• Violin repair services in US, Florida by Rutman's Violins

    Expert Violin Making, Repair & Bow Rehair Services in Florida – Rutman’s Violins, North Port

    At Rutman’s Violins, we specialize in violin making, professional violin repair, restoration, and bow rehair services for musicians across North Port, Sarasota, Venice, and Southwest Florida. Our master luthiers bring decades of experience to ensure your instrument sounds its best and maintains its beauty for years to com.

About Rutman’s Violins

Decades of Trusted Violin Repair & Restoration Expertise

At Rutman’s Violins, we take pride in offering violin making, high-quality violin repair, restoration and bow rehair services for musicians across North Port, Sarasota, Venice, and all of Southwest Florida.

With over 30 years of luthier experience, our workshop combines traditional craftsmanship with modern precision to ensure your violin produces the richest tone and perfect playability.

Whether you are a beginner, a professional musician, or an orchestra performer, we handle everything from simple setup adjustments and bridge replacements to full restorations of antique and rare instruments.

Our mission is to preserve the beauty and sound of every violin we service, helping musicians enjoy their instruments for generations.

Our Violin Services

Professional Violin Repair, Restoration & Bow Rehair

At Rutman’s Violins, we provide a complete range of violin care services for musicians of all levels across North Port and Southwest Florida. From precision setups and bridge adjustments to full restorations and expert bow rehairing, our luthiers ensure your instrument delivers exceptional tone, comfort, and longevity.

Book Your Service

Violin Repair Services Florida

Violin Repair Services

Restore your violin’s tone and playability with our professional violin repair in North Port, FL. We handle everything from crack repairs and seam fixes to peg and fine tuner adjustments, ensuring your instrument sounds its best.

Violin Restoration for Antique & Rare Instruments

Preserve the value and beauty of antique violins with our expert restoration services in Southwest Florida. Our luthiers use traditional techniques to bring historic instruments back to life while maintaining their originality.

Bow Rehair & Maintenance

Bow Rehair & Maintenance

Keep your bow performing flawlessly with precision bow rehairing and maintenance. Serving Sarasota, Venice, and North Port, we ensure your bow delivers smooth, consistent performance for every practice and performance.

Violin Setup & Sound Optimization

Get the perfect tone and response with a custom violin setup. Our experts adjust bridges, soundposts, and strings to optimize your instrument’s sound quality and playability for your style.

Fingerboard, Nut & Peg Adjustments

Ensure smooth playability and tuning stability with our precision fingerboard planing, nut shaping, and peg fitting services. Ideal for students and professional players across Southwest Florida.

Professional Violin Appraisals & Consultations

Need to determine the value of your violin? We provide expert appraisals and consultations for insurance, sales, and personal collections, trusted by musicians in North Port and the surrounding Florida areas

Instruments made by Ilya Rutman

Custom Violin Making & Restoration Services in Florida / USA

Master Violin Maker in Florida – Handcrafted Instruments, Not Rebranded Imports

At Rutman’s Violins Florida, we are proud to be the only violin shop in Florida – and one of the very few in the entire USA – where violins are truly hand-crafted from start to finish. Unlike many retailers who simply import factory-made instruments and place their label on them, Master Luthier Ilya Rutman personally builds each violin, ensuring unmatched quality, sound, and authenticity. With over 30 years of professional violin making and restoration experience, we also provide expert bow rehairing, structural repairs, and tonal adjustments. Musicians across Florida and the United States trust Rutman’s Violins for instruments that are not only beautiful but also deliver concert-level performance.

I1339

Violin made in 2009

I1339 Violin made in 2012

Violin made in 2014

I1512 Violin made in 2016

I1461 Violin made in 2014

I1513 Violin made in 2024
#48 7/8 size 2025

Essential Care for Your Violin

Laubach Rosin, Cleaner & Polish – Premium Care Products for Violins, Violas and Cellos

To keep your violin sounding its best, proper care is just as important as expert craftsmanship. At Rutman’s Violins Florida, we recommend and provide Laubach Rosin for a smooth, balanced tone, along with high-quality violin cleaner and polish to protect your instrument’s finish and preserve its beauty. Trusted by professional musicians worldwide, these care products ensure your violin maintains both its sound and appearance for years to come.

