Violin Repair

Author
Discussion

Borris-Bear

Original Poster:

815 posts

251 months

Saturday 22nd August 2009
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Ive just inherited a Violin after my Grandad died recently. He used to play in cinemas doing the music for silent movies so i think the violin is over 100 years old.

Its a bit worse for wear after being untouched for many years since his fingers stopped being agile enough to play it. I'd like to get it repaired and either try to play it or just be able to keep it as an heirloom.

Does anyone know a repairer of violins preferably in the Surry area? Heres a picture of it



Theres actually another one that he obtained but never played wondering whether selling this one may pay for the repair of the one he actually played.

elise2000

1,538 posts

225 months

Sunday 23rd August 2009
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Borris-Bear

Original Poster:

815 posts

251 months

Sunday 23rd August 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply. Have emailed the shop in Egham.

I live in Egham and never knew there was a violin shop in town!

NiceCupOfTea

25,305 posts

257 months

Monday 24th August 2009
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Hi,

My wife is a pro violinist - she says it needs a clean and maybe a few cracks that need looking at, and it'll need new strings and setting up but it's difficult to tell without a good look.

Is there a maker's name? If you look in the left hand f-shaped hole there should be a label. This should help ID it - it may only be worth a couple of hundred in which case it's worth knowing before you spend a lot of money on it! Mind you, any decent violin shop would tell you that.

My wife also recommends Healey's. There are loads of shops in London if you don't mind the trip.

Any more questions just shout!

PS - is there a bow?


Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 24th August 01:28

Borris-Bear

Original Poster:

815 posts

251 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
I did have a look but cant see any makers sticker in there. There is a bow its in the top half of the case its in.

We're not sure where it originally came from or if it was new or second hand when he bought it.

Bullett

10,954 posts

190 months

Monday 24th August 2009
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My father is a luthier and so is one of my best mates, I'm not though. (but they are in Lincolnshire and Germany)

A decent shop will be able to advise you it's worth and how much to spend on getting it fixed. (I know it's not about value)
The value of a violin is normally on quality and the maker.

As an alternative to a possible expensive shop repair there are a number of violin making and repairing courses in the UK. I'm sure they would be happy to gain experience on it if you were prepared to let them. Dad taught at Newark and that sort of job was taken on by the best of the students and closely supervised.