photo by Zachary P. Stephens
"Douglas is a gentleman of deep integrity, full of love for his art and craft, and meticulous in husbanding his 'children' — the instruments he makes so well. They are consistently evenly voiced, with a rich, healthy sound that I can enjoy listening to weekly; a fair number of my private students own Cox violins. I’m especially grateful for the long-pattern model which has served me and several of my taller students very successfully. I cannot recommend Doug Cox highly enough."
Marylou Speaker Churchill
Former Principal Second Violin, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Faculty, New England Conservatory of Music
Douglas Cox received his early training at the State Violin Making School in Mittenwald, Germany in the late 1960's. He spent ten years as head of the repair department and chief restorer for the firm of J. Bradley Taylor, Inc. in Boston, servicing the finest instruments in the New England area. Since 1981 he has devoted himself to building fine new instruments. His home and studio are in the hills outside Brattleboro, Vermont, not far from Marlboro Music and the Yellow Barn Music Festival.
To his making of new instruments, Doug brings the discipline and workmanship of his early training tempered with years of study of fine old instruments and extensive experience in tonal adjustment for the most demanding professional players. He continues to stretch his making abilities and understanding of what makes violins work by building close copies of unusual and noteworthy master instruments.
Since 1981 Doug has built nearly 600 new instruments. His instruments have received awards from the Violin Society of America and are used by professional artists in a wide array of professional settings. Click here to see a few of the artists playing Cox instruments.