He enjoyed working with the Joseph Guarnerius model. Hwang plays on a Peter Guarnerius of Mantua, c.1698. It was an impeccably close copy of Paganini's famous Cannone Guarnerius. Paganini's violin, Il Cannone Guarnerius, is kept in Palazzo Tursi. Brodsky was in possession of a Guarnerius violin, previously owned by Charles Philippe Lafont. Previously played by Fritz Kreisler, the violin is thus known as the "Ex-Kreisler Guarnerius". Not only did Vuillaume repair the Guarnerius, but he also made an exact replica.