Malcolm Collins cello #32, 2021

A prolific maker with an excellent eye and a steady hand, Malcolm Collins recently passed away in his 80s. Like several other contemporary New Zealand luthiers, he received his initial training from seminal Hamilton maker, the late Ian Sweetman. Malcolm’s cello models are influenced by the bold, broad style of the eighteenth century Venetian maker Domenico Montagnana, though tempered with finely cut edges and purfling. This instrument, Malcolm’s 32nd, has a beautiful, golden amber oil varnish, a full, rich sound, and speaks freely and readily across all four strings.