Brunkalla tests the sound from a violin that was brought in for repair.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Every piece is made from scratch.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla makes adjustments to the sound post of a violin that was brought in for repair.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla puts a violin to the test during repairs.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla's workshop is lined with instruments in different phases of completion.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla's workshop is lined with instruments in different phases of completion.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Some of the tools that Brunkalla uses to make custom string instruments at his Marengo home.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

A violin made from 50,000 year old kauri wood from New Zealand. The wood was milled from one of the most ancient tree species in the world, which had a diameter of more than 24 feet and was pulled from a bog.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

The Brunkalla tag on one of his custom instruments.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla plays one of his handmade dulcimers in his Marengo workshop.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla makes adjustments to the sound of a violin that was brought in for repair.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla estimates it takes about 33 hours for him to make one of his custom bows.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla tests a violin that he repaired in his Marengo workshop.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla's workshop is lined with instruments in different phases of completion.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla cuts a new sound post for a violin that was brought in for repair.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla makes adjustments to the sound of a violin that was brought in for repair.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla tries to keep the humidity of the workshop in a very defined range.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Martin Brunkalla looks over plans at his workshop in his Marengo home.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla says that of the violins that he has made, this one, his first, is still his favorite.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

A violin made from 50,000 year old kauri wood from New Zealand. The wood was milled from one of the most ancient tree species in the world, which had a diameter of more than 24 feet and was pulled from a bog.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Brunkalla plays one of his handmade dulcimers in his workshop.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer