Luthier Recommendations?

January 10, 2016 at 10:42 PM · maybe you should try the name "violin maker" or "violin shop". I am not american, so I can't help you exactly. Just in general, even if you are a beginner, go to at least 3 shops before deciding. And if you are not experienced in general, take your teacher with you. But ask him nicely and maybe invite him for coffee afterwards, it's his time you get.

January 10, 2016 at 10:42 PM · double post

January 11, 2016 at 06:42 AM · Well, that's part of the problem, actually. Both mine and my teacher's schedules are extremely busy, so arranging a time outside of a lesson to go look at violins is nigh impossible.

Given this, I thought I would take the opportunity to check out other shops during my brief vacation. The violin maker in my area is well-respected and affordable, but it never hurts to look, right?

A Google search yields several makers in the area. I was hoping someone might have had direct experience with one.

January 11, 2016 at 09:49 AM · Depending on the price range you are looking at, some violin makers will send you violins for a trial period.

January 11, 2016 at 02:28 PM · I agree with Simon, that a shop is more what you need at this stage. A good shop will probably carry examples of several local luthiers, as well as instruments from other parts of the country, other countries, other eras...and the luthier who runs it will be able to make minute adjustments to any instruments you want to try. Especially at the "affordable beginner level" you aren't going to be commissioning, or, probably, looking at a local maker's work, anyway.

Why limit your choices to the work of any single maker when you can spend the same time exploring all sorts of different options?

January 11, 2016 at 02:28 PM · I agree with Simon, that a shop is more what you need at this stage. A good shop will probably carry examples of several local luthiers, as well as instruments from other parts of the country, other countries, other eras...and the luthier who runs it will be able to make minute adjustments to any instruments you want to try. Especially at the "affordable beginner level" you aren't going to be commissioning, or, probably, looking at a local maker's work, anyway.

Why limit your choices to the work of any single maker when you can spend the same time exploring all sorts of different options?

January 11, 2016 at 03:43 PM · Okay, I have to admit that the distinction between "luthier" and "violin shop" is a bit hazy to me. I thought they were mostly one and the same.

So I should be looking for a shop that offers the work of several individuals, rather than tracking down the work of a single individual? Sounds reasonable.

I guess that helps narrow down my Google search! :-D

January 11, 2016 at 04:27 PM · What you're looking for is a violin shop, yes. It should have one or more luthiers that do repairs, but might or might not have one or more luthiers who also make violins.