Joseph Thrift was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to a musical family.
His father was a pipe organ builder. In the early 1970's, after building several small
instruments, he apprenticed to a local guitar maker, visited as many makers as he could
find, and developed a passion for the instrument making craft.
In 1976 Joe was accepted to attend the Newark School Of Violin Making in Newark-on-Trent
England. It was in these early years that he developed a close relationship with Roger
Hargrave and Julie Reed-Yeboah, now both accomplished violin makers. The graduating class
of 1979 produced many great makers. After graduation he returned to the states and opened
a violin shop in NC where he made, repaired and restored violins, violas and cellos.
Joe has traveled to Germany many times over recent years to renew his working association
with his friend Roger Hargrave. Through Hargrave's influence and direction, Joe has developed and
expanded his technique of making in the Cremonese style. Each instrument is crafted using the
same method of the classic Italian makers of the 1600 and 1700's. Making full time in his
workshop, located in his log cabin home in the Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains,
Joseph Thrift makes copies of Guaneri del Gesu and Antonio Stradivari. Known for their
varnish transparency and warmth of color, these beautifully crafted instruments
may be finished in a straight 'new' appearance, or finished to replicate an authentic antique
look and feel.
"I have known Joe Thrift for almost four decades. We first met when we started school in
Newark-on-Trent, England in the 197o's. Whatever the magic was that brought us all
together, without doubt it created some of the best exponents of violin making, restoration
and expertise to be found anywhere. Joe has an instinctive feel for what makes a good violin
and he has the skill to interpret his aspirations." ~Roger Hargrave~
Joe Thrift is an active member of the Violin Society of America and in 2010 he was invited to
attend the international violin making workshop at Oberlin College, in Ohio. He is also an
active member of the Southern Violin Association and recently won awards including First
Choice Violin Workmanship, Second Choice Violin Tone and Maker's Choice Best Overall.
Besides making instruments full time in his shop in Surry County, North Carolina, Joe also
teaches a course in violin making at Surry Community College, near his home.
His father was a pipe organ builder. In the early 1970's, after building several small
instruments, he apprenticed to a local guitar maker, visited as many makers as he could
find, and developed a passion for the instrument making craft.
In 1976 Joe was accepted to attend the Newark School Of Violin Making in Newark-on-Trent
England. It was in these early years that he developed a close relationship with Roger
Hargrave and Julie Reed-Yeboah, now both accomplished violin makers. The graduating class
of 1979 produced many great makers. After graduation he returned to the states and opened
a violin shop in NC where he made, repaired and restored violins, violas and cellos.
Joe has traveled to Germany many times over recent years to renew his working association
with his friend Roger Hargrave. Through Hargrave's influence and direction, Joe has developed and
expanded his technique of making in the Cremonese style. Each instrument is crafted using the
same method of the classic Italian makers of the 1600 and 1700's. Making full time in his
workshop, located in his log cabin home in the Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains,
Joseph Thrift makes copies of Guaneri del Gesu and Antonio Stradivari. Known for their
varnish transparency and warmth of color, these beautifully crafted instruments
may be finished in a straight 'new' appearance, or finished to replicate an authentic antique
look and feel.
"I have known Joe Thrift for almost four decades. We first met when we started school in
Newark-on-Trent, England in the 197o's. Whatever the magic was that brought us all
together, without doubt it created some of the best exponents of violin making, restoration
and expertise to be found anywhere. Joe has an instinctive feel for what makes a good violin
and he has the skill to interpret his aspirations." ~Roger Hargrave~
Joe Thrift is an active member of the Violin Society of America and in 2010 he was invited to
attend the international violin making workshop at Oberlin College, in Ohio. He is also an
active member of the Southern Violin Association and recently won awards including First
Choice Violin Workmanship, Second Choice Violin Tone and Maker's Choice Best Overall.
Besides making instruments full time in his shop in Surry County, North Carolina, Joe also
teaches a course in violin making at Surry Community College, near his home.
