Howery Violins

Welcome to Howery Violins.

Will Howery is a violinmaker and luthier working and living on Amelia Island. He also plays violin with the Amelia Island String Ensemble.

Hand crafted Violins and Violas direct from the maker that you can afford. Please look at the Rental/Purchase information!

My Violin Studio is at my residence. When you plan to visit, please make an appointment via The Shop Appointment Calendar. Thank You.

Will’s Blogs

Violin Edward, I’m thinking one more very thin coat with some lamp black and he is ready to setup

Violin Edward, I’m thinking one more very thin coat with some lamp black and he is ready to setup. #saintaugustine #savannah #brunswick #stmarys #jacksonville #ameliaisland #violinmaker #violin #violinist #luthier #violinedward #fernandinabeach

June 28, 2016
Violin Ivan, ready for setup

Violin Ivan, ready for setup #violinivan #luthier #violinmaker #violin #violinist #ameliaisland #fernandinabeach #jacksonville #stmarys #brunswick #savannah #saintaugustine

June 28, 2016
I’m a better carver than a 3D modeler, also I like carving more, a lot more. I built this simple 3D probe for my CNC machine. Now a little programming, also better at that than 3D modeling, and I can scan parts to make them on the CNC as a router. Now I’ll have custom chin rest, pegs, tail pieces; not to mention roughed out plates and necks. My goal is to reduce the rough carving and focus on the delicate work that requires a skilled craftsman

I’m a better carver than a 3D modeler, also I like carving more, a lot more. I built this simple 3D probe for my CNC machine. Now a little programming, also better at that than 3D modeling, and I can scan parts to make them on the CNC as a router. Now I’ll have custom…

June 12, 2016
Gluing the fingerboard onto Ivan, Violin number nine

Gluing the fingerboard onto Ivan, Violin number nine. #violin #violinivan #ameliaisland #fernandinabeach #brunswick #savannah #saintaugustine #luthier #violinmaker

June 6, 2016
Juliet, initial set up done. Now let the strings settle a little bit, adjust the bridge and sound post a bit more and I’m ready to play

Juliet, initial set up done. Now let the strings settle a little bit, adjust the bridge and sound post a bit more and I’m ready to play. #violinmaker #luthier #jacksonville #stmarys #savannah #violinjuliet #brunswick #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland

May 27, 2016
Juliet getting her fingerboard put back on after varnishing. Set up should be done today and hopefully I will be playing Juliet in my chamber group tomorrow

Juliet getting her fingerboard put back on after varnishing. Set up should be done today and hopefully I will be playing Juliet in my chamber group tomorrow. #violinjuliet #violinmaker #violinmaker #luthier #jacksonville #stmarys #savannah #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswick

May 27, 2016
Oliver, my official catgut companion

Oliver, my official catgut companion😊 #violin #violinmaker #luthier #jacksonville #stmarys #savannah

May 13, 2016
Hogging out the maple backplate

Hogging out the maple backplate. #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #violinkarl #violinmaker #luthier #savannah #stmarys #jacksonville #staugustine #brunswick

May 13, 2016
Amelia Island String Ensemble inaugural performance : Handle’s water music suite

Amelia Island String Ensemble inaugural performance : Handle’s water music suite. #violin #viola #cello #chambermusic #ameliaisland #fernandinabeach

May 7, 2016
Cutting the purfling groove

Cutting the purfling groove. #violinkarl #violin #violinmaker #luthier #ameliaisland #jacksonville #stmarys #savannah #saintaugustine #kingsland

May 3, 2016

Will’s Blog Posts:

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More Varnish

View this post on Instagram Ruby: Stradivarius base Varnish. Getting there:-) A post shared by William Howery (@howeryviolins) on Oct 30, 2020 at 8:00am PDT

October 30, 2020
Sebastian: the medullary rays of the maple enhanced with the Greek Pitch gold.

Sebastian: the medullary rays of the maple enhanced with the Greek Pitch gold.

