Matthias Klotz (with spelling variations Mathias Khlotz, Khloz, Cloz), was baptized on 11 June 1653 in Mittenwald's St. Peter and Paul Catholic church, the son of Urban Klotz (Vrbanus Cloz, 1627–1691), a tailor, and his wife Sophia (?-1681).

Beginning at age 12, from 1672 to 1678, he took apprenticeship with master Giovanni Railich (Johann Railich), an Italian lute maker at Bottega di Lautaro al Santo in Padua, Italy.

In 1683, Klotz, now a skilled lute and violin maker, returned prosperous to Mittenwald and established his own workshop.

Klotz did not build most of his instruments in the classical Italian style, but made them similar to those of masters from Füssen (a town in Bavaria) and Swabia (Southern Germany).

Certain elements of his violins reflect the style of the Tyrolean master luthier Jacob Stainer.