Philip Soltis is unique among violin makers. He was raised on a dairy farm in rural Minnesota, honorably served in the military, worked as an auto mechanic, and married a pianist from Japan. Philip and his wife nurtured their daughters on the violin. He found himself spellbound by the sound of string music filling their home. This love of strings nudged him into an apprentice position (year 2000) with the renowned luthier David Folland in Northfield, MN. Over the next 12 years , Philip honed his skills doing daily violin shop duties: flattening the plates, thinning out ribs, and roughing arches for fine string instruments under the tutelage of David Folland. In due course, Philip was guided, by Folland, to make instruments himself from start to finish.
In addition to his shop work, he attended summer violin making institutes at the VSA located in Oberlin. After a decade of practical experience and study, Philip became an independent luthier in 2012.
The violin being offered was made in 2012. The Soltis violin, with its light orange brown finish and masterful workmanship, is luxuriant and colorful in sound. The player will revel in the warmth, depth, and resonance of the violin while feeling the superlative ease of shifting, string crossing, and pulling beautiful tone with the bow.
Philip Soltis delights in creating an exceptional quality violin for serious young players and teachers that is affordable and will be cherished.