Since 1991, Wilder & Davis Luthiers has established itself as one of the most dynamic stringed-instrument shops in North America. The workshop's primary mission is to serve the artistic community by listening to all string quartet players, from beginners to professionals, in all styles.

Tom Wilder and Richard Davis met in the 1980s at the Chicago School of Violin Making, became friends, and talked of starting a shop together at some time in the future. After completing their respective apprentiships in 1991, they decided to set up in Montréal and chose the current site on Rachel Street.

Over time the duo built up a loyal customer base and were soon joined by French bowmaker Blaise Emmelin. Richard Davis returned to the United States in 1994, but Tom Wilder decided to keep the joint name, which had already become well known in the musical community.

Once established in Montreal, opportunities further afield beckoned. Circumstances in the mid-1990s led to a trip to Winnipeg – the first of many - to evaluate instruments for a symphony fund-raising event to. Requests to visit other western cities followed soon thereafter.

By the early 2000s, demand was so strong that expeditions to Winnipeg and then Calgary were made in a van loaded with tools, instruments and bows. Ultimately the journeys were extended as far as Vancouver. After a number of month-long return voyages, the idea of opening a shop in western Canada finally took root.

In 2002, a shop was opened in Canmore, Alberta, and cellist Nigel Boehm became Wilder & Davis Luthiers’ representative for western Canada. Five years later, the shop moved to the Crandall-Peck Cabin, a small cottage and heritage landmark not far from the famed Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Violin maker Angel Alvarez has since set up there permanently to better serve the needs of local musicians and residents of the arts Centre.

In 2017, Tom's daughter Meaghan Wilder married a French engineer, Jordan Reitz. Soon after, Tom began training Jordan to take over the family business. Jordan is currently the owner of Wilder & Davis étude.

More recently, Jordan decided to open a second workshop in Western Canada, led by long-time client and friend, cellist Brian Mix, and operated by luthier Charles Arsenault.
Despite these two new western locations, the Wilder & Davis team continues to travel annually to Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Edmonton.