Strangers No More #1: Kevin Lee, Master Luthier

 

Kevin Lee, of Leeds, Utah, population about 1000, claims to be the best violin maker in the world. (By the way, a violin maker is known as a "luthier"). Lee stakes a confident claim to being the only living Master Luthier, and that his violins are on par with, or even better than, those of Stradivarius and Guaneri. The trouble is that there is no foolproof way to prove or disprove his claims. 

One compelling endorsement was provided by Jacques Francais, the then-world's foremost dealer-appraiser-connoisseur, back in 1999. Unfortunately he has passed away. (See https://www.kevinleeluthier.com/appraisal.htm)

Lee backs up his claim with lots and lots of data. From a lifetime of intense study, to arranging blind sound tests against those famous violins, to gushy professional concert violinists, to positive (but guarded) responses from the top four dealers in the world. He has also collected countless rare books on violin making, has traveled the world to see and play the best violins. He has examined the Smithsonian's collection of violins (and not just the ones on public display), even restringing some for them.

He buys only the best, most expensive woods. He has reproduced or improved on the past masters' varnishes. He has studied how minute changes to f-holes can improve sound. In short, he has spent a lifetime obsessively diving deeper and deeper into how to produce the very best violins in the world. (See https://www.kevinleeluthier.com)

So why is he not in New York, or London, or Italy? He says that the climate in Leeds is perfect for aging and curing violin wood. Far better than that of Cremona, Italy, where Stradivarius made his. Does that damage his branding? Well, yes. But Kevin Lee is ALL about making the best violins. Period. There is no compromise in that regard. 

He has spent several fortunes traveling, promoting, learning, exploring, making new connections... generally, marketing. But the process is complicated, and complete success in that arena is rare for any luthier.

The trouble is that getting any one of the four most prominent dealers to endorse the quality of his violins, or any other current luthier's, is nearly impossible. There is too much risk in impacting their own reputations, and bottom line profits, to give him his due. 

Also, whether it's dealers, collectors or musicians, everybody wants "old". Everybody wants "name". It is the same with the world's top musicians. Even when they agree that his instrument sounds superior, they risk negative publicity for playing a violin without the recognized credentials. 

Ahhh... politics. Ahhh, business. He can't sell in Utah because buyers would only pay a fraction of what the instruments deserve. In fact, most of his sales are overseas. And since Covid eliminated a vast majority of live concert performances, the demand for fine instruments has at least temporarily plummeted. It's a constant struggle.

He is not alone in that struggle. In fact, Stradivarius, who was independently very, very wealthy, made almost nothing from his violins, and even donated a lot of them. Guenari, in the shadow of his mentor, Stradivarius, struggled to even make a living and died young (46).

So what is Kevin Lee's solution? Simply to keep making the very finest violins. To keep plugging away at gaining proper recognition. To not compromise.

He recently finished a gorgeous, inlaid vilolin featuring images from Disney's "Tangled". He feels that it is not only lovely, and unique in its design, but is also the finest violin ever made from the perspective of craftsmanship, tone, and playability. 

Did he approach Disney, and did they love it? Sure. Could they sell it, and more violins like it, for a lot of money? Absolutely. But Disney is in the business of mass sales. It took Lee four months to make that violin. He feels he might be able to trim that down to two months each. But that is a far, far cry from what Disney would need. So... he soldiers on.

There are other articles on-line that do a more complete job of telling his whole story. If you enjoy music, or craftsmanship, or a quest for excellence, I suggest you Google his name to learn more. (See, for example, https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2013/01/27/kessler-samodt-kevin-lee-of-leeds-master-crafter-of-violins-rivaling-the-great-master-luthiers-stgnews-videocast/#.YnR51S-B2Kc)

In my case, I first met Kevin Lee when I worked for the Spectrum newspaper as a photojournalist back in the mid-90's, and visited his studio with my camera for a feature article. I was fascinated by his story. And of his process. Over the many years since then, whenever I have visited the St. George area, I have thought about that interview, the obsessed master craftsman and the beautiful instruments. And I have wondered if I could ever visit him again and get an update.

On my way to a hike a few days ago, I was literally passing by his studio and decided to stop and give it a shot. He graciously agreed to let me visit again today and the resulting conversation we had charged up my own creative juices like lightning had struck. 

Who gets to visit at length with someone who is the best in the world at their craft? Who gets to see the finest example of, well, anything... in the world? Who gets to see the workshop where those great violins are made?

Well, today, I did. Can I verify that Kevin Lee is, in fact, the very best? No, I cannot. But I challenge anyone to make a solid case that he isn't.

So... after our three hour discussion, which actually just scratched the surface of his story, I believe that the world's only living Master Luthier lives quietly with his wife in Leeds, Utah. And continues to make outstanding instruments... the best violins in the world.

That is my first story from the road. I hope you enjoyed it. If so, please comment!