Kievman Da Salo Copy by Zhen Xi Zhao, 2023.

Zhen Jie Zhao is the master craftsman presiding over the fifteen luthiers of Cedar Violins in Beijing, China. The workshop produces instruments ranging from just under $1,000 to Zhao’s personal works, which command prices in the $7,000-$10,000 range.

This vIola was made in the Cedar Violins workshop by Zhen Jie Zhao’s older brother, Zhen Xi Zhao in 2023 and is patterned after the Kievman Gaspar Da Salo. A single maker instrument of refined quality that stands apart from typical workshop production and features a beautifully flamed materials and masterfully executed double purfling with the innermost setting terminating in fleurs in homage to the original instrument. The 394mm length of back is about a 1/4” smaller than the Kievman and translates to 15 7/16,” or just a shade under 15.5.” The wider bouts create more reverberating space than many other models this size and translate into a depth and character of sound one would expect from a single-maker instrument at an altogether modest price.