We operate from a point of compassion and service, vowing to do no harm and leave all instruments (and clients!) in a better state than when we encountered them.Payton Violins is here to help, guide, and advise as you grow your skills and sound. Whether you’re a beginner just getting started, an amateur player looking for an upgrade, or a professional looking for a bespoke precision instrument, we have the knowledge and expertise to make sure you’re getting an instrument perfectly suited for your abilities and musical goals.
Our exemplary team not only curates the finest instruments, but also helps fine-tune each instrument’s set up to ensure quality sound production and playability. We even go beyond the instrument itself, providing all the needed musical accessories to help you grow your skills.
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Services
Contemporary Originals
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Violin making has achieved new heights. The emergence of world-class violin making schools paired with our modern understanding of acoustics have led to many modern makers being able to achieve both projection and nuance. Payton Violins offers instruments from award winning violin and bow makers from across the globe.
Antique & Vintage Instruments
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Payton Violins specializes in finding special, older instruments worldwide and bringing them into peak condition and tone. We have an in-depth knowledge of historical makers, workshops and schools of making. With Payton Violins acoustics and restoration expertise, our customers can get a fine vintage European instruments in excellent condition.
Workshop Instruments
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Payton Violins has instruments from global workshops. These workshop instruments offer students access to properly set up instruments that ensure excellent, reliable playability at an affordable price. Featured workshops include Eastman Music Company, Heinrich Gil, Jay Haide, as well as bows from Arcos Brasil, L’Archet Brasil, and Codabow.
People
Sam Payton
Owner
Sam Payton has been specializing in creating instruments and bows for players of all levels for decades. Starting his career as a luthier in 2006, Sam has gained comprehensive experience working with Christopher Germain Violins, Mount Airy Violins & Bows, Fred Oster Violins, and Tarisio Fine Instruments & Bows, to name a few. From servicing the instruments of professional players to helping advanced students perform at a higher caliber, no detail is overlooked.
Danielle Payton
Owner
Danielle is the heart of Payton Violins, a calm and collected force that drives home all core values to customers. From treating everyone who walks through the door with integrity and respect to building trusted relationships with musicians and their families, Danielle is an embodiment of the heart and purpose behind Payton.
David Hauck
Retail Operations and Cello Sales Manager
David is a Rochester native who began playing the cello when he was eight years old. David had the pleasure of studying with Kathy Kemp of the RPO from 2004-2013, and renowned chamber musician Mimi Hwang from 2013-2017. He was a member of the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2013 and has had the privilege of touring and performing internationally in Ireland, Poland, and the Bahamas. Most notably, David has played with the Bahamas National Youth Choir and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
David attended Nazareth College and graduated in 2017 with a degree in Music Therapy. After completing his music therapy internship in 2018, he began working at Payton Violins and has since worked as the Manager of the Rental Department and Cello Sales. David finds great joy in inspiring the next generation of musicians and matching them with their perfect instrument.
David attended Nazareth College and graduated in 2017 with a degree in Music Therapy. After completing his music therapy internship in 2018, he began working at Payton Violins and has since worked as the Manager of the Rental Department and Cello Sales. David finds great joy in inspiring the next generation of musicians and matching them with their perfect instrument.
Greg Tracy
Associate Luthier
Greg is originally from Kansas City and grew up among a family of musicians. He got his start in the field during high school, learning violin making and repair from his uncle Ken Beckmann. He attended the Chicago School of Violin Making and, after graduating in 2014, returned home to continue working with his uncle and apprenticed with Amos Hargrave in Lawrence, Kansas. In 2015 he was offered a position at Triangle Strings in Raleigh, North Carolina working under Jerry Pasewicz. He has regularly attended the Oberlin Violin Restoration Program at Oberlin College, learning from some of the best restorers in the industry. Greg joined the Payton Violins team in 2018 and has enjoyed being able to work with great musicians in the Rochester area.
Andrew Khederian
Assistant Luthier
Andrew grew up in the Boston area and first started out playing the guitar. He became interested in the field of lutherie when he began working on his own guitars. He then attended and graduated from the North Bennet Street School. He brings over 10 years of experience in making and repairing string instruments. He has worked for several shops in the Northwest region and throughout the country, including Voss Violins in Atlanta. He has regularly attended the Oberlin Violin Restoration Program at Oberlin College. Andrew is very excited to join the team and go hiking in the surrounding Rochester area with his dog Ludo.
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Reviews (4)
Betsy Kubick
Jan 13, 2023
I recently had a bow repair and rehair done. Despite having just moved the previous weekend, they were able to complete the work in time for my performance that week. The work was done well and at a fair price. ( Work on instruments requires specialized materials and skills so it is never inexpensive.) I love the new location in the Anderson Arts building at 250 N Goodman St.
It is beautifully set up and the staff was welcoming. They had a spectacular array of instruments available. If you are in the market for a violin- family instrument, or need repair work done, I'd recommend that you consider them. As a bonus, they have the most adorable baby, who undoubtedly will be exposed to amazing music as she grows.
It is beautifully set up and the staff was welcoming. They had a spectacular array of instruments available. If you are in the market for a violin- family instrument, or need repair work done, I'd recommend that you consider them. As a bonus, they have the most adorable baby, who undoubtedly will be exposed to amazing music as she grows.
Anna Gasanova
Jun 11, 2022
Mollie Ducoste
Feb 25, 2018
Mark Rivet
Jan 28, 2018