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A major part of the work of
The Violin Shop is repair and restoration, both of the customers'
instruments and those for sale in the shop. Although
many new instruments are sold, older instruments make up the
bulk of the sales and they have to be in as good a condition
as possible, for the sake of both the client and the instrument. We are always interested in
buying good quality instruments and bows for restoration, regardless
of condition. It is amazing what traditional skills, modern materials,
a good eye and infinite patience can achieve. For instance, this old English 'cello was restored for a customer several years ago. In common with many English instruments of its time, it had merely painted on purfling, affording no protection to the corners and edges. By the time it came into the shop it had lost all four corners on its belly and two on the back. We were able to make new corners, copying the two extant corners on the back. -  An old English 'cello restored in the workshop We undertake work on all members
of the violin family and their bows. This work could be anything
from simply putting on a new string for a beginner unsure of
how to do this, to a major restoration for which we will happily
give a quote. Many smaller jobs can be done
the same day, preferably if an appointment is made beforehand. This
includes bow rehairs. It should be remembered, however,
that Saturdays are normally our busiest day for the purchase
of instruments and the workshop is not fully staffed on that
day.
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 "At the End of the Day" - detail of a pencil drawing of the workshop by Kevin George |
