THE OFF BEAT VIOLINS
A Loan Collection
In partnership with the Metzler Violin Shop, Los Angeles
About the Off Beats
The Off Beats are a collection of eight violins, a viola, and a cello. While their appearance is unusual, they are high performing classical instruments
The stories of the individual Offbeats and the ideas behind them can be found by following the links in instrument gallery.
A Loan Collection
In association with the Metzler Violin Shop, who holds a quartet of Off Beats, we are looking musicians who find these instruments inspiring, and would like to perform or record with them. The instruments are available individually for as an ensemble, for a period of up to one year.
The loan is free, in return we ask that this project be mentioned in performances, posts, and published recordings
The Goal
The hope is using the Off Beats will both stimulate and help promote creative music and performance.
The instruments are extremely visually and conceptually engaging and have stimulated a lot of interest wherever they go. Posts including the Off Beats have gone viral on social media. They have proved to be a great asset to musicians who have become identified with them.
If you would like to participate in this project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or the Metzler Violin Shop, and let us know about your work and your aspirations.
While the instruments in the loan collection are not for sale, I do take orders for similar instruments. I can make variations of the instruments already in the collection, I also particularly enjoy working closely with musicians interested in designing an instrument based on themes that they find particularly interesting.
Members of the all black, female octet with Coco Jones at the 2026 Superbowl.
UBG Strings, "One book ,one coast". Sacramento Public library
Delivering the quartet to the Metzler Violin Shop, Los Angeles.
Performance of original works by Lewis Patzner and Mia Pixley. Sonoma County Museum.
Crossing into other artistic genres, media and means of expression has always been fertile creative ground. Creativity breeds creativity!