Instrument Type: Violin
Circa: 2018
Asking Price: SOLD
Maker: Eric Benning
The Violin
Eric Benning made this Eric Benning Guarneri violin in Los Angeles in 2018, based on the 1741 Guarneri del Gesu Vieuxtemps. The top is two-piece Northern Italian spruce of exceptional quality from the 1920s, and the back and ribs are matching Bosnian maple from the 1930s.
He antiqued the varnish to resemble the original violin, and he fitted it with Harmonie boxwood carved with fleur-de-lys. The tone is powerful and clear, rich and penetrating. The back measures 35.4 cm.
Those carved fittings are a distinctive detail, and they set this Eric Benning Guarneri violin apart visually. Meanwhile the aged wood and careful antiquing give it the presence of a much older instrument.
So this Eric Benning Guarneri violin suits a player who wants del Gesu power with modern reliability. Its exceptional wood, its antiquing and its handsome fittings together make it a standout example of the workshop’s work. In short, it is a fine piece of modern del Gesu making.
The Maker
Eric Benning is the master luthier behind Benning Violins in Los Angeles. He builds instruments modeled on the great Cremonese and Italian masters, from carefully selected and aged tonewoods.
Guarneri del Gesu’s violins are among the most powerful ever made. Each Eric Benning Guarneri violin reflects his close study of those instruments, and his focus stays on a strong, player-ready sound.
The Vieuxtemps has been a recurring subject in his work, and he has returned to it across two decades. Every version refines his understanding of what makes the original so remarkable, from its arching to its dark, commanding voice.
Terms of Sale
This violin has sold, so it is no longer available for purchase. Benning Violins invites you to browse our current catalog of fine instruments. You can also contact us directly to ask about similar pieces.