Robert W. McCluskie is an established professional luthier.  He has been crafting instruments by hand in Mongomery County, Maryland since 1985 and has made over 350 violins and violas, many of which are owned by professional musicians.

He has played violin since the early age of 6, beginning with Suzuki method. He later studied with Samuel Applebaum and today plays Appalachian String Band Music as well as old time music with his wife, Carolee. His love of stringed instruments inspired him to learn the art of crafting them. He received formal training at the North Bennett Street School, in Boston, Massachusetts with master violin maker Raymond Melanson.  

Robert W. McCluskie builds fine instruments for professional musicians and serious students. He spent seventeen years crafting instruments exclusively for The Violin House of Weaver and four years for The Potter Violin Company before going out on his own.

Mr. McCluskie specializes exclusively in the creation of new violins and violas. Skilled in the art of making replicas and in instrument design, he creates custom instruments based on customer requirements and/or using patterns he has evolved over time. Each instrument is individually built. Working one at a time, he creates only ten to fifteen instruments over the course of a year, finely crafting each one. He chooses wood carefully for tone and aesthetics and uses both American and European suppliers.

R.W. McCluskie instruments may be commissioned and purchased directly from Mr. McCluskie or from one of the fine violin shops that show his instruments. Please contact us directly for pricing and ordering information.