Hand-Restored Vintage Violins

My name is Joe Alongi

I played the violin professionally in the St. Louis Municipal Opera Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony and the Kansas City Philharmonic orchestra.

Now I restore vintage violins by hand and make videos where I play the piano.

My Process

The typical restoration involves removing the violin top, repairing cracks and any broken parts and resetting the neck if necessary. In some cases the top is toned to the proper dimensions. The violin is fitted with a new bridge, pegs (if necessary) and strings.

Click on the Picture

If you click on the home picture it will bring up more pictures of the violin.

Shop by Type

Violins for Sale

I usually have a few violins on hand for sale. Here they are!

5 string violin

This 5 string electric violin has been specially constructed by me from a Bellafina electric violin. The back and sides are a factory German violin 100 years old. The top was made of maple, painted red and with plenty of sparkle added. The pickup is an active one, meaning it uses a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Barnes & Mullens violin

This violin was made in England and “Varnished by a secret process which greatly enhances the volume and quality of Tone.” Supplied only by the Sole Proprietors: Barnes & Mullens.

Bow & Fret violin

This unique and well made instrument was made out of individual pieces of wood that were glued together into a block, and then carved into the top, back and sides of this violin. It was made by Joseph L. Baker, Martinsville, Indiana in 1960 and is No. 69 of his violins. If you look closely at the pictures you can see the individual pieces of wood. Quite an interesting instrument!

Candy Crush violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a good quality chinese violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It has sparkle and the decorations make it look like a box of multicolored candy! For the young at heart! It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Carnival violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a good quality german violin. Beautiful back! The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It has sparkle and the decorations make it look like a carnival! For the young at heart! It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Circus violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a good quality chinese violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It has sparkle and the decorations make it look like a circus! For the young at heart! It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Cow&Corn violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a good quality chinese violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It has sparkle and the decorations make it look like it came straight from the farm! For the young at heart! It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

G. E. Jeito violin

This handmade violin is beautiful front and back. It has a robust sound and is very healthy. It has been reconditioned by me and is a solid instrument

Gerald Stockdale violin

This American Handmade violin was made by Gerald Stockdale, violin maker in Springfield, MO. in 1965. It has a rough appearance but sounds surprisingly great. It had been rebuilt by me and is ready to play.

Gibson violin

This violin is made in China but distributed by the Gibson Company. It is well built and sounds great. Very healthy violin.

Handmade American Unknown Maker

This American handmade violin has a great tone and is well made. It is ready to play.

Happy birthday violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a 100 yr. old German factory violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an passive one, but seems to provide plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It is made for stage performance with a band. It was made from a 3/4 size violin so the weight is more like a normal violin. It also has Christian theme decorations.

Harmony violin

This violin was manufactured in China but is listed as handmade on the label. It was distributed by the Harmony music company in California. It is solid and has a great sound.

J. H. Klick violin

This handmade American violin was made in 1924 by J. H. Klick who made several violins in Ponca, Nebraska. It has several repaired cracks, sounds great and is ready to play.

Jackson Guldan Violin Company violin

This American factory made violin is about 100 years old. It was made at the Jackson Guldan Violin Company and is in very good condition. It is ready to play for the discriminating player.

James A. Jay violin

This American handmade violin is a unique of what I call a craft violin made in the early 20th century. On the inside of the back of the violin he wrote (in pencil) the names of his children, James, Scott & Jane, Mackie and Mamie. It has been reconstructed and repaired by me and is ready to play.

JGVC violin

This American factory made violin is in very nice condition and is about 100 years old. It was made at the Jackson Guldan Violin Company in the style of a Stradivarius. Ready to play.

K Meyer violin

This American Factory violin is in very fine condition. It was made by K Meyer in the USA. It is ready to play.

Leon C. Wolfe violin

This unique violin is made out of what looks like walnut and is completely handmade, pegs and all. It comes with it’s own handmade case also! A great example of what I call and American craft violin, they are quite unique among instruments! Made in Newark, Ohio.

Oceanside violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a good quality german violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It has sparkle and the decorations make it look like the oceanside! For the young at heart! It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Patriotic Violin

This electric violin for the patriotic individual has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a 100 yr. old German factory violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Phillip Pittner violin

This violin was made in Colanendon, Texas by Phillip Pittner in 1926. It was repaired by N.C. Wood. Nice handmade American violin ready to play.

S. P. Beebe violin

This handmade American violin was made in New York in 1925. It is well made and crafted from wood available to the maker on his property. Very unique violin and it sounds wonderful.

South of the boarder Violin

This handmade violin was probably made in Mexico in the Stainer style. It is a little beat up but that just means someone loved it and played it. It would make a great Mariachi violin.

Sparkle violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a 100 yr. old German factory violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It has plenty of sparkle and also crosses and fish for a Christian theme. It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Springtime Violin

This electric violin has been specially constructed by me from the back, sides, neck and scroll (everything but the top) of a good quality chinese violin. The top is made of plexiglass with inlaid decorations and overpoured by clear epoxy. There are LED lights under the top which light up the top by means of a switch near the neck. The pickup is an active one, meaning it used a 9 volt battery and provides plenty of signal for the sound crew to pickup using a standard guitar cord. It has sparkle and the decorations make it look like springtime and Easter! For the young at heart! It is made for stage performance with a band. This violin is heavier than a normal violin due to the added decorations and pickup items.

Stainer model

Hand restored violin in the Stainer fashion. Deep tone, but bright and powerful. Definitely will please.

Strad copy

Violin made in the early 1900s after the Strad fashion. Hand rebuilt and toned. Bright and powerful.

W. E. Jones violin

This American made handmade violin was made by W. E. Jones, Howell, Michigan in 1919. It is solid and has a great tone. It is a fine example of american made violins in the early 20th century.

Wiley F. Card violin

This handmade American violin was made by Wiley F. Card, Los Angeles, CA in 1943. It is solid and has a bright pleasing tone. Great example of American made instruments. Made completely out of Mahogany.

WTS violin

This handmade violin was made by W.T.S in 1909 and repaired by W.T Smith in 1940. It has been played and loved and has a strong sound. American handmade violin.

Wynkoop violin

This handmade violin was made by S. A. Wynkoop in Frankfort, Indiana in 1935. It has a healthy sound and has been reconditioned and is ready to play.