The Violin Shoppe offers a full menu of services to help you keep your musical investments in top condition.

Read our history to learn about our long tradition of
caring for stringed instruments and players.

"I pledge allegiance to The Violin Shoppe and to the fine repairs done there. My pretty blond curly maple bass was restored to good health recently and I am so pleased.

"I am so impressed with the craftsmanship displayed in the fingerboard shim for proper extension and the attention to detail displayed in the peg-box repair! These are but two of the many repairs done to this bass. This instrument has great sentimental value to me and now it is such a pleasure to play as well. Thanks." -- Darrell Gray, satisfied customer

General Restoration and Repairs

Any instrument can be restored, and the work will last if you care well for your instrument. We offer complete restoration services for all violin and viola family instruments. We often receive old family heirloom instruments unplayed for years and badly neglected and they are returned cleaned, polished, repaired and restored to complete playability for years of enjoyment. We also revitalize instruments played daily and reverse the effects of age and hard use so that it is once again easy to play and sounds its best. The value of the restored instrument is usually far greater than the cost to restore it and there is no charge for a repair estimate. Call, write or e mail us today and discuss with our repair personnel what you would like done. Please click here for packing instructions to ship your beloved instrument. We send and receive instruments daily with excellent results.

Most major repairs are warranted for as long as you own the instrument. Seams and cracks repaired without removing the belly are warranted for a year.

Adjustment, Setup, & Custom Work

We can adjust any stringed instrument to play its best. We make sure it has quick response, a solid, balanced, and focused tone, and a soft, silky feel to the strings. Wolf tones can be minimized; squeaks and whistles can be eliminated. We set up new instruments and we re-set up old instruments. A world-class adjustment allows your instrument to play its best. Your stringed instrument should be comfortable to play -- an extension of your body and soul. We can help you solve ergonomic problems to make you more comfortable while playing. We can customize instruments to be historically accurate for any time period. We can also install electronic pickups.

Bow Rehairs

Fine, unbleached horsehair is used for most bows. For the finest bows, we have several different types of hair available, all hand-dressed by Michael T. Sowden & Sons in England. Mare's hair and the somewhat whiter stallion hair are both available, as is stronger Canadian hair for players who tend to break hair quickly.

Also available is the Sowden Red String Brand, which has been specially treated with natural extracts to reduce the hair stretch caused by humidity. Red String Brand is the hair choice for bows which are frequently used for outdoor concerts. Highest-quality black or salt & pepper hair is available for bass bows.

We make our own salt & pepper by hand, mixing black and fine white hairs. New blocks are handmade for every bow of selected maple and mahogany. During each rehair, the bow is carefully cleaned and inspected, the metal fittings are polished, and the screw is lubricated. All of our rehairs are warranted against failure of the knot or blocks for the lifetime of the rehair. A bow needs rehairing when the hair is worn smooth and will not retain rosin, or when too much hair is broken off by hard usage. Never store your unused bows in the case for more than a week or two because of the danger of bow bugs eating the hair, which can happen even in the cleanest home. We cannot be responsible for failure due to insect damage.

Bow Restoration

Bone tips can be replaced, crooked bows straightened, eyelets replaced, broken heads restored, grips replaced, and so on. We can fix nearly any problem with any bow, and can offer referrals to the world's finest bowmakers for clients with serious problems in masterwork bows.

Concert Instruments and Accessories

Our selection of fine instruments and bows usually includes a variety of both new and antique items, both in many different price ranges. We offer a full line of strings and accessories, as well as metronomes, tuners, and music stands. Handcrafted concert instruments, custom made to meet your needs for tone and appearance, are available on commission. We can also refer you to other fine contemporary makers, depending on your specific needs.

Appraisal

Expert insurance appraisals are available to help you protect your musical investments. We can also assist you with finding the age and origin of your instrument or bow.