My workshop is located in the historic town centre of Montpellier where I really enjoy to work.

My greatest inspiration comes from the Italian makers of the 18th century (from Cremona, Venezia and Breccia) who perfected the sound and aesthetic beauty of the violin family.
The study of these masterpieces has lead me to search for only the finest materials. I select spruce from Italian Alps and flamed maple from Bosnia.

I draw my models based on geometric and harmonic proportions used by the ancient makers (thanks to François Denis who found this lost informations).
All the woodwork is done using cutting tools like knives, gouges, planes and scrapers in order to obtain good control and quality in the making process.
I endlessly research matters of varnish and wood treatment. By using different resin, oil and cooking tricks I can change colour, flexibility and transparency: all these details influence the personality of the sound.

Throughout the process of making, my intuition, experience and exchange with musicians influence my aesthetics and sound direction.

My instruments are performed on throughout Europe and the United States by concert artists and teachers.

Selecting wood in Italy

Drawing the outline using geometric and harmonic proportions

Making the mould to give the shape of the instrument

Cutting the channel where will be inserted the purfling

Gouging the arching

Thumb planes

Finishing the arching with a scraper

Thickening the front

Sawing the scroll

Sculpting the scroll

Back, ribs and front before closing the box

Shaping the neck

Preparing the box to receive the neck

Cooking the varnish made of pine resin and linseed oil

Adjusting the sound post ("the violin soul" in french)

[ Development ]   [ Honors ]   [ Expositions and meetings ]

Upon the formal completion of his training, he opened his own workshop in Montpellier. Nicolas Gilles was born in 1977 in Montpellier, France, where he set up is workshop after expressing an interest in music at an early age. He pursued diplomas as both a performer and instrument maker.

  • Classical guitar studies from 1986 at schools and conservatories in Clermont l'Hérault, Montpellier, Nancy, Mirecourt :
    superior diploma with special mention.

  • French school of violin making in Mirecourt from 1993 to 1996 :
    final diploma.

  • English school of violin making in Newark from 1996 to 1998 :
    diploma with mention " upper merit ".

  • Assistant of Charles Luc Hommel in Marseille, France from 1998 to 2000 (restoration).

  • Assistant of Frédéric Chaudière in Montpellier, France from 2000 to 2002 (making).

  • Set up workshop in 2001, making quartet instruments and sound adjustments. The workshop is located in the historic centre of Montpellier: the "Sainte Anne square" is one of the most important cultural districts in the city.
  • First price at the " Hector Berlioz "
    international guitar competition
    in 1988.

  • Sound price for a violin
    at the " Steiner " competition, Germany
    in 2001.

  • Gold Medal for quartet
    at the " Violin Society of America " competition
    in 2004, Portland, USA.

  • Gold Medal for viola
    at the " Violin Society of America " competition
    in 2004, Portland, USA.

  • Silver medal for cello workmanship
    at the " Violin Society of America " competition
    in 2004, Portland, USA.

  • Musicora (Paris - France)
  • Mundomusica (Crémone - Italie)
  • Klanggestalten (Berlin - Allemagne)
  • Kronberg Cello Festival (Kronberg - Allemagne)

  • ALADFI member
    Association of violin maker and bow maker for development of instrument making.

  • VSA member
    Association of violin makers in America    .

  • TRANS-ART secretary
    Association where meet different art like dance, music, cinema, wine…

  • AIMMTP member
    A summer music festival where students from around the world come to study with world-renowned teachers