Edward Byler violin, Kooskia, ID, 2026 | Metzler Violins

About the maker:

Edward Byler is a violin maker living in North Idaho. He has enjoyed playing music and working with wood since his youth growing up in the Missouri Ozarks. Byler attended violin making workshops, including the Oberlin Acoustics Workshop, and is a member of the VSA. Foremost his education in violin making has come from his friend, and world-class violin maker, Ryan Soltis. Soltis has taught and critiqued Byler at each critical stage of making, from construction to varnish and tonal adjustments in setup. This has led to several top awards for tone and workmanship at the SVA and VMAAI, including Gold and Silver medals and 1st and 2nd place awards.

Byler builds mostly del Gesu model violins, but has lately been building some after the Amati style. He is truly passionate about building violins and meeting players who can present his work with their gift of playing.