Knilling instruments have long been distinguished by their superior adjustments. That tradition of excellence is carried on in our Knilling Shop, where a skilled team touches each and every instrument, preparing them for a long, rewarding musical journey.
Each instrument is meticulously adjusted using a combination of traditional lutherie methods and modern innovations to reach its highest potential for projection and playability.
Knilling Shop artisans bring decades of experience to their benches every day but remain guided by an ethos of skill development and continual improvement. And, above all, a true appreciation for the experience of making music. From a beginning student’s first Sebastian violin to an advancing player’s new Notturno, Shop members appreciate the impact a carefully set-up instrument has on a musician’s continued growth. It’s no surprise that our Knilling craftsmen, like most members of the St. Louis Music team, pursue music in some capacity outside of their time at the bench.
Tom Sohnlein has worked in the Knilling Shop since 2018, but has over 40 years of experience working on stringed instruments under his belt. While serving in the Navy, Tom’s friends admired the sound of his guitar and he began doing guitar and violin set ups and repairs on his kitchen table. The rest is history. His passion for the craft extends beyond the workday and he consistently produces beautiful pieces of his own design. Currently in progress: three electric guitars.
Evan Geiger started his career in the music industry working the floor in a retail store, but with his experience as a string player, he quickly found his way into the violin repair side of the business. Evan joined the Knilling team in 2023 and plays bass in three local St. Louis bands: Space Quaker, Kitz Row and Grandchildren Lawyers, the latter of which also features fellow Knilling Shop team member Jared Pitonak on drums.
Micah Bensky is the Knilling Shop Planning Manager and has been an integral part of the Knilling Team for fourteen years. He controls the flow of instruments in and out of the shop, manages inspections and quality control and helps refine our processes to make them more efficient. Micah is currently learning to play the cello alongside his 5th grade daughter Jorry, who recently joined her school orchestra (playing a Knilling cello, of course).
