Bluett Bros. Violins

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About Bluett Brothers Violins It's hard to believe that Bluett Bros. Violins will celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2004. We've come a long way since our first "shop" in Mark's brother's dining room! After several locations where we rented space, we were able to purchase our current site at 122 Hill St. York, PA. in 2001. We hope this is our last and permanent home! We are a family business in the truest sense of the term. Mark is the artist/creator and does all of the luthery and sales. When you call with questions or advice you actually talk with the person doing the work. ( How's that for a refreshing change?! ) I, ( Mark's wife, Karen ) am the business/detail person. I concentrate on the billing, shop upkeep, advertising and website communication. Our two sons, Zach ( 14 ) and Cody ( 10 ) are both musicians. Zach has played the violin since age 4 and Cody started the mandolin 3 years ago. They help out in the shop as needed and like to create their own projects in the workshop when allowed. When Mark is not building instruments, he's coaching baseball for the boys. As a native of Baltimore, he is a die-hard Orioles fan! Mark is a prodigious maker having just completed his 200th violin. A Bluett violin is a creative combination of both the Guarnarius and Stradivarius styles. It gives the player both the boldness and volume of the Guarnarius while keeping the sweet tone known to the Strad. As mandolins have gained popularity, Bluett F4 and F5 styles have become sought after. Mark has perfected the combination of a deep tone, volume and "the chop" to meet the standards of some of the finest mandolin players in the world. Mark's concentration on the carved instruments has resulted in a growing list of satisfied musicians, both bluegrass and classical. Another passion of Mark's is to teach the art of luthery. He offers several types of apprentice programs tailored to meet the individual ( adult ) student's needs. Mark feels strongly about the need to continue the art of hand making instruments and loves the teaching process. On any given day there are 1 to 4 students working on various stages of their instruments. Mark also travels to local schools and organiztions to conduct presentations on stringed instruments and luthery. Field trips to Bluett Bros. Violins are common occurences for schools, Brownie Troops and our youngest pre-school friends in the York area.