Murray Kuun: Non-traditional Violin Maker

Murray Kuun is a woodworker and luthier living in South Africa, where he builds violins and other instruments. In a recent interview, he told us about his path to becoming a maker of instruments with innovative designs.

- Bob Buckingham

Please tell us something about your journey from woodworker to luthier. What precipitated that change in your career path?

I was born in 1952 and showed interest in design and music at an early age I designed/made my first piece, a bedside lamp, circa 1957. Our home was always filled with music - Dad plays the piano and Mom sings (both are still alive). At high school, my best subjects were tech drawing and woodwork.

I only got involved in woodwork proper around 1972 when my wife's dad helped me to make an audio stand. After that I never stopped with the woodwork. My main interests, though, were always design and music - I started playing guitar in around 1969, the Woodstock year.