Ludwig Neuner

Ludwig Neuner was born in Mittenwald in 1840 and learned the art of violin making from his father, Johann. He continued his work and studies in Munich, Berlin, and Paris. He studied in Paris between 1860 and 1867 under the instruction of J. B. Vuillaume, and at the same time learned how to play the cello under Auguste Franchomme. After making instruments for some time, he soon found that he could increase his profits by dealing with the wholesale trade. He then opened a shop in Berlin in 1867 and created a firm large enough to employ 200 men who daily dealt with large orders from countries around the world.

Neuner’s firm was so successful he was able to produce instruments with a wide variety of prices. He was appointed to the Bavarian Royal Family as a violin maker and received many awards from exhibitions in many different countries. He worked to discover the secrets of the varnish used by old Cremonese masters. He replicated the models of the Messe Strad, Paganini Guarnerius, Amati, and Maggini. He used fine woods and rich varnish for his instruments and created them to produce high quality sound. Along with his violin making, Neuner also made bows for artists. After a successful life as a violin maker and businessman, Neuner passed away on June 22, 1897.