Specializing in both violins and violas, Vanna So has to date crafted over 550 instruments that feature a powerful and broad, yet sophisticated tonal quality, and are finished with a golden-amber varnish of his own making. Vanna So was born in Cambodia , and grew up in a family of wood workers. After coming to the United States, he looked for employment in woodworking, and so ended up in our workshop as an assistant to William Whedbee. Developing an increasing desire to make his own instruments, he began an apprenticeship with Tetsuo Matsuda, which culminated in the making of his first violin in 1988. In the 35+ years that have followed, Vanna has developed a world-wide reputation as one of the most outstanding luthiers of his time.

His instruments have been played in professional ensembles ever since including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, and Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago, the Florida Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, Hollywood Studio Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The Academy’s Oscars Orchestra, Bochumer Symphoniker, and Gürzenich-Orchester Köln among others.

The instrument pictured is representative of the inventory we have of his violins.