David began his career studying under Barry Oliver, a Cremonese Master Luthier, who has studied under Morassi and Bissolotti.  This took over three years during which David was trained in the finest tradition of Cremonese violin making.  Barry Oliver was so impressed with David's talent that he offered him a permanent position in his workshop and further David's knowledge in violin repair and restoration.  This continued until Barry's illness forced the closure of his workshop in 1990.

David then became a partner in The Violin Shop at Hexham in Northumberland with Nial Cain, who had been apprenticed to Barry Oliver.  This continued until September 2000 when Nial moved back to his native Wales.  During this time David and Nial constructed over thirty instruments under the 'Cain and Mann' label.

Both makers became interested not only in the old Italian styles of Stradivari and Guarneri but also in the construction and plate thicknessing of the semi modern Italian makers such as the Antoniazzi and Bisiach families.

David's two daughters are both professional violinists.  Sarah, a classical violinist, living and working in London and Claire, a fiddle player highly regarded as a tutor of traditional music and touring extensively with Aaron Jones, Tabache, Craobh Rua and Christy O'Leary. You can learn more about Claire at her web site www.clairemann.com.