Over the years, I have been guided and educated by many wonderful luthiers who have helped to shape the craftsman I am today. I feel such thanks and appreciation for all they did for me that I now feel the need to give back to the tradition of apprenticeship that I so greatly benefited from.

I am proud to announce that Ray Palmer has joined me in my Fayetteville, AR shop as my apprentice. While I will still be making instruments for my clients, he will assist me with certain functions as well as making his own instruments, which will be available for sale.  Ray’s instruments will be more affordable but will benefit from my guidance from start to finish.  As instruments become available photographs will be posted on this website and the instruments will be shipped for trial.   He will also accept commissions.  I am hoping that Ray will be able to make 4 or 5 instruments per year

Ray graduated from the Violin Making School of America, Salt Lake City, Utah in May 2007. In addition to his training in lutherie, he has studied the viola with Catherine Consiglio, Dr. Michael Kimber, and Dr. Spencer Martin.  He has also been a member of various civic orchestras, such as the Salt Lake City Symphony and the Topeka Symphony.  His education as a musician will bring an intimate knowledge of the instrument to his work. Additionally, his parents and brother are musicians; his mother is a violinist formerly with the Wichita Symphony, his father is a clarinetist, and his brother is a cellist.

Ray says "I see the role of the violin maker as being an assistant to musicians.  I would hope that they appreciate the aesthetic portion of my work, but my main concern is that the instruments I make, repair, or setup will allow them to express their musical voice.  I come to this profession from the perspective of a musician, which has definitely informed my view of lutherie."

His principal area of expertise is the viola and it will likely become his signature instrument. Please check back to this site as Ray's instruments will be pictured and offered for sale as they are completed.   He is currently working on a viola patterned on the Guarneri in the possession of Pinchas Zukerman.  It is 16 3/8” in length and is one of the finest sounding violas in existence. 

Click to view at larger size.

Pinchas Zukerman's Viola Click to view at larger size.

Click to view at larger size.