Paul Becker
violins, violas, and cellos
Musicians need instruments that capture, move & resonate with their audience.
Paul Becker violins, violas, and cellos are designed with the concert player in mind.
If you’re interested in seeing a Paul Becker instrument, you can send us an email using the form above. Or, email us directly at t.hager@carlbeckerandson.com (or call us at 312-220-9700)
Paul Becker instruments are made using the same traditions that have been passed from down from generation to generation.
Instruments are all designed by Paul Becker, and are based on the same molds, patterns, and varnish taught to him by his father (Carl F. Becker) and grandfather (Carl G. Becker). Paul also works with luthiers to complete “workshop” instruments.
Paul Becker Handcrafted violins, violas, and cellos
From start to varnish, every part of the crafting process is completed by only Paul Becker.
Paul Becker Workshop violins, violas, and cellos
Paul, along with trusted luthiers such as Tom Moyer, work together to complete the instrument.
Models & Price list
No violin, viola, or cello player is the same and musicians deserve options that fit their unique playing style and goals .
When making Paul Becker Workshop instruments, we create a variety of models and set ups to provide a variety of options for players. All Paul Becker Shop Instruments are powerful instruments that respond well. Plus, all instruments get the highest quality pernambuco trimmings (e.g., tailpiece, pegs, chinrest). Beyond that, Paul Becker Shop Instruments are made with a variety of setups that create a variety of sounds.
Models
Guarneri (resonate with your audience's diaphragm)
Stradivarius (sing a song)
Pieces
One-piece
Two-piece
Sound set-ups
Round
Sharp edged
Warm
Varnish
Various options available
We can also make a custom violin, viola, or cello for you. It will include a custom label placed inside the instrument.
Interested? Email Tim Hager at t.hager@carlbeckerandson.com to set up an appointment, or call us at 312-220-9700
Price List
Thomas Cecola instrument: Starting price is $8,500.00 USD
Paul Becker Workshop Instrument, Traditional Becker varnish: Starting price is $20,000.00 USD
Paul Becker Handcrafted Instrument, Paul Becker varnish: Starting price is $37,000.00 USD
The first step of making a violin might just be the most important one:
Choosing the finest wood
Paul Becker takes a tremendous amount of care and consideration when choosing the wood that will be used to make Paul Becker violins, violas, and cellos.
That’s because the quality and age of the wood used for an instrument will have a significant impact on its sound immediately and in the long term, for centuries to come.
Our maple and spruce doesn’t come from Home Depot, and all of it is fully dried.
Most of our wood was grown in 3 places around the world.
Our highest quality wood was maple grown in Bosnia. This maple "moon wood" is grown at 1200 meters on the north face of the mountain.
Our best curly maple also comes from Bosnia. This wood is extremely rare (and beautiful) because it is formed only when trees endure earthquakes.
Our spruce comes from a variety of locations, including the Cremona mountains in Italy, Black Forest in Germany, Switzerland, and even some American wood.
Some instruments are even made using wood obtained in the 1940s and has been finely aged and dried since then!
We craft instruments using the wood grades 1, 1A, 2, and 3. We carefully select our pieces so each instrument is made from very similar materials, if not wood cut from the same tree.
What that means is your Paul Becker handcrafted or workshop instrument will have strong and even grain, and will already have been aged properly.
And what all of this means is your violin, viola, and cello will not just be beautiful…it will have a lovely sound that resonates with your audience.
Fun Fact
It is a long-held belief among luthiers that "moon wood"--wood cut on the first full moon in January--is the ideal time to cut down wood. Although that sounds like superstition, the science might just back it up. January also happens to be when sap is at its lowest point in the year.
Fun Fact
The best wood we have has 1 mm wide grain with very clean hard grain and it has a nice sound when you tap it.
I want to make the best instruments in the world: it's my lifelong pursuit.
Since I began making instruments with my father and grandfather as a child, I've been passionate about ensuring that concert players from a variety of backgrounds can feel the joy of playing high quality instruments.
With Paul Becker Instruments, I am making instruments with our best wood and varnishing techniques. I use the same traditions taught to me by my father and grandfather to bring handmade quality, care, and passion to my instruments.
I can’t wait to see you play one, so you can see for yourself just how much your playing voice can sing.
-Paul