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

Fiddle Sabastian: Working the margins

Fiddle Sabastian: Working the margins… #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinSabastion #fiddleSabastion #violinmaker #luthier #cnc #cncviolinmaker #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #florida #northflorida #Georgia #luthier #firstcoast

April 11, 2019
Cello corner mishap… and abracadabra all is good again in wood

Cello corner mishap… and abracadabra all is good again in wood

April 11, 2019
Fiddle Jameson and Regina: Spinning in the Florida sunshine. Everyone enjoys spring break. Regina is going to the varnish workshop with the ground. Jameson is going finished to meet his person

Fiddle Jameson and Regina: Spinning in the Florida sunshine. Everyone enjoys spring break. Regina is going to the varnish workshop with the ground. Jameson is going finished to meet his person. #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinJameson #fiddlejamesen #violinRegina #violinmaker #luthier #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #florida #northflorida…

April 8, 2019
Sebastian: Here we go again. My next creation will be another 5-string viola/violin. There are two reasons: One, I like to repeat my successes. Repetition creates mastery. Two, While I was testing Jameson, my previous 5-string in the white a violinist came into the shop for some other work, tried Jameson and said, “I want one too.” So, Sebastian will be another 15 1/2 inch 5-string. That extra viola size just makes the lower C string reverberate, and the slightly smaller upper bouts provide the “violin” sound on the “A” and “E” treble side of the instrument

Sebastian: Here we go again. My next creation will be another 5-string viola/violin. There are two reasons: One, I like to repeat my successes. Repetition creates mastery. Two, While I was testing Jameson, my previous 5-string in the white a violinist came into the shop for some other work, tried Jameson and said, “I want…

March 28, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: Spinning in the ultraviolet light cabinet curing the varnish. It was windy today so Jameson will get his “sunning” inside. Also, the final fingerboard is on. Just a little bit of refinement on the neck and fingerboard and “construction” is done. Now several more varnish cycles and final setup

Fiddle Jameson: Spinning in the ultraviolet light cabinet curing the varnish. It was windy today so Jameson will get his “sunning” inside. Also, the final fingerboard is on. Just a little bit of refinement on the neck and fingerboard and “construction” is done. Now several more varnish cycles and final setup. #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle…

March 28, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: Base Cochineal two applications

Fiddle Jameson: Base Cochineal two applications… #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinJameson #fiddlejamesen #violinmaker #luthier #cnc #cncviolinmaker #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #florida #northflorida #Georgia #luthier

March 21, 2019
Cello corner repair

Cello corner repair #cello #luthier #restoration #violinmaker #jacksonville #florida

March 20, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: Step #5 of the balsam ground by Joe Robson at violinvarnish.com. One more application on Balsam ground varnish, then on to the Cochineal base varnish… How many coats??? It’s done when it’s right

Fiddle Jameson: Step #5 of the balsam ground by Joe Robson at violinvarnish.com. One more application on Balsam ground varnish, then on to the Cochineal base varnish… How many coats??? It’s done when it’s right…. #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinJameson #fiddlejamesen #violinmaker #luthier #cnc #cncviolinmaker #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic…

March 17, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: Jameson has been getting a bit of a suntan the past few days. I’ve also been tweaking the setup and playing him. My goal of a solid Viola “C” and a bright Violin “E” has been achieved. I can move the sound posts about and get a nice balance between that rich bass and brilliant treble. Playing is surprisingly easy! I’ve been working on the Bach Suite I on my viola and was able to practice the piece on the 5-string straight away, then I jumped to some Celtic tunes and had the high “E” for the B part of the tunes I’m practicing. Now final wood prep for the varnish bass coat, so all the setup gets taken down and its varnish time (But I can still set him up in short order to play around) Oh, another musician stopped in while “fiddling” around and tried Jameson out. Seems I’m adding another 5-string to my instrument list 🙂 Life is good

Fiddle Jameson: Jameson has been getting a bit of a suntan the past few days. I’ve also been tweaking the setup and playing him. My goal of a solid Viola “C” and a bright Violin “E” has been achieved. I can move the sound posts about and get a nice balance between that rich bass…

February 21, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: First playing with Oliver the cat supervising. Loving the range of this instrument, a rich full low C and a brilliant high E all in reach of the fingers. Gonna enjoy working the tones on this guy

Fiddle Jameson: First playing with Oliver the cat supervising. Loving the range of this instrument, a rich full low C and a brilliant high E all in reach of the fingers. Gonna enjoy working the tones on this guy:-). #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinJameson #fiddlejamesen #violinmaker #luthier #cnc #cncviolinmaker #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys…

February 13, 2019

Will’s Blog Posts:

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Fiddle Jameson: Tanning in my front yard. Getting some of those Florida UV rays. Today I made the tailpiece and button, tomorrow I’ll put the strings on and play this instrument. The fingerboard is a temporary. I’m not exactly sure what the radius will be with a 5-string, so once I play with this board, I’ll make an ebony one that works will with the 5-string viola/violin model#violinJameson#orchestra#brunswickga#jacksonville#jumusic#violinist#Georgia#chambermusic

