Shy Monty

Back: Baltic Maple,

Top: Italian Spruce,

Neck: Baltic Maple

Lightly antiqued oil varnish

Body length: 354

Bouts: 165, 115, 206

String length: 329

Stop: 195

I was very happy to leave this violin with the London violin dealers, My Luthier.  This  active shop specializes in contemporary violinmakers and represents many of the best in the world.

Here is their sound test and write up of my Shy Monty  model violin.

(See my notes on this model).

This beautiful violin by Andrew Carruthers was made in 2025 in California. It is the first instrument we have received from Andrew and we couldn’t be happier. Known for his innovative approach to traditional violin making, Carruthers combines classical inspiration with bold new ideas that make him a unique violin maker. The violin features a striking two-piece maple back, beautifully flamed and precisely matched, showcasing both a strong and bold visual presentation. The varnish is rich and transparent, enhancing the wood’s natural beauty and giving the violin a warm overall tone. It is powerful and brilliant, with a responsive and balanced sound across all registers. It projects effortlessly, making it ideal for solo performance, yet retains a clarity and warmth that blend beautifully in chamber settings. The instrument is also remarkably easy to play, offering the kind of quick response and comfort that elicits confidence in the player.