Fine violins, restoration, and repair

About John F. Reed

Luthier John F. Reed is renowned for the artistry of his fine violins, violas, and cellos. From his workshops in Red Wing, Minnesota, and Buffalo City, Wisconsin, he makes several instruments each year and provides expert restoration, repair, and maintenance services for a variety of private clients.

John makes violins, violas, and cellos on request and has a number of instruments available. He also has several previously owned instruments available for sale.

John graduated from Winona State University with a music education/performance degree which gives him a unique advantage when it comes to set-up and tonal adjustments of handmade and student instruments.

He earned a degree in String Instrument Repair and Guitar Building from Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, where he later taught arched top instrument building for many years. He has apprenticed with David Folland (Northfield, MN) and collaborated with Peadar O’Loughlin (Ennis, Ireland) and James Beatley (Dublin, Ireland). John has also built prototype violins and mandolins in collaboration with McPherson Guitars.