Welcome to Doran Violins

Michael Doran is a Seattle-based maker of violins, violas and
cellos and an accomplished restorer of fine instruments. His
award-winning work is played by professional musicians and
advanced students. His evocative instruments reflect his excellent
technical foundation, innovation, and attention to detail.

He is a gifted maker who works closely with musicians to
find the instrument with which they will resonate and
bring forth their finest music.


  • Violins
  • Violas
  • Cellos
The Workbench Blog

Making Purfling

Making Purfling

Purfling is decorative inlay. On violins it is the little black and white line that runs around the edge of the top and the back. Purfling is made from three pieces of wood sandwiched together to make a black-white-black pattern. A very small channel...
Posted by Michael Doran on December 23rd, 2009

Subscribe

Silver Medal for Cello Tone!

Silver Medal of ToneCongratulations Michael!

Michael’s Montagnana model cello won a Silver Medal for Tone at the 18th International Competition of the Violin Society of America. It was competing against 47 others by professional makers from all over the world. Michael’s was an immediate favorite of the tone judges, thought by some to be the best sounding cello in the competition.