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My background

Violin maker with 24 years of experience

Being one of Norway’s most prominent and acknowledged violinmakers, Jacob von der Lippe has been making instruments for musicians at home and abroad since 1998. Jacob’s instruments are coming out of the tradition of the Italian masters. He trained at the “Istituto Professionale Internazionale per l’Artigianato Liutario e del Legno ‘A. Stradivari’ “ in Cremona, Italy. Jacob von der Lippe’s instruments have a sound focusing upon warmth, projection and richness in overtones.

As the first and only Norwegian, he is a member of the worldwide organization Entente Internationale des Luthiers et Archetiers. In recent years, Jacob has extracted the essence of all his experience and developed his own personal model for violin, viola and cello.

Jacob offer instrument cases from BAM France in the Nordic countries, and carries a large stock in the workshop in Oslo. Feel free to stop by to see the different models. The cases can also be purchased directly from his online store bamnorden.no

Why choose a von der Lippe instrument?

warm and projecting sound  • personal follow-up

I took a big step forward ten years ago when I stopped making copies, and designed my own personal model. I took out the essence of all the instruments I had built, and kept the best qualities. This I merged into my own model. Musicians tell me that my instruments have a special sound and that each instrument has its own personality. It is always exciting to present the instrument to the musician for the first time, and hear them play it! I really hope that the instruments I make will stay good over time, and that musicians in 200 years’ time will say:

“Wow, this is really good, I want to play this instrument!”

That’s the best thing that can happen.

Cello, Jacob von der Lippe – Oslo 2022
Photo: Marius Viken

Sculpted Sound

NEW RELEASE • VINYL • CD • DIGITAL

Sound is the true reason for making instruments. In this recording the focus is on sound itself. Can a characteristic of sound be heard among instruments created by the same log of spruce and the hands of one specific violin maker, even if played by different instrumentalists? How do vastly different venues highlight various aspects of the same instruments? And how about the development of one violin maker through a span of twenty years?

Sculpted Sound

Listen on Spotify and all digital platforms

Insight into the workshop

violin • viola • cello

PREFERRED BY LEADING MUSICIANS

I can highly recommend Jacob von der Lippe’s instruments! I bought my violin in 2002, immediately falling in love with its sweetness and warmth.

Astrid Kirschner, group leader 2nd violin, Opera Orchestra at the Norwegian Opera & Ballet

On later occasions I have compared the violin with the older Italian, where von der Lippe’s instrument carries better and stronger than the Italian, -in a blind test with several musicians present. I appreciate the bright shiny sound, at the same time as the instrument has impressive resistance, so it takes a lot before the sound cracks, which gives the strong sound.

Nils Thore Røsth, The Opera Orchestra at the Norwegian Opera & Ballet

The violin projects sound in a way that fills the room without being perceived as strenuous. It has a rich and warm sound in all registers, while being easy to play and articulate. It blends well both in chamber music and orchestra playing. The process to have build my own violin is in itself very exciting, and felt entirely positive, thanks to Jacobs reliability and friendly service minded attitude.

Maren Elle, The Broadcasting Orchestra

Your violin has a glow and shine in the tone that I really appreciate, and the tone is round and full at the same time.

Arve Tellefsen, Soloist

I simply love this violin and would not exchange it for anything. It has a very appealing sound: light, singing, lots of overtones, modular – it has both warmth and edge, and is even over the whole register. In addition, it’s incredibly easy to play, always in a good mood, and is not changing with the weather.

Mari Lerseth, Freelance violinist

The violin is incredibly rich in overtones and I remember that I only rehearsed Bach’s solo sonatas and scores the first time because I was so inspired by the open sound.

Hilde Kolstad Huse, Freelance violinist

Over the course of 20 years, my instrument has evolved a lot. The sound has become both bigger and warmer, my violin allows for a wide range of tonal shades, and it is very easy to play.

Lina Marie Årnes, Freelance violinist and educator

My “Jacob von der Lippe” instrument has shaped itself well to my personality, with a round pleasant tone. It easily fills various concert halls, be it the large ones (eg Oslo Concert Hall) or the small ones.

Cecilie Husevåg, Educator

Instruments and bows for sale

carefully selected for you

Strad is Dead – Consider a Modern Classic

COTTON SWEATER IN STYLISH GREEN COLOR • MADE IN OSLO • Limited Edition

We live in the new golden age of violin making. I have so many incredibly talented violin maker colleagues around the globe. And I’m dying to see what their personal model would sound and look like! Strad is of course a great maker to learn from, but why are so many devoting the entire career to making copies? We’ve lost the diversity of violin making that was alive in Italy around 16-1700. Every maker and city had it’s own style. I’m hoping to see that again. More style, more personality and more focus on what really matters. The Sound.

Strad is Dead

TOTE BAGE FOR YOUR SHEET MUSIC • MADE IN OSLO • Limited Edition

What kind of sound are you looking for?

Tell me more

I have extensive experience with musicians at all levels. Whether you are a music student, freelancer, orchestra musician or soloist, I understand and listen to your wishes. You can always borrow with instruments and bows on home loans up to two weeks, insurance is taken care of.