General Info

Amos Hargrave studied violin making at the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City from 1974 until his graduation in 1977. His teachers were Paul Hart and Peter Prier. He also worked in the repair and restoration workshop of Peter Prier Inc. from 1975, and after graduating served as shop foreman until 1979. In 1979, Amos accepted a position at Jacques Francais Rare Violins Inc. in New York, where he worked in the restoration department for three years under the guidance of Rene Morel. Since opening his own shop first in Charlotte, N.C. in 1983, Amos has produced many fine violins, violas, and cellos patterned after and inspired by work of the best old Italian makers. In addition, his workshop has become well known for professional maintenance, repair, and restoration work for musicians and fine instrument owners nationwide. As a recipient of four gold medals in international competitions for violin making, Amos was awarded the “Hors Concours” distinction by the Violin Society of America in 1984. He has served as a workmanship judge for international stringed instrument making competitions on six occasions (for the Violin Society of America in ’86 and ’96, and for the International Society of Bassists in ’03, ’05, ’07, and ’09.) He was elected to full membership in the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers in 1986. In the greater Kansas City area since 1996 and with his now expanded workshop in Lawrence since 2001, Amos continues to offer his work and expertise to the string community, and in addition to offering his own hand crafted instruments, Amos maintains a select stock of contemporary and antique instruments and bows for sale to musicians.