Bill Hampton, a maker of museum-quality musical instruments, is now specializing in violins. His instruments are known for their unique sound and superior craftsmanship.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City chose a dulcimer and banjo by Hampton for its permanent collection. Laurence Libin, Curator of Musical Instruments, included Hampton’s work in the Museum’s book American Musical Instruments in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. When the Musée de la Musique acquired one of his dulcimers, the prestigious French museum was choosing to add the first American-made instrument to its collection. Additionally, the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota commissioned a banjo from Hampton for its permanent collection. Hampton has also served as a panelist on the Ohio State Council for the Arts.

Hampton was born in 1940 and raised in Kentucky, where, as a self-taught artist, he began making instruments in 1972. He moved to New York in 1980, where he has continued his practice.

Hear the elegant sound: 

"You lift the bow and it plays itself." —Eriko Sato

Violinist Eriko Sato plays Partita #3 by J.S. Bach on a Hampton violin.