Congratulations on yet another fantastic cello!

Truls Mørk, soloist
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Thank you for the copy you have made of my Guiseppe Guarneri "del Gesú" 1741 (ex Lord Emhurst of Hackney). Your copy is really a fabulous piece of work! Your violin has a tone with an ember glow and brilliance to it, as well as being round and rich. A combination, which I would think, is difficult to obtain. The instrument releases the tone very easily. But wishing to do so, one can dig much deeper, being greatly rewarded all along. Its appearance is pure delight. The varnish is beautiful, corresponding to the original in minutest detail. Heartfelt thanks for your excellent work, and all the best for your future instruments!

Arve Tellefsen, soloist, Oslo, Norway
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Over the last few years I have had the pleasure of getting to know Jacob von der Lippe. As well as being an exceptionally nice person, he is also a most competent professional, whose opinions I fully trust. Being the owner of a D. Montagnana violin built in Cremona in 1725, one carries the responsibility for a small part of European cultural inheritance. Taking care of such instruments is important, and I have completely trusted his judgements throughout. Jacob considers himself to be part of a larger team working with keeping this inheritance safe and alive. One of Jacob's best characteristics in this respect is that he shall not hesitate to consult other professionals if need be, also world leading experts. In addition to being outstanding when it comes to looking after, setting up and adjusting instruments, he is a first rate instrument builder as well. When I felt the need of getting an extra instrument some time ago, it was a matter of course asking Jacob to build it. The violin is most beautiful, as well as already being a very good instrument to play. The violin is an excellent supplement to my "old Italian lady" and I frequently use it at concerts.

Jan Bjøranger,
Professor, Stavanger Music Academy, Norway
Plays on a violin built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2005, G. Guarneri “del Gesú”-model
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I can warmly recommend Jacob von der Lippe's instruments! I bought my violin in 2002, immediately falling in love with its sweetness and warmth. I was especially intrigued by how easily played it was " in the middle register", it responds immediately and clearly, and it is very easy to articulate distinctly. I have used the violin in orchestras, in chamber musical contexts and as a soloist; in the orchestra the sound of the violin blends with the whole without any difficulty, and being used in a solo context, it easily fills a greater hall. The violin has proved to be very uncomplicated in daily use, it has been a truthful friend in extreme heat and cold, in humid and dry surroundings, after flights... no matter what conditions, the violin has "been there" equally strong. The only initial difficulty worth while mentioning was that I had to experiment a little to find the right A-string for my violin, luckily today there is quite a variety to choose from. Also my first impression of the violin corresponds very well with what I think of it now after three years.

Astrid Kirschner,
principal 2 nd violin, The Norwegian National Opera, Oslo, 2005
Plays on a violin built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2002, A. Guarneri-model
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I have changed from an old and capricious instrument to a new and fresh one, not having regretted it even for a day this past year! From day to day, from week to week, Jacob's cello has got new nuances in addition to those that were there from the very beginning; a clear, warm tone, strength in the whole register and the ability to function well in orchestral and chamber music. I am looking forward to many good years with my instrument!

Kjersti Rydsaa,
freelancer, Oslo
Playing on a cello built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2005, F. Ruggeri-model
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I am incredibly proud of my cello, and of owning it. I think the bass register is the best thing about the cello - such a wonderful sound and such a lot of it - super!! Yes, that I really like! In general it also has a warm, pleasant and personal sound. I am incredibly happy to have it. With chamber music it also works very well, because of the sound being grand and having volume, easily carrying through.

Live Johansson,
student at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Playing on a cello built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2003, Montagnana-model
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In the course of 5 years my instrument has developed greatly. The sound has become greater as well as warmer, my violin gives me the possibility of a wide range of nuances in sound, and it is very easily played. Ever so often professors and students alike will ask me what instrument I am playing upon, as they like it so! Day by day I am steadily growing fonder of my instrument.

Lina Årnes,
freelancer, Oslo, Norway
Playing on a violin built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2000, Stradivari- model
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I hereby confirm that I own and play a viola by Jacob von der Lippe. I bought it in January 2005, when it was brand new. The reason I chose to buy it was primarily that it stood out when four optional violas were being played upon in the great hall of Oslo Konserthus, the criteria being tone quality and the carrying capability of the sound. After that I had the viola for a few days to try it out, and I found it very agreeable to play. Now I have had the viola for a year, and some of its outstanding qualities are:
It carries well.
It has a pleasant and inspiring sound.
It is comfortable to handle in a physical sense (fairly light-weight in comparison to size, neck thickness and fingerboard width of appropriate proportions).
It is nice to look at.

Jacob von der Lippe has followed up the instrument in an excellent way, and the personal service and friendliness he has met me with whenever I called for whatever reason, has made this viola deal a totally positive and rewarding experience.

Regards from
Einy Langmoen,
freelancer, Oslo, Norway
Playing a viola built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2005, A. Guarneri-model
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My "Jacob von der Lippe" instrument has adjusted itself according to my personality, having a round pleasant sound. It easily fills any hall, great (e.g. Oslo Konserthus) or small. In orchestral and chambermusic contexts it blends well with the other instruments. I am very happy with my instrument.

Cecilie Husevåg,
student at Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, Norway
Playing a violin built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2004, A. Guarneri-model
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My Jacob von der Lippe- violin is an exquisite piece of craftsmanship where the details have been taken well care of. The instrument is very beautiful, easily played, and the sound is clear and warm. While still a brand new instrument the sound already was exceptionally even within the whole register. To play on this instrument is inspiring, also forwarding my development as a musician. Even if the instrument does not belong to those with the strongest and most penetrating sound, it holds out well as an instrument for chamber music as well as for soloistic performances. Other von der Lippe-violins that I have tried shares the same signs of quality, and the violinmaker's characteristics and image of sound are easily detectable.

Bjørn Erik Neerland,
Bergen, Norway
Playing a violin built by Jacob von der Lippe in 2003, A. Guarneri-model