always creating
Jim Clinton | violinmaker & repairman
A CREATIVE TYPE
Jim Clinton is a creative individual who encountered his interest in bowed instrument making by first learning the craft of violin family repair and restoration.
A UNIQUE SKILL-SET
He developed experiential skill while restoring much-loved, elderly instruments, performing thousands of instrument setups, and discovering the intricacies of tonal adjustments. Therefore, these skills were already in place when Jim made the commitment to follow a master maker in learning the craft of violin making for himself.
A MAKER AHEAD OF HIS TIME
Jim has always said that before he even started making violins, he literally made multiples of them while creating replacement parts for repairs of violins violas, celli, and basses. He finds it an honor and pleasure to breathe life back into an old, lovely instrument, but it is even more gratifying to create a new instrument, breathing life into it for its first time.
A PATHWAY TO LUTHIERIE
Way back in the 1970s and 80s (and beyond), he was found tweaking and tuning his Nova SS. Then, not so far back in the 1990s, he experimented with adjusting his personal cello. This led to spending time with a master luthier who was a restoration and setup guru. In turn, this led to learning the craft of bow work, which logically followed with opening his business, "Jim Clinton Violins" in 2002. Then finally in 2015, he began tutoring under yet another master luthier to learn the foundation for his now structured, and methodical system of violin family instrument making.
A hot rodder at heart, methodically making things faster, stronger, better sounding, easier to play, and more responsive has become Jim's forte.
A CONTINUING LEGACY
Currently working out of a studio, Jim continues making, repairing, laughing and talking with friends, colleagues, and clients, and just plain old helping people find solutions for each unique situation.
A RESOURCE FOR SOLUTIONS
Over the years, Jim has always connected with his clients and friends. In fact he's had lunch so frequently with long-time friends, he decided to go on a diet this year...hah. Conversation is still just as meaningful, while the food is just a bit more efficient.
His mantra seems to have come from years of receiving consultation, then passing that help along by consulting with others.
If Jim can discover through conversation, a friend's needs, with just a little more time, one more question, and one more morsel of information, solutions will begin to emerge.
AVOCATION DEPARTMENT
Wishing for time to cook
Cars, and things with wheels
Sacred & Classical, Choral & String Orchestral Music
BEWARE, the ROOSTER - backyard farming
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, GREER, SC
