Garrett Becker Violin Maker

Garrett Becker Violin Maker Violin Maker based out of Chicago, IL

09/12/2026

This violin is available now and ready to test out at our Chicago showroom! With how much time I put into each violin, I only have a few available throughout the year. Please email: info@johnkbeckercompany or call: (312)322-1020 to make an appointment

Brand new violin in the works, based on Stradivari’s ‘S’ form. Stradivari actually had two forms with the ‘S’ label. The...
09/03/2026

Brand new violin in the works, based on Stradivari’s ‘S’ form. Stradivari actually had two forms with the ‘S’ label. The first, from earlier in his career, was quite narrow and long. The second which is labeled 1703, has a wider C-bout section, good stop length, and isn’t overly long. The violin I’m making is based on the latter.

The violin I back-engineered this model from was well preserved, with great arching, and nice long elegant corners, and I’m excited to see how it progresses.

I always make two violins at a time. The other is the second iteration of my personal model. I completed the first one of its kind earlier this year, and it turned out surprisingly well.

Here are the scrolls of the violin in the previous post. I find the scroll to be one of the most difficult areas to tast...
06/10/2026

Here are the scrolls of the violin in the previous post. I find the scroll to be one of the most difficult areas to tastefully antique. With all the high points and different angles it can be easy to go too far too quickly. With my antiqued violins I like to create a patina that makes the instrument a little more approachable than my pristine violins, but still maintain the highest degree of precision and accuracy to what a new Cremonese violin would be like.

New violin off the bench. Was able to get these great photos before it left the shop thanks to my brother John who does...
06/09/2026

New violin off the bench. Was able to get these great photos before it left the shop thanks to my brother John who does all of the photography at our business

Stopped over at while I was briefly in Boston, can’t believe it’s been 13 years now since I graduated the program. It w...
05/28/2026

Stopped over at while I was briefly in Boston, can’t believe it’s been 13 years now since I graduated the program. It was great to see the new building and bring one of my recent fiddles to show and talk with the class. Roman is such a great teacher and being in the north end brought back so many memories.

Some scroll carving progress. I like to establish the bevel on the scroll sooner than later in the process, I find it ha...
05/05/2026

Some scroll carving progress. I like to establish the bevel on the scroll sooner than later in the process, I find it hard to see the real shape of the turns without it. Once I have the bevel started I go back and get everything closer to the final measurement.

04/25/2026

A time lapse of cutting out the first turn of the scroll





Finishing up some final F-hole details
03/06/2026

Finishing up some final F-hole details

02/26/2026

Really lucked out with this knot not showing through on the finished arch side. Not opposed to knots, but this long skinny one in particular is not very good looking. Shouldn’t be much left of it once this plate is at its final thickness.

About to start carving out the inside of these plates, really happy with how the purfing turned out on these.
02/19/2026

About to start carving out the inside of these plates, really happy with how the purfing turned out on these.

Address

410 S Michigan Avenue Suite 1021
Chicago, IL
60605

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

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