David Bonsey

Musical Instruments

Updated: 7.17.09

As director of Skinner's Fine Musical Instruments department, David Bonsey is responsible for overseeing the growing demand for Skinner's auction and appraisal services within the professional musician community. Skinner is one of the few major auction houses in the nation, and one of only a handful in the world, to specialize in fine musical instruments. Skinner's auctions of rare stringed and fretted instruments and bows draw serious collectors, dealers and professional musicians from around the globe. Under David's direction, Skinner has brought to auction some of the rarest examples of fine stringed instruments ever sold.

David came to Skinner in 1999 bringing a varied background of experience and two decades in the musical instrument market with him. As a violinmaker and musician, he is well versed in every aspect of this market and is widely known among professional musicians. He began his professional career in 1980, working as a violinmaker and restorer at W.J. Fleischer, Violin Makers in Boston. In 1987, he joined Johnson String Instrument in Newton, Massachusetts, where he specialized in new and antique instruments, founding and managing The Violin Workshop, which buys, sells and appraises professional-quality stringed instruments and bows.

His education includes a bachelor's degree in guitar from the Berklee College of Music, and private study in violin making in Cremona, Italy. He is a member of the Violin Society of America, an associate member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers and a committed participant in the annual Professional Violin Maker's Workshop at Oberlin College. David is a frequent contributor to articles on the care, handling and restoration of fine musical instruments.