A lifelong violin player, James learned how to repair violins when he
was 16 years old from a luthier who immigrated to the United States.
Currently located in Spokane, Washington he has collected and
restored violins over the years. In 2015 he began an intense study of the
recorded techniques used by Cremonese makers from the Golden Era of
violin making. Additional research was conducted based on new
research of acoustic characteristics of the violin design and the woods
used.

In 2017 James began making his own violins searching for projection
and tonal qualities that he has identified with fine Italian Instruments
that he owned in his collection. In his quest he explored many existing
methods using objective, scientific analysis. The result has produced
violins with beautiful tone, wonderful projection, and rich overtones.
James Ropp is a regular exhibitor at Violin Society of America
conventions.