Strunal

www.strunal.cz

The company Strunal, spol. s r.o. is a traditional and currently the largest manufacturer of stringed instruments in Europe. Situated in the picturesque town of Luby near Cheb in the westernmost part of the Czech Republic, it is continuing the rich tradition of musical instrument manufacture in that region, dating back to the latter half of the 16th century. The production of musical instruments in Luby took on its industrial character between the two world wars. In its present form the works, which is being continually modernized, has existed since the late 1960s.

A Modern and Prospering Firm

Today Strunal is maximising on the skill of its violin and guitar makers and combining it with modern and environmentally friendly technologies. Emphasis is placed on the painstaking choice of high-quality resonance material and its meticulous processing. The works is fitted with equipment for the full technological cycle of production, from trunk cutting to dimension timber storage, drying kilns, workshops for making parts of musical instruments and assembling them, to the surface finishing of the instruments and their final outfit and tuning. All the workshops are kept so as to meet environmental requirements, and their condition is continuously monitored, which also applies to surface finishing. All these aspects are a guarantee of the outstanding sound properties and quality of the instruments, based on traditional European craftsmanship.

The Volume of Production Does Not Affect the Quality of the Instruments

Strunal's annual output is approximately 50 000 guitars of all shapes and sizes; more than 6 000 violins; nearly 1 000 violas; up to 2 000 cellos and the same number of double-basses; 3 500 bows; more than 500 mandolins and banjos; cases, covers and other accessories. All instruments are made in several versions, from cheaper school instruments to top quality concert models. Customers will also appreciate the great variety of sizes, from full-size instruments to reduced sizes, from 7/8, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 to 1/8. The quality of these reduced-size instruments is equally as high as that of the full-size instruments, both as regards the sound and workmanship, enabling adequate tuition to children from the age of four.

Strunal Is an Important Exporter

A major part of the company's output( around 90 per cent) is intended for customers in other countries. Its most important export territories are the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Mexico and Japan, and in the past few years also Russia. Other outlets include territories, such as Iran, Oman, Lebanon and Sudan. Strunal exports its products to 52 countries the world over.

References from Renowned Artists

The traditional artisanship of highly skilled specialists is the reason for the continuously growing confidence in Czech musical instruments. Guitars made by the company are recommended to students by professor Jiří Jirmal; its violins by concert virtuoso Jaroslav Svěcený. Besides ordinary production, the company presents and offers the highlight of its programme-- master instruments from the workshops of the Luby master craftsmen. These instruments are played by renowned Czech and foreign artists, such as Jakub Třasák and Václav Hudeček.