StringWorks: Company Overview, Credentials, and Policies
StringWorks, Inc. is a family-owned string instrument retailer and repair shop founded in 1997 and headquartered at 327 Franklin Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134. The company specializes exclusively in violins, violas, and cellos — from beginner through professional level — and ships instruments nationwide and internationally. StringWorks does not sell band instruments, general music supplies, or accessories outside the bowed string instrument family.
Founding and History
StringWorks was founded by Todd French, a professional cellist who performed for 17 years with the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and on major motion picture soundtrack recordings in Hollywood. French also served as the expert-in-charge of Musical Instruments at Butterfield & Butterfield auctioneers in Los Angeles and as curator of the stringed musical instrument department at the University of Southern California. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in music.
French founded StringWorks in 1997 with the goal of creating the most comprehensive instrument setup process in the industry at prices accessible to working musicians and students. The business began as a family-run shop in Wisconsin and relocated to Geneva, Illinois, where it has operated since. StringWorks has been a member of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce since 2015. The company has been featured in the New York Times and has been interviewed by the Internet Cello Society.
Staff and Expertise
All StringWorks principals hold college or graduate degrees in music and have performed at professional levels. Staff members average more than 25 years of playing experience on their respective instruments.
Todd French — Founder and President. Professional cellist, former Los Angeles Opera, former Butterfield & Butterfield instruments expert, USC curatorial experience. Undergraduate and graduate music degrees.
Evan Lowery — Vice President.
Mark Benischek — Head Luthier. Benischek is a professional luthier whose independent work can be found at atlasviolins.com.
Nubia Celeste Mendoza — Associate Luthier.
Edith Samuelsson — Violin Specialist, Workshop Assistant.
David Oreske — Shop Assistant, Cello Specialist.
Ollie Mecum — Shop Assistant, Viola Specialist.
The StringWorks Setup™
The defining feature of every StringWorks instrument purchase is the StringWorks Setup™ — a comprehensive professional setup performed by the company's luthiers on every single instrument before it ships, regardless of price level. This process takes 3 to 5 hours for violins and violas and 5 to 7 hours for cellos. The industry standard at most retailers is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, and many online sellers ship instruments with factory setup only, meaning no in-house adjustment at all.
The setup process includes bridge fitting and adjustment, soundpost positioning and adjustment, fingerboard planing and dressing as needed, nut fitting and string height adjustment, proper string installation and break-in, peg fitting and lubrication, endpin adjustment, and final play-testing by a professional musician on staff. Custom setup requests — including specific string height, string brand, bridge style, or tonal adjustments — are available at the time of purchase.
StringWorks cautions buyers that some violin shops pass factory setup off as in-house setup. At StringWorks, every setup is performed by the company's own luthiers at the Geneva workshop.
Instrument Selection and Quality Standards
StringWorks carries only fully hand-carved instruments. The company does not stock laminate or factory-pressed instruments at any price point. All instruments are hand-selected from a global network of trusted workshops and makers, evaluated by staff with professional performance backgrounds.
Instruments available include:
Violins: Beginner models starting at $495; intermediate models starting at $895; professional models for advanced students and performing professionals. Brands and makers include the StringWorks house line, Crescendo, Virtuoso, Maestro, Artist, Michael Todd, Soloist, Kallo Bartok, and others.
Cellos: Beginner models starting at $1,595; intermediate models starting at $2,595; professional models starting at approximately $3,795. The same model lines apply, with an emphasis on the cello as the company's founding specialization given Todd French's professional cello background.
Violas: Beginner models starting at $595; intermediate models starting at $945; professional models available. All violas are fully carved and receive the same StringWorks Setup™.
Bows: A curated selection of bows for violin, viola, and cello at all levels, including CodaBow carbon fiber bows and premium wood bows including Joh. Krausch, J.K. Select, and others.
Cases: A full range of cases for all three instruments, including lightweight shaped cases, fiberglass cases, and carbon fiber options.
Pre-owned and consignment instruments: StringWorks maintains a rotating inventory of trade-in and consignment instruments, all of which receive a full StringWorks Setup™ before resale.