November 21, 2019
Violin Tatiana: Back linings glued in… Step by step Rubber bands and clothes pins. Kind of like bailing wire and bubble gum from my farm family background. Not pretty, but gets the job done 🙂 Pretty will come later for Tatiana

Violin Tatiana: Back linings glued in… Step by step Rubber bands and clothes pins. Kind of like bailing wire and bubble gum from my farm family background. Not pretty, but gets the job done 🙂 Pretty will come later for Tatiana!! #violin #violinTatiana #howeryviolins #violinmaker #luthier #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic…

November 16, 2019
Violin Tatiana: Power out this morning. I’m amazed that Stradivarius could work with out bright lights, and with eyes that were 80-90 years old

Violin Tatiana: Power out this morning. I’m amazed that Stradivarius could work with out bright lights, and with eyes that were 80-90 years old…. #violin #violinTatiana #howeryviolins #violinmaker #luthier #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #florida

November 14, 2019
I took Sebastian out for some BLUEGRASS music last evening at Woody’s BBQ on S R 200, Fernandina Beach, near Lowe’s. We had a great time! (He has the balsam ground on, so the wood is protected. I like to play an instrument in the white a bit be form applying the full color varnish).

I took Sebastian out for some BLUEGRASS music last evening at Woody’s BBQ on S R 200, Fernandina Beach, near Lowe’s. We had a great time! (He has the balsam ground on, so the wood is protected. I like to play an instrument in the white a bit be form applying the full color varnish).

November 12, 2019
Violin Tatiana: she is starting to take shape

Violin Tatiana: she is starting to take shape:) #violin #violinTatiana #howeryviolins #violinmaker #luthier #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #florida

November 11, 2019
Sebastian: I played Sebastian tonight for the first time. Sebastian spoke. Sebastian sang. My ears smiled. My soul soared

Sebastian: I played Sebastian tonight for the first time. Sebastian spoke. Sebastian sang. My ears smiled. My soul soared. #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinSebastion #howeryviolins #violinmaker #luthier #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #florida #northflorida #Georgia #firstcoast #varnish #violinvarnish #groundvarnish #violingroundvarnish #balsamground

November 7, 2019
Sebastian: Balsam Ground through #4. It makes the maple jump

Sebastian: Balsam Ground through #4. It makes the maple jump!! #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinSebastion #howeryviolins #violinmaker #luthier #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #florida #northflorida #Georgia #firstcoast #varnish #violinvarnish #groundvarnish #violingroundvarnish #balsamground

October 14, 2019
Regina, Dry brush finish.

Regina, Dry brush finish.

September 19, 2019
Sebastian: Step 2(C) in the Balsam Ground process, Adding Aged Wood Grey Green. Old wood that has been handled by many hands turns a greyish green color. I”ll say that It looks much better than it sounds. Since Sebastian will be antiqued we want to have the areas where the wood will be worn to present with natural looking color and texture. I will build in a Grey Green color on the wear spots which will give credence the final antiqued appearance. I’ve laid out a map of the intended wear areas of the instrument and will shade these with the Aged Wood Color Grey Green. The Edges always wear before the rest of the instrument. They also take the most handling, bumping etc. While the whole instrument gets a good dry brush to clean any fuzzies and press in the balsam resins, the edges also get a burnished to compress the grain, and simulate a well handled appearance. I’m using a hard plastic bench clamping dog. Joe uses an ebony piano key. It either case, the burnisher is harder than the wood to press and wear as a had would over many many years. The edges then get a nice brushing of the #2 Grey Green. Mixing ratios 1:4 Balsam Ground Preparation #2 2g, Everclear Alcohol 8g, Aged Wood Color Grey Green 2-3g, Apply the Grey Green from the center of the wear area, feathering out. Use a small brush to avoid simply making a large wash. Apply several times until you start to see the shading take place. More light coats are easier to control than heavy coats

Sebastian: Step 2(C) in the Balsam Ground process, Adding Aged Wood Grey Green. Old wood that has been handled by many hands turns a greyish green color. I”ll say that It looks much better than it sounds. Since Sebastian will be antiqued we want to have the areas where the wood will be worn to…

September 16, 2019