James Wimmer cello, 1993, Servais Strad model, Santa Barbara | Metzler Violins

[further details about this instrument are forthcoming]

About the Instrument
This cello makes for an excellent solo instrument. It is modeled on the Servais Stradivarius from 1701, named for its 19th century owner, the Belgian cellist Adrien Francois Servais. The Servais, held in the Smithsonian collection, is one of the master maker’s largest cellos, the last of Stradivari’s “bass violins.”

Interior label reads: “James Wimmer / Santa Barbara / 1993”
Length: 782 mm
Upper Bout 361 mm
Center: 242 mm
Lower Bout: 459 mm

About the Maker
James Wimmer (1949- ) is a contemporary luthier in Santa Barbara, California. In his youth, Wimmer performed fiddle in an old-time string band. He toured Germany as an exchange student in 1969, ultimately remaining in the country for over a dozen years. For four of those years, Wimmer apprenticed under the master luthiers Wolfgang Uebel in Celle, Germany. Under Uebel, Wimmer largely assisted in the making of made violas de gamba, supplying the instruments for the GEWA catalog. Wimmer later worked under Herbert Rainer Knobel, also in Celle. After returning the United States, Wimmer opened his own atelier in Santa Barbara in 1986. Wimmer recently lead a violin making workshop in Chennai, India and built a quartet of instruments for Westmont College. Wimmer has made over 200 fine instruments over the decades of his career, making sure to select prized European woods.