Laubach Cello Gold Rosin

price: $33.00

Laubach Violin / Viola Gold Rosin

price: $33.00

Laubach Cleaner / Polisher

price: $19.99

Laubach Violin / Viola Rosin Solo

price: $25.60

Laubach Cello Rosin Solo

price: $25.60

Jeffrey Fabisiak
23:11 31 May 25
I found Master Luthier Rutman an exceptionally excellent bow rehairman,with a good choice of very fine horse hair,very open, and obliging to my preferences giving very wise advice also.
So I really trust him cleaning and rehairing high quality French Bows,and esp.my fine Hill Bow.
He showed me how experienced he is in his fine art of cleaning,reclosing with glue,and revarnishing my Roger and Max Millant violin.
His very precise measurements of setting up a high quality bridge and repairing my Charotte violin show by playing and hearing the wonderful improvement in it's sound production.
Thank you very much and he also did some fine repair on my beautiful Bam violin cases.
Yours truly,
Turin,Italy Violin Orchestra
Prof Jeffrey R.Fabisiak
PS His work compares to the highest quality of famous violin luthiers from Cremona,Italy.
Troy Womack
19:21 03 May 25
I found myself needing a luthier and was lucky enough to find one within driving distance (not living in a metropolitan area). He has a fantastic ear, and a lifetime of experience. He addressed issues that were far too small for me to even notice. I highly recommend him.
Amanda Perkins
20:50 19 Nov 24
Great Luthier and Glad he is local!
Was able to get my bridge adjusted, same day, at a low price and learn new things too.
Highly recommend for a thorough evaluation of your instrument.
David Conklin
14:26 17 May 24
Meticulous work!
Sharon S. Butler
13:08 15 Apr 22
What an incredible gem! I have searched all over for a professional luthier/violinmaker who could meet my expectations for decades and Ilya is absolutely stellar!!! I am ecstatic to have found him and feel privileged to have met him. He even tunes my Bosendorfer parlor grand! Ilya has the most incredibly discerning ear I have ever encountered! Artistic talent of this caliber is a rarity. Ilya is a true gem!
5.0
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Reputation & Client Feedback

A 2008 profile in Boston Magazine (on-site in Boston) highlighted Rutman’s popularity among students and professionals alike, emphasizing meticulous craft and friendly service:

“My job is to make sure that everybody leaves the shop happy…”

On music forums like Reddit, Rutman’s is frequently cited by Boston-area musicians as one of the top choices for serious repairs – particularly for orchestral players and conservatory students. One comment noted:

“They service professional violinist that play for the BSO and Pops”

While not ubiquitous in online review directories, past clients commend the personalized approach and attention to detail. One reviewer called us “absolutely stellar!” and praised our discerning ear.

Local Expert for Violin Care in North Port, Sarasota, Venice, and Southwest Florida

FAQ

Popular Questions About Rutman’s Violins Quality & Services

Rutman’s Violins provides expert repair and restoration services, including crack repairs, bridge and soundpost adjustments, fingerboard refinishing, bow rehairing, varnish touch-ups, and complete violin setups to ensure optimal sound quality.

The luthiers at Rutman’s Violins have decades of experience serving professional musicians and orchestras, ensuring skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail in every repair or restoration project.

Yes, Rutman’s Violins offers professional appraisal services to help musicians and collectors determine the value and authenticity of their instruments.

Repair times vary depending on the service, but most common repairs and bow rehairing are completed within a few days to a week. Customers can contact Rutman’s Violins directly for specific timelines.

Absolutely. Rutman’s Violins specializes in handling valuable, antique, and rare instruments with the utmost care, using traditional methods to preserve the instrument’s integrity and sound quality.

Violins are typically valuable if they are crafted by renowned luthiers, are antique, or have historical significance. Instruments from famous makers like Stradivari, Guarneri, or Amati can be worth millions. However, modern violins by skilled makers can also hold significant value if they are well-crafted and in excellent condition.

Today, some of the best violins are made by modern luthiers such as Sam Zygmuntowicz, Joseph Curtin, and Gregg Alf. These contemporary makers produce instruments that are highly sought after by professional musicians and collectors

Cheap violins can be good for beginners or casual players if they are properly set up. While they won’t match the sound or craftsmanship of high-end instruments, brands that focus on student violins can provide a decent start. A professional setup often makes a big difference in playability and tone.

A violin’s value depends on its maker, age, craftsmanship, and condition. Signs of value include a label from a known luthier, hand-crafted details, and high-quality wood. For an accurate assessment, it’s best to have the violin appraised by a professional luthier or dealer.

For modern production violins, popular and reliable brands include Yamaha, Scott Cao, Eastman, and Fiddlerman for beginners to intermediate players. For professional instruments, handcrafted violins from independent luthiers are usually preferred over mass-produced brands.

A good quality violin will have:

  • Rich, balanced sound across all strings
  • Smooth, comfortable playability
  • High-quality wood like spruce and maple
  • Attention to craftsmanship and clean finishing details

Trying the instrument in person and getting advice from a teacher or luthier is the best way to judge quality.

Niccolò Paganini is often regarded as the most legendary violinist in history due to his virtuosic technique. Other greats include Jascha Heifetz, Itzhak Perlman, and Hilary Hahn, each celebrated for their extraordinary skill and influence on the violin world.

Historically, Italy is known for producing the world’s finest violins, particularly from Cremona, where Stradivari and Guarneri crafted their instruments. Today, excellent violins also come from Germany, France, the United States, and China, depending on the maker and level of craftsmanship.

Contact Rutman’s Violins

Get a Violin Repair Estimate in North Port, FL

Have a violin or bow that needs repair or restoration? Send us a message or upload clear photos of your instrument to receive an accurate repair estimate. Our team proudly serves North Port, Sarasota, Venice, and all of Southwest Florida, ensuring professional care for every violin.

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