Alf Studios

Gregg T. Alf Concert Violins

About us

Picture by Tomoko Nagakawa

About Gregg

Gregg Alf is respected as one of today’s leading violinmakers. He graduated in 1980 from the Violinmaking School in Cremona, Italy, where he lived for many years before founding Curtin & Alf with his friend, Joseph Curtin. 

With a fine reputation for concert instruments, Gregg holds a complement of Gold Medals and the honorary title ‘Hors Concours’ from the Violin Society of America.  

He now heads  Alf Studios in the USA. As a sought after teacher and a leading proponent of innovation and sharing between violinmakers, many of his students have gone on to successful careers of their own. 

Gregg serves regularly as a judge at international violinmaking competitions and as a guest lecturer and examiner at violinmaking schools around the world. He has curated several important exhibitions including the 2016 Messiah Stradivari Exhibition in Cremona and the Tokyo Stradivarius Festival, 2018 and is a member of The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers, and the International Entente of Violinmakers EILA. 

His work appeared at the Ole Bull celebration in Bergen Norway and is in loan collections offered by the Royal Academy of London, the Amati Foundation, Dextra Musica and the Maestro Foundation. 

Exceptional Artists | Instruments

Discover more artists and orchestras

  • "Curtin and Alf's copy of my Del Gesu is a beauty. It sounds terrific--the sort of fiddle you can't put down."

    Ruggiero Ricci

  • My instrument, crafted in 1992, witnessed my transition from childhood to adulthood and shared in the beauty of my musical journey. I hold a profound attachment and connection to the time we've spent together. Gregg T. Alf's violin seamlessly blends delicacy and sophistication with a powerful sound, infusing warmth and a rich flavor into any solo, chamber, orchestra, or performance, enhancing the expression splendidly.

    Hyunae Lee

  • "I have been absolutely thrilled with my Alf Concert Viola, and we have toured the world together! I was immediately drawn to its rich, complex tone, and the instrument has only gotten better in the decade and a half we’ve been working together. This is a phenomenal viola.”

    Nadia Sirota

  • I will never forget the moment Gregg T. Alf handed me my del-Gesù-model in Venice. The Cremonese beauty and the brilliance of this wonderful violin can hardly be put into words. From the very first moment my new violin has become my closest friend and my best advisor on stage.

    Andreas Pihusch

  • Apart from being exquisite to look at, it projects incredibly well, has a deep tenor tone on the lower strings and a sweet mezzo tone on the A string. What is more , it has improved with time! I could not ask for any more of an instrument, despite being offered older and very highly valued instruments to play.

    Ashan Pillai, Barcelona 2022

  • "Curtin and Alf's copy of my 1726 'Lady Stretton' Guarneri de Gesu defies comparison with the original. It is visually stunning, and the tonal quality and carrying power are all I could ask forin the concert hall."

    Elmar Oliveira

  • "When I bought the 'Prince Doria' in 1962, I hardly imagined one day owning a second violin of this quality. Well, the copy of my 'Prince Doria' is amazing. Dear colleagues, if your career depends on the subtlety and power we associate with great Italian sound, give these gentlemen a call."

    Zvi Zeitlin

  • "I needed something more powerful... ...Having just advanced to the Laureate round of the Indianapolis Competition playing a Nicolo Amati from 1650, and with the Concerto finals coming up, I wanted an instrument I could lean into while still expressing all that I love in music. I had a vision of the perfect violin. Gregg's violin is amazing!"

    Svetlin Roussev

  • I am so fortunate and grateful to have met my 1993 Gregg Alf viola. I have never played any other instrument with this combination of depth and richness, clarity and ease of articulation, and strong projection to the back of the hall.

    Ethan Heath

 Contact us

  • violins@alfstudios.com

  • UK: +44 203 051 0736
    US & International: +1 (734) 219 4222
    EEA: +39 351 475 2277