Hiroshi Kono Violin – Tokyo 2026 -CURRENTLY OUT ON TRIAL-

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Handmade violin from Tokyo, Japan. This violin is made very well and light in weight. The gentle arching on the top plate allows for this violin to project and have power. The violin has choice tonewoods, and the spruce top has an even grain. The flame (tiger curl) on the one-piece back is stunning. The varnish is tastefully antiqued with a distressed pattern on the top and back. Here in our workshop, we have done all the setup of the instrument. The body is made for us and then we cut and custom fit all the parts. The violin received a set of pegs, chin rest, rework of the ebony nut, new soundpost, and a handmade B grade Despiau bridge which is a 200-year-old plus piece of French maple. Violinist Joshua Bell has many of his students purchase this violin to grow with. It has the sound I’m sure he is looking for that a serious musician with an unexpected price. The custom set up is what makes these violins jump.

Corpus 356.0 mm., Major Width 199.0 mm., Minor Width 162.0 mm., Rib Height 30.0 mm.

The sound on the Kono is fantastic in my book. It is lush, rich, and powerful. It is outstanding on the lower strings. Occasionally, I come across a new gem that has a sound that is so nice that I want to keep it few months. This violin sounds great, maybe it will be here for a few weeks. This violin stands out in sound and would also fit well for a player who is a serious fiddler. The A and E are just as nice as the bottom, or possibly even better. The top is sweet with strength. The power and life in the top strings help unleash all the overtones. The violin also speaks very well at the ppp dynamic level. The instrument is so easy to play, and the response again is instant. The Kono always is very responsive. This violin checks all the boxes for the intermediate, more serious player looking for a great sound, tastefully antiqued varnish, and performance above its pay grade.