About Us / Staff

We are teacher approved, recommended and award winning!

Hoffmann Strings Ltd. specializes in traditional stringed instruments including Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses, and Tamburitzas.

If you have that attic find or that project that has been sitting around for years, you should visit us for a Free evaluation.

Our Staff:

Meet Our Team

At Hoffmann Strings, Ltd., our team is made up of experienced musicians, educators, and skilled luthiers who share a passion for stringed instruments and exceptional customer service. Whether you’re renting your first instrument or seeking expert restoration, you’ll be working with people who understand musicians because we are musicians ourselves.

William Hoffmann – Owner & Luthier

William (Bill) Hoffmann, owner and master luthier of Hoffmann Strings, Ltd., has proudly served the Chicagoland community for more than 29 years from Buffalo Grove.

Bill studied violin craftsmanship at the University of New Hampshire Violin Craftsmanship Institute under the guidance of Karl Roy, the renowned German master violin maker and former director of the Bavarian State School for Violin Making in Mittenwald, Germany. He has also completed advanced studies in restoration, repair, and bow rehairing through the Oberlin Conservatory workshops, continually refining his expertise in fine string instrument restoration and repair.

Our Staff

The Hoffmann Strings team includes professionally trained musicians, educators, and violin makers who perform with orchestras throughout the Chicagoland area and across the country. Their combined experience allows us to provide knowledgeable guidance and outstanding service to every customer.

Jack is a retired professional string educator and former school administrator. He assists with daily operations, customer service, school district support, and instrument deliveries.

Shin graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in August 2025 as a professionally trained violin maker. He specializes in the setup and adjustment of our fine instruments to ensure exceptional tone and playability.

Mitchell is continuing his studies at the Chicago School of Violin Making, developing his skills in the craftsmanship and restoration of stringed instruments.

Mary Sue, Katie, and Mary Kay oversee our bookkeeping and administrative operations, helping keep Hoffmann Strings running smoothly each day.

Elizabeth and Michael assist with inventory management, organization, and daily shop operations.

William Hoffmann is a full-time college student pursuing degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business. As an important member of the Hoffmann Strings team, William supports marketing, customer relations, service calls, and daily business operations.With several years of experience working with stringed instruments, William is dedicated to providing exceptional service and helping customers find the right instrument and accessories to meet their musical needs.

Joseph Hoffmann is a full-time college student pursuing degrees in Industrial Engineering and Business. As an important member of the Hoffmann Strings team, Joseph supports marketing, customer relations, service calls, and daily business operations. With several years of experience working with stringed instruments, Joseph is dedicated to providing exceptional service and helping customers find the right instrument and accessories to meet their musical needs.

Tim Liu serves as our in-house photographer while pursuing his college studies and his passion for classical music. An accomplished violist, Tim has a deep appreciation for fine instruments and the artistry behind professional string performance.

Wesley assists with our rental department while continuing his education. With a background that includes studies in bass performance, he enjoys helping students and musicians find the right instrument for their needs.

At Hoffmann Strings, Ltd., every member of our team is committed to providing knowledgeable advice, expert craftsmanship, and friendly service to musicians of every age and experience level.

An Award-Winning Violin Shop

Hoffmann Strings is an award-winning violin shop recognized for excellence in customer service, craftsmanship, and quality instruments.

From 2017 through 2025, Hoffmann Strings was honored as The Best Musical Instrument Store in Illinois. In addition, Hoffmann Strings has been recognized by The Daily Herald as a Best of the Best and Top Pick among customers, reflecting the trust and support of musicians, educators, students, and families throughout the region.

Services

Hoffmann Strings, Ltd. is conveniently located in the greater Chicagoland area and proudly serves musicians throughout Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, and Kane Counties, Southern Wisconsin, and the Midwest. We work with local school districts, students, teachers, and professional musicians to provide exceptional instruments and personalized service.

Our full-service string shop offers quality instrument sales, rentals, restoration, and repair. Every member of our knowledgeable staff is a string player, giving us firsthand experience to help you find the right instrument and provide expert care throughout your musical journey.

We offer high-quality rental instruments that are professionally maintained and include rental credit that can be applied toward the purchase of an instrument. Whether you’re a beginner, advancing student, educator, or professional performer, we’re committed to providing the instruments and support you need. We also work closely with your school orchestra director or private teacher to ensure you receive the appropriate instrument and accessories.

At Hoffmann Strings, Ltd., we proudly support musicians of all ages and skill levels by offering:

• High-quality instrument sales, rentals, and expert repairs
• Rental credit that can be applied toward the purchase of an instrument
• Larger instrument exchanges as students grow
• Referrals to qualified private string teachers
• Support for ethnic stringed instruments, including tamburitza and mandolin
• Personalized service from experienced string musicians

From a student’s first rental to a professional-quality instrument, Hoffmann Strings, Ltd. is dedicated to helping every musician perform with confidence.

We have served the below Orchestra’s and following musicians.

Our instruments have been played by musicians and ensembles from a wide range of distinguished orchestras, educational institutions, festivals, cruise lines, and performing groups, including:

• Grant Park Orchestra
• Kenosha Symphony Orchestra
• Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Dallas Symphony Orchestra
• St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
• Las Vegas Philharmonic
• Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (Croatia)
• Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (South Korea)
• KBS Symphony Orchestra (South Korea)
• Elgin Symphony Orchestra
• San Francisco Philharmonic
• Valparaiso Orchestra (Indiana)
• Fort Wayne Philharmonic (Indiana)
• Waukegan Symphony Orchestra
• Grand Hotel Orchestra, Mackinac Island, Michigan
• Bluegrass ensembles, including Uncle Zesty’s Boot Knockers, Miles Over Mountains, and Tiny Country
• The Henhouse Prowlers
• The Mark Templeton Band
• Ben Rosenblum Music
• The Milwaukee Croatian Tamburitzans
• Hrvatska Loza (Chicago)
• Waukegan Tamburitzans
• The Tamburitzans (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• Cunard’s Queen Mary 2
• Disney Cruise Line
• Savannah Music Festival (Georgia)
• Chicago Public Schools
• The Philadelphia Orchestra
• The Juilliard School