A luthier (pronounced /lutiər/ LOO-ti-ər) is someone who makes or repairs stringed instruments. The word luthier comes from the French word luth which means "lute". In the United States, the word luthier is less often used; string instrument makers may instead use a term for their specialty such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc.
The craft of making string instruments, or lutherie, is commonly divided into two main categories: stringed instruments that are plucked or strummed, and those that are bowed. Since bowed instruments require a bow, the second category includes a subtype known as a bow maker. While the division of luthiers into different categories may seem arbitrary, there are those who are passionate about the difference between these branches of the craft.
Famous early luthiers usually come from Italy and Germany. Modern luthiers are also mostly from Italy and Romania who migrated to the US.
• The school of Brescia, beginning in the late 14th with liras, violettas, violas and active in the field of the violin in the first half of 16th century
• The Dalla Corna family, active 1510–1560 in Brescia and Venezia, Italy
• The Micheli family, active 1530–1615 in Brescia
• The Inverardi family active 1550–1580 in Brescia
• The Bertolotti Gasparo da Salò family, active 1530–1615 in Salò and Brescia
• Gio Paolo Maggini, active 1600–1630 in Brescia
• The school of Cremona, beginning in the half of 16 century vith violas and violone and in the field of violin in the second half of 16 century
• The Amati family, active 1500–1740 in Cremona, Italy
• The Guarneri family, active 1626–1744 in Cremona
• The Stradivari family, active 1644–1737 in Cremona
