Ladislav Prokop - violinmaker

The bow is transformed! I had been struggling with it for sometime but I had not realised quite how much. It feels very different and the wobble 2/3 up has almost gone. I can now play with a flat hair in that place the stick does not fall to the side. I'm very pleased! Best, Juliet

I have spent many years searching out the best modern instrument makers, and I am extremely pleased to have found Ladislav Prokop, who has brought something very special to the art of instrument making. His passion, years of dedication and deep research into the old methods of making have paid off, and he is now producing the finest results. His latest viola feels and plays like an old instrument, where you draw a big sound out and the instrument sings, rather than having to use a lot of bow pressure, as with most modern instruments. It has a wonderful tone and is even across all strings, yet plenty of character and carries well in a large hall. Tone and pitch stability are excellent throughout, so I don't need to take care of particular notes or registers. That leaves me free to play as I would like, and to explore the colours in the sound, which is why I use it for all my recording work. This viola is by far the best modern instrument I have ever played.

When I tried Ladislav Prokops violins I wasn't looking for a new instrument. After 20 minutes of playing the instrument I knew I had to buy it and this was when the instrument was just a few weeks old.It is continuing to go from strength to strength and I have been delighted with my very decision. The sound, resonance and responsiveness of the instrument in my opinion is down to his expert craftsmanship and expertise in violin making.

Absolutely great service. Ladislav Prokop provides the best re-hair and he is always very kind and friendly. It is pleasure to come to his workshop. Thank you

My congratulations to Prokop for his latest viola. I think it's a real 'cracker'. It has a complexity of sound rarely found in an instrument that is only a few weeks old. It is open, yet there is a resistance which shows to me that it has a future development which will be very exciting. Right from the start it had a sound that carries, and yet depth and presence which inspires a player! A great instrument !!!!!

When I first tried my own Prokop, I thought, 'This is the violin for me!' After a lifetime of playing indifferent instruments, Ladislav Prokop's violin came as a revelation, so responsive was it, so powerful and full the tone, so sweet and brilliant in the upper registers. These qualities in a new instrument were remarkable enough [it was then only two months old], but now, after several years of playing, I continue to discover new depths to the sound, and further nuances possible between string and bow. Anyone who has heard me play on this instrument has commented on its remarkable sound, and I have no doubt that I shall be playing on it for many years to come.

Thanks so much for the work you did on the viola. It's sounding really good, and is much easier to play (and looks a lot better)!