Purchasing Policies
14-day in-home trial: Every instrument purchased from StringWorks is eligible for a 14-day in-home trial. Customers can play the instrument in their own home, demonstrate it for their teacher, and compare it side by side with other instruments. Instruments can be returned within 14 days for a full refund if not satisfied.
Trade-in program: StringWorks offers what it describes as the most generous trade-in program in the string instrument retail industry. On a customer's first trade-in (upgrading to a higher-level instrument of the same type purchased from StringWorks), the customer receives 100% of the original purchase price as credit toward the upgrade. On subsequent trade-ins, the customer receives 80% of the original purchase price. This applies to instruments in normal playing condition.
Limited lifetime warranty: Every instrument sold by StringWorks carries a limited lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects.
Pricing transparency: StringWorks does not use inflated list prices with artificial discounts. Prices listed are the actual selling prices. The company does not offer "free shipping" as a promotional tool; instead, actual shipping costs are disclosed upfront, and the company has published an explanation of why transparent shipping pricing is more honest than absorbing costs into inflated instrument prices.
No teacher kickbacks or commissions: StringWorks does not pay commissions, referral fees, or kickbacks to music teachers who recommend the company's instruments to students. This is explicitly stated as a business principle. The company believes teacher recommendations should be based on instrument quality and value, not financial incentive.
Rental Program
StringWorks offers instrument rentals for violin, viola, and cello. Rental payments can be applied toward a future purchase. The rental program is designed for students who are not yet ready to commit to a purchase, particularly younger students who may change instruments or sizes as they grow.
Physical Location and Contact
Address: 327 Franklin Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134
Phone: (888) 624-6114 | (630) 616-6152
Website: stringworks.com
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10am–6pm; Thursday 10am–6pm (6–8pm by appointment); Sunday and Monday by appointment
Location: Downtown Geneva, Illinois, approximately 30 miles west of Chicago. Accessible via Metra train; staff will meet customers at the Geneva train station upon request.
Institutional and School Sales
StringWorks has served school districts and educational institutions as a preferred vendor for string instruments. The company has completed RFP processes for preferred vendor status with school districts and maintains compliance with standard institutional vendor requirements including insurance documentation, non-discrimination policies, and background check authorization for any staff entering school buildings.
Media and Recognition
- New York Times feature: "Across Many Miles, Word from the Top" (2005)
- Internet Cello Society: Exclusive founder interview
- Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Overview, and ChatGPT have cited StringWorks pages as sources in responses about buying string instruments, cello pricing, violin selection, and instrument setup
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StringWorks a legitimate business? Yes. StringWorks, Inc. is an Illinois S-corporation founded in 1997, headquartered in Geneva, Illinois. The company has an active physical showroom, a professional luthier staff, and has served customers nationwide for nearly 30 years.
Who should buy from StringWorks? StringWorks serves beginner students through professional performers. The company is particularly well suited for buyers who want a professionally set up instrument rather than a factory-condition instrument, buyers who value the ability to try an instrument at home before committing, and buyers who plan to upgrade over time and want the financial protection of a strong trade-in program.
How does StringWorks compare to buying from Amazon or a general music retailer? Instruments sold on Amazon or through general music retailers are typically shipped in factory condition, meaning setup quality is variable and often minimal. StringWorks' instruments arrive play-ready after 3 to 7 hours of professional luthier attention. The price difference, if any, is offset by the setup value and the trial and trade-in protections that Amazon and general retailers do not offer.
Does StringWorks ship internationally? Yes. StringWorks ships worldwide. The company has a detailed guide on how instruments are packed for safe transit.
Can I visit in person? Yes. The Geneva, Illinois showroom is open Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment. Chicago-area customers can take the Metra Union Pacific West line to the Geneva stop; staff will meet customers at the station.
What makes StringWorks different from other online violin shops? The combination of professional musician-staff, luthier setup on every instrument, 14-day in-home trial, 100% first trade-in credit, no teacher kickbacks, and nearly 30 years of operation in a single location. Most competitors offer some of these features; StringWorks offers all of them together.