S. R. Thomas Strings
My interest in woodworking first started in my high school woodshop, where I built various pieces of furniture. High school is also where my love of bluegrass music first took root.
I am a self-taught mandolin player, and when I decided to branch out to the fiddle, I bought a violin from eBay. It arrived in sorry condition and I set about attempting to repair it myself. That’s when I knew I wanted to make this my life’s work. The joy and satisfaction that producing something of quality craftsmanship is beyond compare. I use only top-quality wood and materials, and build every instrument by hand.
I was 24 when I discovered the Chicago School of Violin Making. I began my studies in January 2015 and graduated in August 2018. During my time at school, I started working for Peter Seman at Seman Violins, Skokie, IL, where I continue to work full-time today doing repairs, restoration, and set up on new and old instruments.
Although I am trained in the traditional building methods of bowed string instruments, I also enjoy making archtop guitars and mandolins, both bluegrass and Jazz style. In 2019 I received a Certificate of Tonal Achievement from the Violin Makers Association of Arizona International Competition, for cello.
Located: Chicago, Illinois USA
Professionally Selling: Since 2015
Studied With: Chicago School of Violin
Instrument Types: Mandolin , Archtop Guitar , Violin , Cello , Viola
