In the midst of the old town center of the violin-making metropolis Bubenreuth, nestled between Franconian pointed gables and sandstone houses, a violin maker of the young generation has established himself. On his mother's side, the native Franconian was born into the tradition of stringed instrument craftsmanship. His great-grandfather already worked in the guild of violin makers.
Walter Mahr passed his journeyman examination as the top chamber winner of the 1983 class. Following several years as a journeyman, he worked in renowned master workshops throughout Germany and founded his own workshop in his hometown of Bubenreuth after passing his master examination in 1990. Walter Mahr crafts, evaluates, restores, and rents violins, violas, cellos, and baroque instruments of all sizes. From high-quality student instruments to master instruments entirely crafted by hand and made to order, using particularly beautifully flamed maple, selected spruce, or soundboard wood that may need up to 100 years or longer to be ready for processing.
Since January 2000, Walter Mahr has been a publicly appointed and sworn expert in violin making by the Chamber of Commerce for Middle Franconia. Courts and insurance companies value his impartial expertise. The instruments are finished with varnishes made in-house using spirit or oil, equipped with the finest accessories, and meticulously made ready for play. He carries out repairs on string instruments with the utmost precision and skill. Numerous "old Italians" have already found their way to him. A special area of expertise in his workshop is sound improvement. Mahr maintains a very close collaboration with musicians from all areas in this regard.
Walter Mahr is a member of the Association of German Violin Makers and Bow Makers (VDG e.V.) as well as "THE VIOLIN SOCIETY OF AMERICA" (V.S.A.). Music stores around the world rely on the well-known quality of Walter Mahr's string instruments. In recent years, Walter Mahr has regularly exhibited at the Frankfurt Music Fair. For those who don't have the opportunity to pick up a brochure and price list there, they can request them from their music store or directly from Walter Mahr.
