VIOLIN MAKER SINCE 1995

"Thomas built a Guarneri del Gesù copy for me. The instrument is very special, I am finally satisfied. My violin is a healthy, radiant and very beautiful instrument."

"In addition to his excellent craftsmanship, I appreciate his special flair for getting my instrument in optimal sonic condition."

"After a long, arduous search for a better sound adjustment of my Storioni violin and many unsuccessful modifications of different parts of the instrument, I met Thomas van der Heyd, who had just opened his new violin making workshop in Frankfurt. After a short analysis, Thomas had already recognized the problem and taken the right measures. I was impressed by the perfect execution of his craftsmanship and the outstanding result. The wonderful sound of my Storioni is back!"

"I have come to know Thomas van der Heyd as a person who impresses with attention to detail, profound knowledge and outstanding craftsmanship. I am thrilled with both his new builds and his ability to recognize and execute sound tweaks. My Matthias Alban sounds better than ever. He takes time to address any concerns and advises and explains his approach, building trust."

"I have been working with Thomas for 8 years. His high demand for perfection in craftsmanship is certainly one of the reasons why he has managed to build the best viola I have ever had in my hands! Also, after many years of experience regularly using viola and violin bows (baroque as well as modern), I can't help but notice that the quality of his bow hair is outstanding!"

"Already the first meeting with Thomas van der Heyd was confidence inspiring. As an internationally known restorer of old instruments, as well as a specialist in new construction, I hold Thomas van der Heyd in particularly high esteem. His craftsmanship is of the highest quality. With his consistently positive qualities, a collaboration is created between him, the master luthier, and us, the performing instrumentalists, in a special way that could not be better."

"A profound expert in his field, master luthier Thomas van der Heyd is a sympathetic and perfectionist restorer of high-quality stringed instruments. The restoration of a Stradivari violin made a great impression on me, and I wish him every success."

"Even the first bow rehairing by Thomas van der Heyd absolutely thrilled me sonically. Since then, I have entrusted my instrument to him for all repairs, but especially sound adjustments - each time my expectations have been greatly exceeded! His new bridge gave my instrument a much wider range of colors and dynamics that I wouldn't want to miss. Above all, however, I am very impressed by his luthiery, of which I have already been able to play a few violins and violas. My next viola will definitely be a 'van der Heyd'!"

"In the violin making studio of Thomas van der Heyd I have always been served courteously, competently and comprehensively. Mr. van der Heyd not only has an outstanding gift for putting tonal wishes into practice, but his restoration skills in particular have amazed and convinced me time and time again. No distance would be too far for me to call on his help in all matters again at any time."

"Thomas van der Heyd restored a badly damaged violin by Antonio Stradivari for us. The result is excellent. There is nothing left of the damage, the overall condition of the instrument is even better than before and also stable in the long term. We are extremely enthusiastic about his work."