JAVS Spring 2006

MODERN MAKERS THE PROLIFIC AND IMAGINATIVE MAKER, GREGG ALF

the mo ld by pa rting with these t raditions and many others, and has thus suc ceeded in catalyzi ng cre ativity in makers every whe re. Born in Los Angeles in 1957, Alf's family then headed cast, eventually set ding in rhe Washington, D.C. area. His goal as a young man was to become a concert violinist, and to this end he packed his bags and left Wash ington for England. He spent a year groom ing his violinistic technique. Visions of a conce rt career

Alf found a summer job in Des Moines, lowa, setting up rental instruments and gai ning experi - ence working with too ls. After fini shing his flrsr violin using pri marily gouges and fi nger planes, his bigger and better career pl ans took shape. Alf made an appointment with Helmuth Keller, a wel l-known maker in Philadelphia, to show his violin and discuss the possibil ity of attend ing the violin making school in Mittenwald, Germany.

eventually fell o ut of fitvor however; but as this dream lost its luste r, he began to explore new options

By Eric Chapman Photos by Gregg Alf

in the violin world.

While on a break from vio lin training, Alf returned home to Washington and found his way to the violin shop of Willis Gault. In addition his regular bus i ness, Gault also worked with a number of amateur makers each Saturday. Alf "joined the club." W ith some knowledge acquired,

Throughout history, luthiers have rradirionally received training from their fathers or oth er close relatives. Occasionall y, they were apprenticed to established makers in their local town, keeping trade secrets well-guarded and within the confines of the family shop. American luthi er and violinmak ing pioneer Gregg Alf has broken

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