...Hello, my name is David Langsather and I have a passion for building fine toned violins. I am particularly interested in solving the riddles of what exactly it is that makes for a fine sounding violin, that can stir the soul of the listener and give great satisfaction for the musician who plays it.
...My very nature is wanting to understand how things work and solving problems. I studied mechanical engineering technology at Oregon State University, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in 1971.
...I have owned and operated Dale Manufacturing, a home based auto parts rebuilding business full time since 1979. Beginning about 1998, I became interested in violins, and began to study violin making from many books, several friends, and much experimentation and testing. For the past six years I have been priviledged to have Ron Kilde weekly to give me violin lessons, or more likely to provide a professional opinion testing many different violin experiments. Working together with Ron we have made steady progress refining avenues that show promise and discarding those that did not. One thing leading to another until my current violins show a definite refinement both in power and tone that comes from having the various parts of the violin working together.
. A truly wonderful violin is very rare and with my Father's help, each month I draw closer to that goal of making consistently wonderful instruments. ( A member of the Violin Society of America)
...My wife and I are just completing a major remodel of our living room area into a musical room, complete with hardwood ceiling and floors for an excellent mini-concert hall sound. ...This space is wonderful to play in and it excellent for comparison testing violins. If you would like to compare a violin you have with what I currently have available, please call for an appointment. (503) 364-8685 PST. We are located near the I-5 freeway an hour south of Portland, Oregon, USA.
Page Two: About Me
...My name is David A. Langsather.
.. On my dad's side I am descended from a long
line of Norwegian carpenters. My paternal
grandfather is pictured to the left holding my dad
Nels on his lap. He brought his family to America
through Ellis Island in 1909 and my dad, the second oldest son, was the first to be born in this country.
... I was born in Helena, Montana in 1948 and have
lived in Salem, Oregon since 1962. Both my home
and violin shop are located at 3425 Fairhaven
Avenue N.E., Salem, Oregon USA (97301) where I live with my wife of thirty two years. We have a son
and a daughter, both now adults.

. phone me at (503) 364-8685...any day (day or
early evenings please P.S.T.)
... I think of myself as a life-time learner and am
usually learning something new or an additional skill.

...In 1971 I graduated from Oregon State University with a four year degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
...This well rounded program covered both practical and technical course work, and I believe this background has allowed me to pursue continuing education in several areas throughout my life, including violin making. Other areas of interest have been sailing, photography, oil painting, Bible study, and Karate.
...After college and while working as an industrial property appraiser, I designed and built a prototype sports car which I hoped to produce on a limited basis.
...Professionally, for the last 22 years I have developed and operated Dale (my initials plus 'E' for engineering) Manufacturing, primarily remanufacturing antique automobile parts.
... I have had a lifelong interest in, and
appreciaion of, fine music; my former
personal musical involvement being in
singing (church choir and small group mostly).

... In 1998 I bought my first violin (an old German
Klotz model) with a view to increasing my music
education. It wasn't long until I realized that all
violins were not crafted equally. My general
inquisitive nature soon led me to begin studying
the violin literature about theory, construction,
and musical acoustics.

...My first two instructors (Lew Holt and Ralph Cater)
provided an extensive research library and introductions
to violin makers as well as contributing a used violin for
experimental purposes. I thank them both
or their encouragement and guidance.
...My current violin instructor, Ron Kilde, has been a professional
violinst for many years. His advice from test playing of my various
violins has allowed me to make rapid progress in developing the skill to craft superior sounding violins.


...Now, after ten years of training, intense experimentation,
and comparison testing (including my first eighteen scratch-built violins), I have completed a number of fine, acoustically balanced instruments, which, unless I am mistaken, rival instruments costing several times as much, give great playing satisfaction, and potentially are a sound financial investment.
... They have concert level power and are very even throughout.

... If you have need of a true performance violin, please contact me to arrange a trial.Note: no space for the text!
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