The violins shown are a special selection. For information on our entire inventory, please call or schedule an appointment.
608-556-0776
Professional Violins
William Robert Scott began Scott Violins in 1985 and joined Scott Studios, Inc. in 2005, founded by his wife, Susan Scott. His interest in violin-making began in 1970 when he met Martin Bielke, a well-known bow-maker and repairman in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Attending his first VSA (Violin Society of America) Competition in 1980 at Hofstra University, New York he met Mr. Hans Weisshaar and in 1984 began working at the shop of Hans Weisshaar, Inc. in Los Angeles. Bill quickly gained access to great instruments of the classic masters and this apprenticeship helped him develop an eye for the important nuances of quality seen in these works.
Repairing and studying these fine instruments for the next couple years opened a new world of great beauty and craft which he has tried to capture since.
Maestro Alceste Bulfari is a master violin maker from Cremona, Italy. He taught at the Violin Making School from 1976 to 1979 after which he opened a workshop in Castelleone, Cremona.
Christopher Germain makes award-winning violins, violas, and cellos from his studio in Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Germain graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in 1985. From 1985 to 1991 he worked for the Chicago firms, Kenneth Warren & Son Ltd. and Bein and Fushi Inc., focusing on restorations of rare stringed instruments.
Mr. Germain has served as the President of The American Federation of Violin and Bowmakers as well at The Violin Society of America and has also served on the Governing Boards of both organizations.
Melanson pursued his passion for the arts, studying Art and Violin Performance, at the University of Lowell in Massachusetts. He then took courses at the University of Rhode Island to follow his skill in wood work, at the recommendation of one of his professors.
Of his 300 instruments, 14 have received awards from the Violin Society of America. His violins and cellos are known throughout the world and many are owned by famous soloists, members of major orchestras, and recording artists.
One of the finest luthiers working in Cremona today, Levaggi’s instruments are respected for their perfect workmanship and elegant tonal qualities. Before setting up his own workshop in the historic center of Cremona in 2001, he graduated from the Cremona School of Lutherie in 1984 where he studied with Vincenzo Bissolotti, among others, and then worked in Genoa with Carlson-Cacciatori-Neumann. He has won countless international prizes over the course of his career, and continues to perfect his craft.
Hippolyte Chrétien Silvestre was the nephew, pupil, and successor of Pierre and Hippolyte Silvestre in Lyons, and the son of Pierre and Hippolyte's sister. Initially trained in Mirecourt, he joined his uncles and took over the business in 1865. In 1884, he moved the shop to Paris, establishing it in the rue Faubourg-Poisonnière under the name 'Silvestre Neveau.' He formed a partnership with Ernest Maucotel, which was first called Silvestre & Maucotel and eventually became Maucotel et Descamp at 17 rue de Rome. Silvestre produced very fine copies of Stradivari and Guarneri, using excellent materials, often employing broad-grained spruce for the tables and applying a good red-brown varnish.
Fabienne Gauchet trained at the Newark School of Violin Making from where she graduated successfully in 1998. She continued her training through apprenticeships, mainly in France, her birth country. Established in Canada since 2000, she worked at Wilder & Davis luthiers for fifteen years.
Silvio Levaggi: One of the finest luthiers working in Cremona today, Levaggi’s instruments are respected for their perfect workmanship and elegant tonal qualities. Before setting up his own workshop in the historic center of Cremona in 2001, he graduated from the Cremona School of Lutherie in 1984 where he studied with Vincenzo Bissolotti, among others, and then worked in Genoa with Carlson-Cacciatori-Neumann. He has won countless international prizes over the course of his career, and continues to perfect his craft.
Anna Tartari: Anna Tartari trained at the Cremona International Violin Making School under the guidance of masters V. Bissolotti and G. Scolari, where she received her diploma in 1985. Over the years her instruments have been recognized internationally, winning several medals in International Violinmaking Competitions. In her workshop in Cremona, Anna makes violins and violas inspired by classic Cremonese and Italian school of violin making.
William Robert Scott began Scott Violins in 1985 and joined Scott Studios, Inc. in2005, founded by his wife, Susan Scott. His interest in violin-making began in 1970 when he met Martin Bielke, a well-known bow-maker and repairman in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Attending his first VSA (Violin Society of America) Competition in 1980 at Hofstra University, New York he met Mr. Hans Weisshaar and in 1984 began working at the shop of Hans Weisshaar, Inc. in Los Angeles. Bill quickly gained access to great instruments of the classic masters and this apprenticeship helped him develop an eye for the important nuances of quality seen in these works.
Repairing and studying these fine instruments for the next couple years opened a new world of great beauty and craft which he has tried to capture since.
Melanson pursued his passion for the arts, studying Art and Violin Performance, at the University of Lowell in Massachusetts. He then took courses at the University of Rhode Island to follow his skill in wood work, at the recommendation of one of his professors.
Of his 300 instruments, 14 have received awards from the Violin Society of America. His violins and cellos are known throughout the world and many are owned by famous soloists, members of major orchestras, and recording artists.
Maestro Alceste Bulfari is a master violin maker from Cremona, Italy. He taught at the Violin Making School from 1976 to 1979 after which he opened a workshop in Castelleone, Cremona.
Fabienne Gauchet: Fabienne Gauchet trained at the Newark School of Violin Making from where she graduated successfully in 1998. She continued her training through apprenticeships, mainly in France, her birth country. Established in Canada since 2000, she worked at Wilder & Davis luthiers for fifteen years.
Louis Gord: Gord graduated from the International Violin Making School of Mirecourt and continued his instruction in antique instrument restoration under Jérôme Doucet and Vatelot-Rampal.
Isabelle Wilbaux: With over 30 years of experience, Isabelle Wilbaux has crafted violins, violas, and cellos played by some of the world’s most distinguished musicians. Known for their power, warmth, and tonal beauty, her instruments are the result of thousands of hours of research, experimentation, and meticulous craftsmanship.
Guillaume Turgeom: Guillaume Turgeon is a luthier who makes string quartet instruments. His workshop, located in the heart of the Petite Patrie neighbourhood, is part of the Collectif Lutherie Montréal. This non-profit organization, which he helped found along with Fabienne Gauchet, Isabelle Wilbaux, and Louis Gord, brings together several luthiers and bow makers in shared spaces and aims to be a hub for contemporary lutherie.
Student-Level Violins
The violins shown are a special selection. For information on our entire inventory, please call or schedule an appointment.
608-556-0776
Jay Haide violins, violas, cellos, and basses have become a far greater success than we ever anticipated. Today they are sold through select violin shops all over the world, making the joys of playing a well made stringed instrument more accessible.
Jay Haide instruments are hand-made of quality seasoned maple and spruce and have a tone quality and workmanship normally found in more expensive instruments.
The Eastman workshop operates in precisely the same manner as late 19th century European workshops. Chisels, knives, and scrapers, in the hands of outstandingly gifted craftspeople, are the primary tools used to create these modern instruments.
These techniques impart each model with a beautiful voice and appearance that can only be achieved by hand. As in the shops of master luthiers for the past five hundred years, Eastman honors this tradition everyday.