Arthur Conner was a self-taught luthier who made violins, fiddles and mandolins for local, regional and national bluegrass musicians and those of other musical persuasions.

He lived and practiced his craft for more than 50 years in Copper Hill, Virginia. One of Conner’s five-string fiddles with the ram’s head signature carving was shown in Ken Burns 2020 PBS documentary, “Country Music.”  Ricky Skaggs was holding it.

Conner started making instruments in the 1970s, after serving in the Army for World War II and working and retiring from Norfolk & Western/Norfolk Southern Railroad. In 2010, he told The Roanoke Times, he has built at least 100 instruments as a self-taught luthier. He read books about violin makers Giuseppe Guarneri, who studied with Stradivarius.

“We can put a man on the moon, but we can’t copy the older violins,” he told The Roanoke Times in 2010.

Arthur passed away at his home in Check, VA. in 2020 at the age of 95.

Below you will find a collection of photos, articles and videos celebrating and recounting his life.