Violin Making and Repair
Lynchburg, VA
Photo: Pat Jarrett/Virginia Humanities
Daniel Smith of Lynchburg, Virginia found his way into becoming a luthier while he was working full time for the local fire department. It was discovering Cajun music while serving in the Army in Germany during the Vietnam War that led Smith into a love for old-time music—and especially the fiddle. When he saw Dolly Parton play a guitar made by a friend of his, Donald Watts, on television he became interested in instrument repair.
In addition to being a luthier, Watts was known locally for hosting Porter Wagner and Dolly Parton’s tour bus on his land in Monroe. He taught Smith some foundational skills and also introduced Smith to Russell Burford, his nephew. The two became fast friends and went on to build fifteen instruments together. Skilled hand work came naturally to Smith, something he attributes to his father, who was a machinist. He explains his dedication to the work by extolling its benefits, saying, If you do something with your hands and mind together, it is a good antidote for the misery of the world.” When Burford passed away, his family bestowed his tools to Smith, who soon began to build and repair violins full time following an early retirement from the Lynchburg Fire Department.
While Smith received his initial training from Watts and Burford, he continued to advance his skills to an expert level on his own, through his repair practice, examining the instruments he encountered, and studying photos of historic violins. He has built 75 violins, repaired hundreds of instruments, and is currently building his second cello. Smith trained violin builder and restorer Richard Maxham, and the two are receiving support from the Virginia Folklife Program in 2022-2023 to continue their apprenticeship—though as Smith puts it, “the teacher has become the student!” Smith will be in the Instrument Makers Workshop in the Virginia Folklife Area on Saturday and Sunday.