Mensur Avdić

Luthier

©AVDICVIOLINS

Long live the queen of instruments

Mensur discovered his creativity at school
He learned lutherie from his father
It takes up to three months to make a violin

Mensur Avdić developed an early interest in musical instruments. Under his father's guidance, Mensur learned the methods of violin making, from selecting the finest wood to the delicate art of shaping the body of the instrument. His fascination with the 'queen of instruments' – as the violin is often called – led him further, and he learned about the intricacies of violin construction and the techniques used by master luthiers over the centuries. As his skills developed, so did Mensur's passion for this craft which is why he opened the luthier workshop in his hometown. With his skilled hands and unwavering dedication, Mensur wants to ensure that his father's legacy lives on, enriching the lives of musicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad.

Interview

©AVDICVIOLINS

©AVDICVIOLINS

How did you discover your talent?: At school, I drew and was very creative and innovative. After that, I could not afford to go to art school, so I continued to express my creativity by making objects from wood because I had various pieces of wood in my father's workshop.
What attracted you to violins in particular?: At first, I made miniature violins, basses, and cellos that I gave away. The violin caught my attention, with its divine body shape, and therefore inspired me so much that I took on the challenge of trying to make it without any literature or information about measurements.
When did you make your first violin?: I made my first violin in 2008, which took about a month. That violin is very valuable to me, and I keep it in my studio. Later, from reading, researching on the internet, and collaborating with Italian luthiers, I felt the desire to make another one and that is how the hobby turned into a professional career.
What is your violin making process now?: I am a perfectionist by nature, I like precision and refinement, so I do not allow mistakes to find a place in my production process. That is why I make each violin carefully and patiently and the process can take two to three months.

Mensur Avdić is a master artisan: he began his career in 2008 and he started teaching in 2005