Master Violin Maker & Restorer

Yucel Acin continues a proud family tradition of violin making, having learned from his father, Cafer Acin, founder of one of Turkey's first violin-making schools.

He crafts instruments with meticulous attention to detail and restores violins, violas, and cellos, preserving their unique beauty and voice. Every restoration honors the original maker's intent, with precision and care to ensure both tonal and aesthetic excellence.

Over his career, Yucel has restored hundreds of fine antique instruments. His own creations are celebrated for their rich, expressive sound.

Currently, he leads the Restoration Department at William Harris Lee, maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship and artistry.

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Signature Instruments

Handmade Cello - Front and Back Handmade Cello - Side Handmade Cello - Scroll Handmade Cello - Scroll

Yucel Acin Montagnana Model Cello (2024)

Handcrafted in Chicago with select European tonewoods, offering a rich and powerful sound.

Handmade Violin - Front and Back Handmade Violin - Scroll Handmade Violin - Scroll

Yucel Acin Kreisler Model Violin (2008)

Crafted with European spruce top and European maple back, finished in a rich oil varnish for a warm, resonant tone.

Handmade Violin - Front and Back Handmade Violin - Scroll Handmade Violin - Scroll

Yucel Acin Heifetz Model Violin (2008)

Handcrafted with a European spruce top and a European maple back, finished in a rich oil varnish for a warm, resonant tone.

Selected Restorations

Antique Violin Before Restoration Antique Violin After Restoration Antique Violin Before Restoration Antique Violin After Restoration Antique Violin Before Restoration Antique Violin After Restoration
Before

L. Widhalm (1832) Violin Restoration

Comprehensive restoration including peg box and top crack repairs, rib crack stabilization, installation of a new fingerboard, and careful touch-up for a seamless finish.

Cello Before Restoration Cello After Restoration Cello Before Restoration Cello After Restoration Cello Before Restoration Cello After Restoration
Before

Nicalaus Landuln (1798) Cello Restoration

Extensive rib and neck restoration with new fingerboard, crack repairs, and complete set-up.

Portugal Violin Before Restoration Portugal Violin After Restoration Portugal Violin Before Restoration Portugal Violin After Restoration Portugal Violin Before Restoration Portugal Violin After Restoration
Before

Portugal Violin Restoration

Extensive restoration involving worm damage treatment, patch work, and multiple crack repairs to preserve both the structure and tone of the instrument.

J.B. Villaume Violin Restoration

J.B. Villaume Violin Restoration

Center joint open seams repair

Mariano Militello (1918) Violin Before Restoration Mariano Militello (1918) Violin After Restoration
Before

Mariano Militello (1918) Violin Restoration

Restoration of a 1918 Mariano Militello violin included a stomach patch, acoustic reinforcements, upper and lower block patches, cleats, and the installation of a new bass bar.

Arthur Broughan (1930) Cello Before Restoration Arthur Broughan (1930) Cello After Restoration Arthur Broughan (1930) Cello Before Restoration Arthur Broughan (1930) Cello After Restoration Arthur Broughan (1930) Cello Before Restoration Arthur Broughan (1930) Cello After Restoration
Before

Arthur Broughan (1930) Cello Restoration

Extensive restoration including a new soundpost patch, installation of a new bass bar with supporting cleats, and multiple top crack repairs, ensuring structural stability and tonal excellence.

Instruments & Bows

Christian August Fischer Violin - Front Christian August Fischer Violin - Back

Christian August Fischer (1972) Violin

Christian August Fischer worked at Markneukirchen. No rough workmanship to despoil the beauty of the wood.

Full restoration done by Yucel Acin in 2025.

John Marshall Violin - Front John Marshall Violin - Back

John Marshall (1913) Violin

Chicago made violin. Marshall produced about 300 instruments during his career.

Full restoration done by Yucel Acin in 2024.

Cello Bow - Main image Cello Bow - Frog Cello Bow - Heads

R. Grunke Cello Bow

Richard Grunke is known as one of the most important German bow makers of the twentieth century. This bow is made of gold and turtle shell.

Weighs 81 grams.

Restoration done by Yucel Acin.

Viola Bow - Main image Viola Bow - Frog Cello Bow - Heads

Otto Durrschmidt Viola Bow

Viola bow made by Otto Durrschmidt.

Weighs 70 grams.

Restoration done by Yucel Acin.

Viola Bow - Main image Viola Bow - Frog Viola Bow - Heads

Charles Nicolas Bazin (1860) Cello Bow

Cello bow made by Charles Nicolas Bazin. Signed certificate by J.F.Raffin.

Weighs 78 grams.

Restoration done by Yucel Acin.

Viola Bow - Main image Viola Bow - Frog Viola Bow - Heads

Albert Nurnberger Violin Bow

Violin bow made by Albert Nurnberger.

Weighs 70 grams.

Restoration done by Yucel Acin.

Testimonials

"

For the past five years, Dr. Yucel Acin has expertly repaired, adjusted, and appraised my violin, consistently restoring its proper sound and tone. He patiently taught me how to adjust critical components like the sound-post and bridge, explaining the scientific principles behind his work from a physics and acoustics perspective. In my thirty-plus years of playing, Dr. Yucel Acin is one of the few luthiers I have met who combines extensive experience with a scientific background, all delivered with patience and meticulous care. It has been a privilege to be his client and friend.

Junshi Y.

Professional Violinist

"

Mr. Yucel Acin's craftsmanship is of the highest caliber, refined, meticulous, and deeply cognizant of each instrument's uniqueness. He has successfully cared for instruments at every level, from rare Italian antiques to modern violins, and his work is trusted by both faculty and students at Roosevelt University. His restoration and repair work consistently demonstrates exceptional technique and artistry.

MingHuan Xu C.

Professor of Violin

Contact

Email: info@yucelacin.com

Phone: +1 (312) 972-0717

Yucel Acin Signature