Fiddle Jameson: Tanning in my front yard. Getting some of those Florida UV rays. Today I made the tailpiece and button, tomorrow I’ll put the strings on and play this instrument. The fingerboard is a temporary. I’m not exactly sure what the radius will be with a 5-string, so once I play with this board,…

February 13, 2019
turning in the tapers for the pegs

View this post on Instagram Fiddle Jameson: While turning the taper for the pegs I thought a poem on turning was in order: And how appropriate for our world today!! Turning to One Another There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking.…

February 12, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: While turning the taper for the pegs I thought a poem on turning was in order: And how appropriate for our world today!! Turning to One Another There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking. Notice what you care about. Assume that many others share your dreams. Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. Talk to people you know. Talk to people you don’t know. Talk to people you never talk to. Be intrigued by the differences you hear. Expect to be surprised. Treasure curiosity more than certainty. Invite in everybody who cares to work on what’s possible. Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something. Know that creative solutions come from new connections. Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know. Real listening always brings people closer together. Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world. Rely on human goodness. Stay together. Margaret Wheatley#violinJameson#orchestra#brunswickga#jacksonville#jumusic#violinist#Georgia#chambermusic

Fiddle Jameson: While turning the taper for the pegs I thought a poem on turning was in order: And how appropriate for our world today!! Turning to One Another There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking. Notice what you care about.…

February 11, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: neck set and glued in… I hope to play him in the white in the next few days… Anticipation on tone, playability, exciting

Fiddle Jameson: neck set and glued in… I hope to play him in the white in the next few days… Anticipation on tone, playability, exciting #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinJameson #fiddlejamesen #violinmaker #luthier #cnc #cncviolinmaker #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench #violinist #symphony #florida #northflorida #Georgia #luthier #whatsonmybench #chambermusic…

February 11, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: almost there

Fiddle Jameson: almost there! #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle #violinJameson #fiddlejamesen #violinmaker #luthier #cnc #cncviolinmaker #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland

February 6, 2019
Jameson: Body Glued

View this post on Instagram Fiddle Jameson: Body glued up. Sound holes cut and trimmed, bass bar glued and trimmed, inside edges of plates rounded slightly. It's easier to do the insides edges before the plates are glued. They will still need work once the body is together, but it's nice to get a start…

February 5, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: Body glued up. Sound holes cut and trimmed, bass bar glued and trimmed, inside edges of plates rounded slightly. It’s easier to do the insides edges before the plates are glued. They will still need work once the body is together, but it’s nice to get a start when you have some working room

Fiddle Jameson: Body glued up. Sound holes cut and trimmed, bass bar glued and trimmed, inside edges of plates rounded slightly. It’s easier to do the insides edges before the plates are glued. They will still need work once the body is together, but it’s nice to get a start when you have some working…

February 4, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: Trimming the linings. A Unicorn horn! Wood gives us such natural wonders. “Nature is what we know – Yet have not art to say – So impotent our wisdom is To her simplicity.” Emily Dickinson#violinJameson#orchestra#brunswickga#jacksonville#jumusic#violinist#Georgia#chambermusic

Fiddle Jameson: Trimming the linings. A Unicorn horn! Wood gives us such natural wonders. “Nature is what we know – Yet have not art to say – So impotent our wisdom is To her simplicity.” Emily Dickinson #violin #viola #fiddle #5stringfiddle#violinJameson #fiddlejamesen #violinmaker #luthier #cnc #cncviolinmaker#orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland#brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys#jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic#jumusic #luthier #whatsonmybench#violinist #symphony…

February 1, 2019
Fiddle Jameson: The Scroll is carved and now I’m putting a temporary fingerboard on the neck for setting the neck to the body. I’ve designed the fingerboard a bit wider than normal and with a bit higher radius. My thinking is that with 5 strings the player will need a bit more height on the bridge to get optimum string clearance. I plan to go all the way through the setup with temporary fingerboards and experiment with the best radius and bridge profile. There is nothing like actually playing the instrument to see how it feels. Then once the temporary setup works, we can add a real ebony fingerboard with the correct nut width, radius and bridge profile#violinJameson#orchestra#brunswickga#jacksonville#jumusic#violinist#Georgia#chambermusic

Fiddle Jameson: The Scroll is carved and now I’m putting a temporary fingerboard on the neck for setting the neck to the body. I’ve designed the fingerboard a bit wider than normal and with a bit higher radius. My thinking is that with 5 strings the player will need a bit more height on the…

January 31, 2019
Violin Jameson: Scroll carving with my bench cat

Violin Jameson: Scroll carving with my bench cat. #orchestra #fernandinabeach #ameliaisland #brunswickga #staugustine #stmarys #jacksonville #jaxsymphony #unfmusic #jumusic #luthier #violinmaker #whatsonmybench #violinist #symphony #florida #Georgia #luthier #whatsonmybench #violin #chambermusic #violinjameson #violinist

January 29, 2019