Born and raised in Poland, Stopka started practicing violin making in 1978 in Krakow and in 1989 he emigrated to the U.S. with his family. For the last 20 years he has been making instruments in his own shop located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, IL.

Advanced players looking for their first professional violin should definitely consider trying a Wladek Stopka instrument. The sound qualities of this violin are a focused, colorful sound full of nuance. We have sampled contemporary instruments from many good American violin makers and we have found Stopka’s violins to compete very well even with instruments of a much higher price.

Stopka uses high quality, old European tonewood for all his instruments. He makes his own oil varnish with deep shades of reddish brown which results in a very attractive rich color.

• Year Made – 2015 Chicago
• Labeled – Wladek Stopka 
• Length of Back – 359mm 
• Condition – Excellent