About Us
String players helping other string players sound their best.
At StringWorks, we believe every musician deserves an instrument that responds beautifully to their touch—from your first lesson to your finest performance.
The StringWorks Story: From Concert Halls to Your Home
At StringWorks, we believe that every musician—whether you're holding your first violin or preparing for Carnegie Hall—deserves access to the highest quality professional instrument setup. That's why we created the StringWorks Setup™and why we guarantee the finest handcrafted instruments at every performance level.
What started as a family-run violin shop in Wisconsin has grown into a global community of musicians, now headquartered in Geneva, Illinois. We're so confident that other companies simply can't compete on instrument quality and value - we guarantee it!
Read our verified Yelp reviews
Why StringWorks is Different: Our Core Principles
True Specialists in String Instruments
We focus exclusively on violins, violas, cellos, bows, and cases. No distractions from thousands of strings, stands, music, or gadgets. Just pure expertise in what matters most to your sound.
Transparent Pricing, No Games
- No haggling - straightforward pricing that always provides tremendous value
- No teacher kickbacks - we believe in fairness to students with full disclosure
- No inflated prices to allow for fake "discounts" or misleading "free shipping"
- Simply the best quality instruments, always fully carved, professionally setup, and tested by professional players
Decades of Professional Experience
Every person you communicate with at StringWorks has been playing their instrument for 25+ years on average. We're not just sellers - we're musicians who understand your journey because we've lived it.
Take a Virtual Tour of Our Geneva Showroom
Experience our violin, viola, and cello showrooms from anywhere in the world!
Located at 327 Franklin Street in historic downtown Geneva, Illinois (just 30 minutes west of Chicago)
___________________________________________________________________________
Meet Your Musical Partners: The StringWorks Team
Todd French - Founder & Artistic Director
Our founder's journey from Los Angeles Opera and Hollywood film studios to founding StringWorks reads like a musician's dream career:
- Professional Performance Experience: Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Hollywood major motion picture soundtrack recording, even occasional performances with Los Angeles Philharmonic
- Industry Expertise: Served as expert-in-charge of Musical Instruments at Butterfield & Butterfield auctioneers in Los Angeles as well as curator for the stringed musical instrument department at USC
- Educational Background: Undergratuate and graduate degrees in music
- Vision: Creating the world's most comprehensive instrument setup process at pricing everyone can afford
Our Expert Team
All StringWorks principals have college and/or graduate degrees in music and have performed at professional levels. When you call us, you're talking to musicians who understand your needs firsthand.
|
|
|
 Edith Samuelsson, Violin specialist
Workshop Assistant |
|
 Savannah Lisner-Johnson Shop Assistant, Viola Specialist |
Cello Specialist |
 Ollie Mecum, Shop Assistant
Viola Specialist
|
|
Serving Musicians Worldwide from Geneva, Illinois
Visit Our Showroom
Address: 327 Franklin Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134
Service Areas: Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, St. Charles, Batavia, Wheaton, and nationwide shipping
Shop Hours
- Phone & In-Person: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10-6
- Thursday: 10-6 (6-8 PM by appointment)
- Sunday & Monday: By appointment
- Parking: Spots 5, 6, 9, & 10 in rear lot reserved for our customers!
Can't Visit? No Problem!
Our free 14-day in-home trial and remote consultation services bring the StringWorks experience directly to you, anywhere in the world.
Member of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce since 2015
StringWorks in the Media
Featured Press Coverage:
- New York Times: "Across Many Miles, Word from the Top"
- Internet Cello Society: Exclusive interview with founder Todd French