Then

In 1975, Gregg Alf made his first violin, beginning a lifelong exploration of the art of violin making. Soon afterwards, he travelled to Cremona, Italy, where he spent eight formative years studying and working within the traditions of the great Italian masters.

Returning to the United States in 1984, he went on to establish Curtin & Alf with fellow violin maker Joseph Curtin in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their work combined the close study of historic instruments with a spirit of collaboration, experimentation, and openness.

Gregg later established his independent workshop, developing a distinctive approach to instrument making through decades of dialogue with musicians, fellow makers, and some of the world's finest historical instruments.

Now

Today, Alf Studios enters a new chapter.

With Gregg continuing his work at the bench, his son Leo helping lead the family enterprise, and a small team of dedicated craftspeople, the studio is building upon its heritage while embracing new possibilities.

Now based between London and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, our work brings together contemporary violin making, carefully selected historic instruments, and a growing community of musicians and makers.

As a new generation becomes involved in the studio, we are also asking broader questions about the future of our craft, the communities we build around it, and the kind of life and work we wish to cultivate.

Our Philosophy

Craftsmanship as a way of life.

For us, violin making has always been about more than the instruments themselves.

At its heart, it is a practice of attention: to materials, to sound, to the natural world, and to the people for whom we make.

We believe that meaningful work grows out of curiosity, patience, collaboration, and the freedom to explore. Tradition provides a foundation, but it is through openness and experimentation that a living craft continues to evolve.

We also believe that the relationships surrounding our work are as important as the work itself. The exchange between maker and musician, the sharing of knowledge between generations, and the friendships formed along the way are all part of what makes this vocation meaningful.

Increasingly, we are interested in cultivating a more human-scale approach to working and living - one that makes room for creativity, reflection, community, and a deeper connection to place.

Our growing roots in the Forest of Dean offer an opportunity to explore these ideas, bringing together craftsmanship, music, hospitality, and the wider rhythms of life.

We hope Alf Studios will always be a place where excellence in craft and generosity of spirit can flourish together.