Samuel Payton
Violins • Violas • Cellos

Tradition. Technology. Transcendence.

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A Legacy Forged Among Legends

From Christopher Germain Violins, through Fred Oster in Philadelphia, to Head of Workshop at Tarisio Auctions—today in Rochester NY, Samuel Payton channels Amati, Stradivari & Guarneri into a new modern standard.

Advancement Through Iteration and Study

Every handcrafted violin by Samuel Payton is the product of years of focused research, hands-on experimentation, and collaboration with top players. As a modern violin maker deeply rooted in tradition, Samuel blends classic techniques with advanced tools like CT scans, structured light scanning, and precise acoustic measurement to understand and improve every element of the instrument.

This commitment to continuous improvement means each custom violin goes through multiple design iterations—shaped, tested, refined, and tested again. Samuel Payton gathers feedback directly from musicians, analyzing tone, response, and playability at every stage. From the initial carving to the final setup, no detail is left to chance.

When you commission a violin from Samuel Payton, you're not just purchasing an instrument—you’re becoming part of a process grounded in precision, creativity, and respect for the great violins of the past. The result is a fine violin with modern performance capabilities and timeless character, built to inspire for generations.

Antique Tonewoods

Taken To New Heights

Only the finest centuries-old spruce & maple, enhanced by thermal cycles & vacuum infusions, yielding harmonics beyond 18th-century masters.

Precise References

Molds and Templates, absolute accuracy.

Samuel is constantly refining and developing his molds and templates, advancing and developer greater instruments, in the same spirit as Stradivarius, but with tools and resources he couldn't dream of.