About
About
Our History
Math Deatherage, a master luthier, began his profession at the young age of nine, when his father dared him to attempt to build a violin neck. From that time on, he has been honing the craft of string instrument making, which eventually led to him opening his store. Mr. Deatherage apprenticed under his grandfather, who was a violin maker, along with another violin maker for 15 years.
In 1970, he started his own business, custom making violins, mandolins, banjos, and guitars. The store, Deatherage Music Company, has also been engaged in the retail business, selling and repairing stringed instruments and accessories. Deatherage Music Company is the largest repair and restoration facility in the Southwestern United States, and serves customers within a 300 mile radius. Mr. Deatherage often says, "We feel a responsibility to each customer to do our very best. Everyone who comes through our doors is important. Do the job right the first time, let the customer know we appreciate the business." Mr. Deatherage has kept the operation small on this account. We understand that our reputation in the business community for expertise and fairness is paramount. We will continue to work to that end.
• • •
Carrying On the Tradition
Math has carried on another tradition in the Deatherage clan: the art form of old time fiddle playing. He began playing at the age of six. Math's grandfather, John Deatherage, and his uncle Earl "Popcorn" Deatherage, a well-known dance band fiddler in the region, encouraged him to learn and perform the many Texas traditional tunes. In no time, Math began playing in fiddle competitions. He has won many trophies and ribbons throughout his years of playing the fiddle and he still competes when time permits. His daughter, Jennifer, is carrying on the tradition, having won fifth place in the World Championship Fiddling Contest held in Crockett, Texas. She is passing the skill to others through her teaching.
Mr. Deatherage was recognized in 1995 by his peers as being an outstanding violin maker in a competition held annually in Tucson, Arizona. He entered four violins in the contest and won first, third, fourth, and fifth. The first-place winner was for tone and overall workmanship-- there were over 200 other entries. The Violin Makers Association of Arizona awarded him a nice trophy and four certificates of merit.
Deatherage Music Company manufactures four and five string violins; rosewood, maple, mahogany, and mesquite guitars; four and five-string banjos; four, five, and eight string mandolins; and violas and cellos; and he handles thousands of repairs every year. Deatherage Music Company also makes bows.
Excerpt from 1993 issue of Texas Monthly, page 146:
“A violin and a fiddle are the same thing. You carry one in a case, and the other in a pillow sack. So explains Clinton Math Deatherage, an Abilene artist with an unusual medium. The grandson of a violinmaker, Deatherage whittled his first neck block at age nine; twelve years later, in 1970, he started his own business, with the goal of providing ‘Old World quality in a new instrument.’ Working with his wife, Jan, Deatherage hand carves and then individually fits seventy or more pieces for each violin, finishing up with an all-natural varnish. Altogether, he spends a minimum of two hundred hours on a single instrument. Through his work he has conferred with many Texas musicians, including the legendary Bob Wills.”
• • •
1025 N Willis St, Abilene, TX 79603
• • •
Call Us 325-672-6012
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday: 8:30-11:30am,
1:00-5:00pm
(Closed for lunch)
Saturday: Open until noon
