We currently have a fine violin (358 mm.) made in 2000 by Mr. Marinov and Petr Racz. This violin was a first-prize winner in a competition for tone. It has a two-piece back with medium flaming, a wide-grained top, and a reddish-orange varnish. Its price is $5,800/E4,300.

Mr. Marinov also makes instruments to order. Please allow 4-6 months. Please inquire about price.

Stanislav Marinov carefully evaluates and selects the best red spruce from northerneastern Italy (the Dolomites), and the best maple from Bosnia and Slovakia before carving and fashioning his top and back plates, bass bars and soundposts with amazing results.

Mr. Marinov is somewhat unique in the world of violin makers in that he has a doctorate in Dynamics and Acoustics and was an assistant professor for 13 years. In 1978 he began to modify violins (he began with student-level instruments) with research regarding the resonant properties of maple and spruce, verifying his results with his own study of violin and bow making in Bohemia beginning in 1981.

All Marinov instruments are put through two competitions for tone -- the first in Bohemia; the second at the Slovak National Opera House, where the concertmaster and several assistant concertmasters play many violins from the pit while a team of judges listen, evaluate and rank them. Blue Danube violins acquires and only the winning instruments for our customers. That is why we call these our CONCERTMASTER SERIES.

Mr. Marinov's instruments are currently played by five members of the Slovak Philharmonic; members of the Slovak National Opera (including the concertmaster and assistant concertmaster); string players in the Essener Philharmoniker and Dortmund Oper (Germany); the Marsaille Opera Orchestra (France), and many top conservatory students throughout Europe and Asia.