Ithaca Stringed Instruments

Ithaca Stringed Instruments builders of fine bowed and plucked stringed instruments for over 40 years

ISI has been building exquisite violins,
mandolins and custom guitars for more than 40 years. These instruments are played by many of today's cutting edge influential artists including Jean Luc Ponty, Zach Brock, Yannick Hiwatt, Tommy Malone, David Torn & many more. Instruments from ISI feature the finest tone woods, the highest quality fittings and hardware & the unique ISI Pickup System. Althou

gh amplified acoustic instruments are ISI's specialty, our pure acoustic instruments are unsurpassed for tone & playability. "I have been looking for years for a 5-string violin that sounds good acoustically and that sounds closest to a real violin when used with a pickup . This new 5-string made by Eric for me is exactly what I was looking for so many years, an instrument that sounds great in both contexts."
-- Jean Luc Ponty

Currently on the benchFlorentine Octave mandolin , Fadolin and Hondouran Rosewood Parlor Guitar
06/03/2026

Currently on the bench
Florentine Octave mandolin , Fadolin and Hondouran Rosewood Parlor Guitar

05/09/2026

Please correct me if I am wrong….I feel the most satisfying thing for a musician is to be “present” in the music . Not distracted by issues like gear, problems of the day, insecurities about performance and preparedness and on and on…
Most importantly , to have an instrument that can be relied on to respond to the emotional input from the musician without placing obstacles in the way of attaining a “flow”..…That state where music lives.
I have been there , it’s where I want to be. My entire career as a musician and in Lutherie has been to understand what that instrument is for me and to realize it.
What’s that instrument for you ? Perhaps I can be of service, so reach out.

05/03/2026

today was Fadolin delivery day. My favorite day . Thanks to Kyle Ambrust for his trust and patience. I think it turned out well and am looking forward to hearing what he does with this one

another Fadolin completed
05/01/2026

another Fadolin completed

04/30/2026

I am in the middle of the adjustment process. At this point I have the instrument playable and here I am not really trying to make music but am listening for the response and colors of the whole range of the instrument. Getting there

just beginning the set up on this new Fadolin (6 stringed violin)
04/28/2026

just beginning the set up on this new Fadolin (6 stringed violin)

The very beginning of the set up on this new Fadolin. I am trying out this experimental tailpiece by D.S. Daniel Hoffma...
04/28/2026

The very beginning of the set up on this new Fadolin. I am trying out this experimental tailpiece by D.S. Daniel Hoffman Luthier. At this point I am just loading the instrument with string tension and will begin playing and adjusting it soon. We shall see

There is something in the beauty of wood that has been worked ,before the varnish, that gets me every time
04/21/2026

There is something in the beauty of wood that has been worked ,before the varnish, that gets me every time

Address

6115 Mount Road
Trumansburg, NY
14886

Telephone

+16073873544

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