The Grand Rapids Violins workbench at last light — two reclaimed-wood benches, instruments hung in the window, a shop lamp, late-afternoon window light.

By appointment · Cascade, Grand Rapids

You spend countless hours on your technique.
We do too.

A full-service bench for violin, viola, cello & double bass — makers and restorers who play the instruments they build.

Book an appointment (616) 288-5384
Shop photo · Grand Rapids Violins (Google)

The bench

A full-service bench for violin, viola, cello & bass.

Everything a player needs in one shop — and the makers on the bench are players themselves.

The mark

A hand-carved, backlit maple violin bridge stamped “M. P. Noykos,” glowing amber.

Every instrument we make
and restore carries our hand.

M. P. Noykos

A house-made bridge, signed at the bench — the same care goes into a setup, a crack repair, or a sound adjustment.

Up close

The work, in detail

An f-hole cut into a violin top, the bridge foot resting alongside it.
F-hole & bridge fit
A cracked lower bout near the neck heel, mid-restoration.
Crack repair, lower bout
The flamed-maple back of a cello, deep varnish grain in window light.
Varnish grain, cello back
The rib and edge of a violin, varnish catching the light.
Rib & edge
A close f-hole detail with the maker's interior label visible through it.
Maker's label, through the f-hole
The neck heel and button of a violin where the neck joins the body.
Neck & button join
The lower rib and corner of an instrument under restoration.
Corner & lower rib
The flamed back of a bass with re-touched varnish across a repaired seam.
Seam & retouch, bass back

The makers

String players on the bench — not just luthiers.

Matthew Noykos carving a violin top plate with a chisel, wood shavings on the bench.
Matthew Noykos Co-owner · VSA 2018 Certificate of Merit for Tone
Kevin Flannery at his bench applying finish to an instrument, smiling.
Kevin Flannery Co-owner · Grand Rapids Symphony · making since 1981
Robert Johnson working on the pegbox of a violin at the bench.
Robert Johnson Bass specialist · GR Symphony · doctorate, MSU

What players say

“GR Violins is a terrific place.” — Caroline Freihofer, via Facebook
VSA 2018 Certificate of Merit Amer. Federation of Violin & Bow Makers Violin Making School of America Grand Rapids Symphony on the bench

More from our clients coming soon — owner to add a few words from players we’ve worked with.

100% recommend us on Facebook
(9 reviews)

Plan your visit

Bring us your instrument.

Tell us what you play and what you need — we’ll set up a time at the bench.

Book an appointment (616) 288-5384

By appointment · Tue–Thu 10–5 · Sat 10–3