JOHA® – The Sound of Tradition and Craftsmanship
Violin making is an art that goes far beyond simply joining wood and glue. It requires precision, patience, a trained ear – and above all, deep artisanal understanding. Just as the construction of a string instrument reflects centuries of tradition, so does its refinement: the application of varnish.
With our brand name JOHA®, we honor the legacy of our founder Josef Hammerl, who laid the foundation decades ago for a manufactory dedicated with passion to the development and production of high-quality violin varnishes. His philosophy – quality through craftsmanship, precision through experience, authenticity through tradition – still guides our work today.
A Handmade Product for a Handmade Instrument
In our modern world, where many things are automated, digitized, and industrialized, we consciously follow a different path: JOHA® varnishes are made entirely by hand, based on time-honored recipes, using natural raw materials and a deep understanding of the needs of violin makers.
Because varnish is much more than just a protective coating. It influences sound, response, projection, and playing feel. At the same time, it has a decisive impact on the instrument's appearance – a subtle shimmer, the depth of color, the vibrancy of the wood beneath the varnish – all of this arises from experience, sensitivity, and care.
Our products are designed to integrate seamlessly into the complex process of instrument making. They support the acoustic properties of the wood, enhance its natural grain, and allow the luthier to express their own craftsmanship in the surface finish.
Trusted by Masters – For Generations
Today, JOHA® varnishes are supplied to more than 70 countries. Whether in small workshops in Italy, in renowned violin making centers such as Mirecourt, Mittenwald, or Cremona, or in the studios of modern luthiers around the world: Our products have stood the test of time and are trusted by instrument makers across all continents.
This trust is both a responsibility and a driving force. We know our customers expect not just any industrial product, but a material that reflects the spirit of the craft, one that feels like a true tool in a master’s hand – precise, reliable, and full of character.
Care in Every Step
The production of our varnishes begins with the selection of the finest raw materials – natural resins, pure pigments, refined solvents – all of which are rigorously tested for quality. They are then mixed, cooked, dissolved, and filtered according to traditional recipes, some of which have been refined over decades. Every production step is overseen by experienced specialists, paying close attention to detail and working in small batches to ensure consistent quality.
We deliberately avoid mass production and artificial acceleration of chemical processes. Varnishes need time – to mature, to harmonize, to develop the qualities that make them so highly valued in daily use.
A Promise to Sound and Character
Today, JOHA® stands not only for varnishes but for a holistic understanding of quality in instrument making. We view each product as part of a greater whole – as a contribution to creating an instrument that will touch musicians and audiences for generations to come.
Our varnishes help create instruments that tell stories, evoke emotions, and open soundscapes. For us, this is not an abstract idea, but a daily reality – in every liter of varnish that leaves our workshop.
JOHA® – for those who want not only to preserve tradition but to carry it forward. For those who shape sound with their hands. For those who seek the exceptional.