IMPORTUNO VIOLINS

About 'Gio' John V. Importuno

"An heirloom in time, The Importuno Violin reflects the Old Italian Tradition."

'Gio' John Vincent Importuno, a Master Violin and Bow Maker in Tampa, Florida, began his musical career at the young age of eight. He was guided by both his grandfather, who trained his ear for a deep appreciation of music and by his father, who taught him how to work with tools and wood. He began performing music professionally at fifteen and at the same time, he was widely sought by local music stores to repair string instruments.

He studied and worked side by side with Master Luthiers Robert Benedetto and John Buscarino. He also served an apprenticeship under William T. Walls, Master Violin Maker and Restorer, who taught him the fine points of restoration. It was Wall's teaching that inspired John to dedicate himself to the mastery of his craft.

In addition to John's apprenticeship, he studied the art of French Bow Making and Restoration under the world renown authority on French Bow Making, Bill Salchow of New York.

For the past several years, John has been affiliated with Major Violin Houses throughout the United States and has been providing services to students and professional musicians in major local and national symphonies and orchestras, music stores, colleges and public school systems.

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He offers a complement of services and is able to provide custom hand-crafted string instruments from his workshop to the discerning musician at reasonable prices.

The Guarneri del Gesu is reflected in John's work. "His soul has been marked in the Violin world for generations."

Each Importuno Violin is hand-crafted from the finest aged European tone woods such as select Spruce and highly figured and well-seasoned Maple. The hand-crafted varnish is based on Old World recipes and made from Baltic Amber which is oil based and uses several different resins to add luster and life to his instruments.