Alf Studios Journal

Gregg T. Alf 11/14/25 Gregg T. Alf 11/14/25

Part 2: Rethinking Antiquing in Contemporary Violin Making

In the second essay from Bench Copy, Gregg reflects on a turning point: curating the 300th anniversary exhibition of the Messiah Stradivari in Cremona.

Encountering this nearly untouched violin reshaped his perspective. The Messiah revealed that a new instrument can carry strength in its clarity. Since then, Gregg has been drawn to letting time shape each violin’s story.

Gregg T. Alf 10/22/25 Gregg T. Alf 10/22/25

Part 1: Rethinking Antiquing in Contemporary Violin Making

For the first essay of Bench Copy by Gregg T. Alf, the maker revisits his early years of crafting antiqued violin replicas — exploring the power of visual tradition, the artistry behind wear, and the quiet shift that led him to let time, not technique, tell the instrument’s story.