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John Sipe

Testimonials

 

 

    “I’d been looking for a violin for years.  I wasn’t completely satisfied with the newer instruments, and in most cases, could not afford the old ones.  After 5 minutes on John Sipe’s violin I knew I had to buy it.  This instrument is a dream come true.  All the sound and looks of a fine, old Italian instrument, at a price one can afford.  It projects beautifully in theaters and in concert halls. This violin also records like a dream…so even and rich, and so easy to play.  Many of my colleagues have asked about the instrument, based on the sound or the beautiful finish.  When I tell them it was completed in 2002 they are very surprised.  When I tell them the price…well, I can see the jealousy. I realize that looking for a new violin is extremely personal; tastes vary greatly.  However, John Sipe’s instruments are worth trying for anyone looking for something great.  I’ll have this violin forever--even when I can afford the Strad…”

                                                                       

                                                                       Jonathan Dinklage

Professional Violinist, New York, 2004

 

 

 

“I like to play a lot of bravura pieces of the violin literature.  So, I spend a lot of the time playing pieces of composers like Paganini, Wienaski, and Sarasate just to name a few.  When I play, I play hard.  Also, I noticed that when I play these composers’ pieces on inferior instruments, they just couldn’t handle the pressure.  Or if they could, there was always a problem… poor tone quality, no projection, unevenness when crossing strings, higher position break downs (usually happens around the 4th position), etc.  But once I got a Sipe violin in my hands, all that changed.

 

I find his instruments to be of the highest order.  The tone of his violins is of a solo quality, which is dark, rich, and deep on the lower strings while the E string rings with sparkling brilliance.

 

His instruments are made strong.  You can play them on any string in any position and as hard as you want.  They will not break down!!!  Now, I really enjoy playing those virtuoso pieces because I have an instrument that will stay with me.  It’s very exciting!  Also, John Sipe’s instruments have great sound projection or carrying power.  I have taken my instrument and other violins of his to high churches to test their sound projection, and I am always amazed at how an instrument so small can fill such facilities.  And if you are an artist with the bow, John’s violins possess a wonderful tonal palette of colors that will help you create incredible musical masterpieces that will leave tears in your eyes.  You will not want to put it down!!!  I know, I’ve been there.”

 

Jonathan Sullivan

Teacher and Performer, Charlotte NC, 2005

 

 

“I have had the privilege to play on a John Sipe violin since 1986.  The violin has a wonderfully deep, warm sound on all four strings, although with very individual timbre and blend perfectly well together.  The violin has a beautiful red color, like a burgundy wine, and the flaming of the wood is very pleasing to the eye.  It is one of John’s earlier violins before he started making violins that have a more antique appearance.  It is the John Adams of the Presidential Series.  (John Sipe made a series of violins named after each of the presidents, starting with George Washington and stopping with George Bush, senior.)  Through an inheritance, I became the owner of a Nicolas Amati from 1650, which I donated to the Smithsonian Institute in 1998.  I had the opportunity to play both violins, the Nicolas Amati and the John Sipe for several years; I preferred the John Sipe because of the bigger sound.  John and I are good friends, and currently I am playing on some of his newer violins, and also on a very gorgeous sounding viola.  John has made a few cellos (I don’t have one).  He also studied bow making in England from Malcolm Taylor, formally of W.E. Hill & Sons.  John made 45 bows before he became allergic to the pernambuco wood and had to stop.”

 

 Menno Pennink

 Retired Neurosurgeon and Violin Player, Fayetteville, NC, 2005

 

 

 

    “Recently I witnessed a member of the famed Philadelphia Orchestra audition a Sipe violin by audaciously digging in with unforgiving pressure all over the fingerboard, purposely trying to make it break down, while secretly comparing it to a friend’s Strad.  He later confessed that the Strad did not break down or choke and neither would the Sipe…a concert violin in every respect.”

Leroy T. Sellers

Professional Violinist and Teacher, NC, 2004

 

 

 

    I am a professional violinist in NYC where I perform regularly at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall with groups such as American Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s and EOS Orchestra.  In addition, I perform on Broadway for "The Producer’s” and "Beauty and the Beast" and have recorded with several pop stars in the studios of NYC and as well for television. I am a graduate of Eastman, Royal College of Music and SUNY Stony Brook.  It has been my pleasure to be one of Mr. Sipe’s representative here in NYC. I have shown and sold his violins to my colleagues for the last 6 years.  His violins always impress them and have been played in the NYC studios as well as in the concert halls.  These violins are consistently even and have a depth of tone quality, which carries well in a big hall.”

 Patricia Davis

Professional Violinist, NYC, 2004

 

 

 

    Back in 1999, at my request, John Sipe sent me a Guarneri model violin for my consideration.  Although the instrument was relatively new, the beauty, the power and clear projection of the sound through the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga simply amazed me, so I bought it immediately.  I never imagined that a modern violin would be so incredibly good.  Within a year, I fell in love with another Guarneri model – a beautiful copy of the famous “Plowden”, that John had made in 1997.  I took immediate possession of that instrument as well as for the same reason: the great quality of its sound.  Since then, I virtually stopped playing my Italian instrument.  These two wonderful violins are my constant companions in all my concerts with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Orchestra and recitals.”

Jack Cobos

Professional Violinist, Educator, TN, 2004

 

 

 

    “I have earned my masters degree from the Peabody conservatory and I have been playing Mr. Sipe’s violins for more than five years.  I really enjoy playing my Sipe because of the varied tone colors it can produce and the carrying power that it has in large halls.”

