Amber
Amber graduated from EWU with degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance. She plays in local ensembles and has taught school orchestras. She enjoys many forms of crafting and any occasion that involves costumes.
Your Pursuit, Our Passion
The staff at Custom Strings are all musicians ourselves and we've been on both sides of the counter. Our goal isn't to simply sell instruments. We want to help you find your instrument. We feel that each instrument and player is singularly important and both should be treated with respect. Your family heirloom won't get a "we've seen better" attitude from us. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, we welcome all musicians to experience the service you deserve.
Meet our Talented Team of Professionals
The dedicated musicians who make it all happen.
Gaelyn
Gaelyn has played cello since 6th grade and worked the way up from Shop Assistant to Assistant Luthier. On the phone, Gaelyn's voice is eerily similar to that of Mr. Prior's.
Rachel
Rachel has been with us for almost a decade and plays violin with her children who have begun their own musical exploration. She enjoys MMA, cooking, travel and the outdoors.
Jay
Owner and Head Luthier, Mr. Prior has played violin and viola since 1976 and began learning the craft of luthiery in 1984. He has played in many professional orchestras, holds degrees in chemistry and music performance, is a member of the VSA and has given lectures on instrument history and construction. In 2001 he opened Custom Strings and is privileged to count among his customers and colleagues many of the area's finest musicians.
Reyna
Reyna, a McNab shepherd, has been a dedicated greeter at the shop for 8 years and brings her joy of fetch to anyone willing to play. Don't be offended if she declines petting, she knows that you can't pet and play fetch at the same time and works tirelessly to keep us focused on the REAL reason people come in: fetch.
Rigby
Rigby joined our team in 2021. He is half Lab, half Aussie Shepherd and is every bit as skillful in fetch as Reyna. Rigby is everybody's buddy (whether they know it or not) and always has a ready smile. Customer relations is his second job, though, as he is a certified Search & Rescue K9 and is ready at a moments notice to serve his community.