Ronald Moretto

Luthier

Modern violins that cherish the character of wood

Ronald studied the flute as well as physics and acoustics before turning to lutherie fully
He gained experience by training in Brazil and China before moving to Portgual
He aims to preserve the personality of wood in each of his violins

Ronald Moretto’s journey as a luthier began when he was a conservatoire student in wind instruments in Brazil. “My interest in instrument making began in 2007 when I started making small repairs to my own flute,” he explains. This early fascination led him to study physics with a focus on acoustics, laying the foundation for his understanding of instrument construction. Practical experience, including a decade in China, consolidated Ronald's expertise, and following this he began to integrate the use of technology into his violin craftsmanship. Now residing in Portugal, Ronald creates and restores violins, balancing technical precision with tonal versatility. His forward-thinking approach has earned him patents for instruments and their production. “If we truly want to honour the past, we should also embrace innovation,” he says.

Interview

Do your violins have unique personalities?: Definitely! Each piece of wood has its own personality, with natural variations in grain, density and age. Even when construction is consistent, there will always be subtle differences between instruments. Small changes in shape, varnish or assembly can significantly alter both acoustics and aesthetics.
Do you feel emotionally connected to your instruments?: Every instrument I build or restore has an emotional impact on me. The connection often begins the moment I carve the first pieces of wood. However, I enjoy seeing violins go into the right hands, where they serve not only the musician but also the audience.
Do your violins include unique design features?: Yes. Some details might even interest other luthiers. For example, the way I carve the purfling is different from the traditional method, resulting in a cleaner and more precise finish.
Do you support sustainable practices in your work?: I select responsibly sourced wood and apply production techniques that minimize waste. My experience in the musical instrument industry has allowed me to develop efficient working methods without compromising the artisanal quality of violins.

Ronald Moretto is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2007