the choice of wood to the final set-up. How we build
Restoration & repair
Cracks, seams, neck resets, bass-bar and soundpost work, retouching — carried out with respect for the original.
Appraisals & second opinions
Independent advice on Italian instruments of the 19th and 20th centuries before you buy, sell or insure.
Fine Italian instruments
A selection of modern and antique Italian violins, violas and cellos can be shown on request.
Set-up & sound adjustment
Bridges, soundposts, strings and fittings adjusted to your playing and your repertoire.
Rentals for students
Instruments for students and young players, available on request.
Commissions
How a commission works
- 1 · ConversationWe talk about your playing, your repertoire and the sound you are looking for, and choose a model together.
- 2 · WoodSpruce and maple are selected from seasoned stock for their weight, stiffness and figure.
- 3 · BuildingPlates, ribs, scroll and purfling are worked entirely by hand; arching and graduation are tuned plate by plate.
- 4 · VarnishOil varnish is applied in thin coats and left to cure slowly, giving depth of colour and a natural response.
- 5 · Set-upBridge, soundpost and strings are fitted and adjusted with you, and checked again after the instrument has been played in.
News
Latest from the workshop
Commission calendar 2027
We are now taking enquiries for violins, violas and cellos to be delivered in 2027. All news →