Joanna Mulfinger Lebo

Principal Second, Greenville Symphony, Greenville SC, 2004

 

 

 

 

    As a concert violinist, Professor of Violin and Orchestra Conductor at Columbus State University, I needed a violin as a back-up to a very fine Italian instrument that I had been playing for years during my concert tours throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America.  About seven or eight years ago, I came across a Guarneri model violin that John Sipe had made in 1999.  The instrument was brand new, but I was extremely impressed with the quality, projection and Italian characteristics of its sound.  The violin developed into a magnificent instrument and has been my favorite ever since.”

 

Pat Cobos

Professional Violinist, Professor, Columbus GA, 2004

 

 

 

    I have played a Sipe violin for fourteen years.  This wonderful instrument has been a joy to play as a solo instrument, projecting beautifully in the several halls in which I have played.  It also blends as a chamber instrument, which is my favorite genre.  The violins sound is clear and projecting, rich in the low register, with upper-registration capabilities from sweet to strong and bright.  I premiered a new violin concerto in 1998 and couldn’t have been happier with how easily the violin played and how well it projected over the orchestra.  It has served me well as a recording instrument and has received high praise from recording engineers and producers.  My Sipe violin allows me to explore the rich timbres and nuances of the music I perform, and I am still just scratching the surface of what this violin can do.”

 

Dianne Pinner

Professional Violinist, Educator, Greenville SC, 2004

 

 

 

    “For the last four years, I have had the pleasure of playing a Guaneri ‘Del Gesu’ model violin crafted by Mr. John Sipe.  It possesses a high quality and a clear beautiful tone, which is rich and full.  I am a professional concert violinist, born in Bulgaria, studied in Moscow with David Oistrach and now play almost every weekend in churches all around the world as well as many other events.  Mr. Sipe is a very skillful violin maker and all of his violins are highly recommended.”                                                                     

                                                                       Dr. Margaret Nickol

Concert Violinist, Houston TX, 2004

 

 

 

    In the last several years, I have been looking for a great contemporary violin.  I knew of a maker I was interested in and of a fine violinist who owned one.  I called her to get some information about possibly acquiring one.  Several weeks later she called and said, ‘I have some good news and some bad news…my violin has just been reappraised for$40,000.00.  The good news is I just played a violin by a North Carolina maker named John Sipe and it is every bit as good as mine-- it is absolutely beautiful, and not anywhere near the price of mine.  I couldn’t put it down.’  I wasted no time connecting with Mr. Sipe.  He brought me two violins, and after seeing and playing them, I loved them both.  I wanted to buy the two of them, but settled on one, finally.  I have been fortunate enough to play a number of Cremonese instruments--Testore, Guadagnini, a few Strads and other fine Italians.  I say, without question, my Sipe is in that class.  The label says ‘created in the manner of the Cremonese masters’…that is the truth.  It looks like that and it sounds like that.  I intend to own more of this man’s instruments.  I will also say that the violin has blossomed amazingly in the year that I have played it.  It seems to get better all the time…and I love looking at it!

     A word about the maker—he is a fine person, a real craftsman and artist.  From the business side, he is a pleasure to work with and is as good as his word—in short, what a treasure!   John and his beautiful instruments have my unreserved recommendation.”

 

Paul Statsky

Professional Violinist, Educator, Asheville NC, 2004

 

 

 

     “All my life has been involved with violins, violin makers, violinists and violin students.  When serious students or colleagues desire a fine violin, it is my pleasure to direct them to John Sipe.  Every violin he makes is with a special purpose and that is, ‘What must be done to this wood to make this a great instrument’.  He does not waste his time repeating over and over copies of a past instrument.  Each instrument has its own inimitable personality that he carefully searches for as he eagerly carves its form and shape.  John has his own ability to perform and can tell immediately how to gage his work and what is needed to bring out the quality of tone he is looking for and the ideal sound for each particular instrument.  When I pick up his instruments, I know before I hear its tone that it is a great instrument of genuine worth.  The workmanship is so healthy and beautiful.  You can see the hand of an experienced master workman.  I love the rich clear sound on the ‘G’ string and its continuation and evenness as all the strings are related and send the same character of resonance.  John Sipe is obsessed with creating the best possible violin from his collection of old and seasoned woods.  He prays that our Lord will show him what to do to make each instrument the best he can possibly produce.”

Joan Mulfinger

Professional Violinist, Teacher and Christian Education, Greenville SC, 2004

 

 

 

     “My name is Rong-Yan Tang. I am in the first violin section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  After playing on many loaned old instruments, I decided to own a violin myself.  I was fortunate to have the violin made by Mr. Sipe.  It had a very clean and refined tone at first.  I felt that I had to play lightly to find the best quality from the instrument, because it was easier to play a singing voice than a powerful sound.  It is rare to find a modern instrument that has this quality of softness.  Most of the new ones I tried were good with bright and loud sound, but were not sensitive to subtleties.  I am naturally good with projective sound, but I was hoping to find more variety and depth with color at the same time. After I played on Mr. Sipe's violin for a half year, to my surprise, the violin had not only the color but also the power I needed.  I think that it is a flexible instrument that will fit into different personalities.

 

I also liked how the violin looks.  Many of my colleagues in CSO asked if it was an old instrument, because it looked like one.  Mr. Sipe did a great job copying it from a Guarneri.  It has the detail of an old instrument, such as the antique color, the elegant shape, and even the cracks and dents look almost real.  It is beautiful to look at.

 

I have enjoyed playing on this instrument for more than 2 years now and I believe that it will continue to improve.  Like all the great instruments, not only do they come from wonderful makers, they are also played by many dedicated musicians year after year and become priceless works of art.”

Rong-Yan Tang

Professional Violinist, Chicago Symphony, Chicago IL, 2004