My Economy presents the evolving economic landscape through the perspectives of individuals striving to succeed, highlighting the real numbers that affect everyday lives.
Wesley Rule is the driving force behind Knoxville Fine Violins, a violin sales, rental, and repair shop located in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. He operates the business alongside his wife, Lauren Rule.
Raised amid his father’s pipe organ workshop, Rule was introduced early to musical instruments. Despite his father’s preference for piano, Rule chose the violin, embracing a subtle form of youthful independence. Reflecting on his journey, Rule shared, “At one point, I was looking at the instrument and realized I had no idea how to make one.” This realization motivated him to attend the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City to master the craft.
In 2020, Rule established a physical workshop in Knoxville. Initially, the team consisted only of family members, but as demand increased, he recognized the need for more expertise. In February of this year, he hired his first employee, Wyatt, a trained luthier. Rule explained, “Now we can get more repairs and more violin making done, which I wasn’t really able to do much making until we were able to hire him.”
Recently, Rule has focused on the implications of tariffs proposed by President-elect Donald Trump on imports from China. A significant portion of his lower-priced instruments originates from China, which has helped keep his prices competitive. To prepare for potential tariff impacts, Rule is exploring alternative suppliers in Eastern Europe and the United States. He stated, “We don’t want to have a gap in inventory if something were to happen, and we don’t want to raise our prices, especially for our economy-model instruments.”
Rule’s dedication to his craft is evident not only in his repair and restoration work but also in his enthusiasm for assisting clients in finding their ideal instruments to cherish long-term.
Listen to Wesley Rule’s full story by accessing the audio player above.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
