Services

New Making

Careful craftsmanship and an obsession with the long history of violin making. These are the factors that drive the making of Jonathon Price.

 

Repair & Restorations

Restoration practices are of the very highest quality, precision and craftsmanship, balancing forward thinking with tradition and conservation.

 

Sales

We also have a limited collection of hand-selected student instruments and bows for sale. Contact us to schedule an appointment to try these out.

 

Bow Services

Additionally we offer typical bow services including rehair, repair, and restoration.

About the Maker

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Shortly after starting violin lessons, Jonathon’s grandfather queued up a Stéphane Grappelli record and said, “If you are going to play violin, you need to hear this!” Instantly, Jonathan was hooked on the instrument. The life long obsession with the instrument and music in general was further nurtured as a vocational music student at Detroit’s CASS Technical High School, graduating in 1996. Through high school, Jon worked at a local violin shop. This is where the thought of violin making as career took seed. Even after high school, Jon had a couple of jobs that foreshadowed his future path including a position at a furniture store doing assembly and finish work. However, one of the most influential work experiences proved to be at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan, where he met violin maker Brian Bishop. Brian with his natural teaching skills had encouraged and helped Jon make his very first violin.

In 2002 Jonathon moved to Presque Isle, Wisconsin to study with master maker Brian Derber at the New World School of Violin Making (former instructor at Chicago School of Violin Making). Along with emphasis on tool making, maintenance, and use, Mr. Derber, focused on form and the history of violin making. Jon graduated violin making school in 2005.

Since graduating in 2005, Jonathon has moved back to the Detroit area to work at a prominent shop in the midwest. During the next 12 years, he had been diligent in honing his skills in repair, restoration, and setup on violins, violas, cellos. Additionally, he had the wonderful opportunity to see some fine antique instruments by famous makers as well as meet some prominent contemporary makers from around the world. During his tenure at the shop, Jon had been making and selling violins internationally to accomplished students and prominent professionals.

Jon recently left his position as full time workshop manager in 2017. His experience and devotion to further mastering his craft led him to open his own shop to better serve customers and develop strong relationships with the musicians. To offer prompt, reliable, and reasonable services as well as having more time to make instruments.

In addition to being an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Jonathon enjoys a rich and full life with his talented wife raising their four beautiful children. When not in the shop, he enjoys gardening, hiking with his children, and volunteering at the school.

Testimonials

“Besides its being beautifully and meticulously crafted, the thing I love most about my Jon Price violin is its versatility. On the one hand, it’s very resonant—apt for playing Romantic concerti or virtuosic solo works in medium-to-large spaces. But it’s not only great for these types of performances: the violin can also have a very subtle sound, perfect for smaller, more intimate settings, as when I’m playing chamber music or Baroque and early-Classical pieces. I wanted and instrument that could do anything well, and I found that in this violin.” -Ari Korotkin

 

“I was fortunate enough to have met Jon while working at Psarianos Violins, and, after having worked with him for several years and witnessing firsthand his skill as both a luthier and repairman, as well as the passion and care he infuses into all of his work, I knew that he was exactly the right person to make a viola for me. Jon took into account both my body structure and the type of playing I would be doing, and he consulted and updated me every step of the way. In the end, he created a beautiful instrument which has perfectly suited me and my musical needs, and he has continued to be there for me for any sort of necessary adjustment or maintenance. I am continually complemented on its tone and depth of sound, and I couldn’t be any happier with this incredible viola.” -Kathy Blanchard

Photo Credit: Carolyn Nishon

 

“There comes a time in every violinists life that your student violin is not going to cut it anymore. This realization came to me when I was studying violin in university. My violin teacher suggested that no amount of practicing would make the current sound of my violin any better..my quest began! I tried a number of different violins..new, old, and everything in between. I quickly became overwhelmed with the choices as I liked different qualities about each violin I tried. When I first picked up the Jonathon Price fiddle I knew there was no going back. I played one D Major scale and was sold! It was as if this violin was made especially for me. I had a lot of instruments to choose from but this new instrument really stood out from all the rest. Jonathon Price is very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. If you are seriously looking for an upgrade I would highly recommend trying one of Jonathon’s violins.” -Victoria Turner

 

“I first met Jonathon Price at a gig he played for the band Steppin’ In It. After the gig, I talked to him a bit and found out he was playing a fiddle he made himself. He let me try it and I was impressed! Several years later in 2012, when Jonathon was working at Psarianos Violins, I learned he had one his own newly-made violins for sale. After trying it, it was an easy decision to buy it. His violin has been my constant companion through playing with the Motor City Sidestrokers and at the Michigan Renaissance Festival ever since.” -Bob Mariotti

Contact Information

Jonathon Price – Violin Maker
Clawson, Michigan
(248) 765-9517
jipviolins@gmail.com

Available by Appointment Only