What happens at the bench
Eight kinds of work, one shop — for violin, viola, cello and double bass. The makers on the bench are players themselves, so the work is judged by ear as much as by eye. Pricing is quote-based; tell us what you need and we’ll set a time.
Fitted, in-person instrument sales across every price tier — from a first step-up violin to a fine professional cello — plus consignment for players placing a fine instrument with the right next owner. Every sale is matched to the player, not pulled from a cart.
Quote-based; viewing by appointment.
Open seams, cracks, fitting work, pegs and bridges — the everyday repairs that keep an instrument playing. We diagnose by ear and by hand and tell you plainly what it needs and what it doesn’t.
Quote-based after we see the instrument.
Structural and cosmetic restoration of older and damaged instruments — crack closure, cleating, varnish retouch, and the patient bench time a valued instrument deserves. Decades of restoration experience behind every project.
Quote-based; complex projects estimated up front.
Soundpost, bridge, and setup work that opens up an instrument’s voice. Because we play, we adjust to how the instrument feels under the bow — not to a spec sheet. Often the single most transformative thing we do.
Quote-based; by appointment.
Fresh hair for violin, viola, cello and bass bows, fitted and dressed properly so the bow draws clean across the string. Bring the bow in and we’ll turn it around on a timeline that works for your playing schedule.
Quote-based per bow.
Written appraisals for insurance, sale, or estate purposes — grounded in real bench knowledge of makers, schools, and condition. A member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers is on the bench.
Quote-based; by appointment.
High-quality instrument rentals for students and players who aren’t ready to buy — properly set up by the same hands that do our repair and sound work, so a rental actually plays well.
Quote-based; ask about current availability.
Strings, cases, fittings, rosin and the accessories players actually reach for — kept on hand so a visit to the bench can solve the small things too.
For students & parents
We rent and set up student instruments the same way we treat a professional’s — properly fitted, with a real soundpost and bridge, so a beginner isn’t fighting the instrument. Bring the player; we’ll size and set up the right one.
Get a quote
One form, routed to the right bench — sale, repair, restoration, rehair, sound adjustment, appraisal, or rental.
By appointment · Tue–Thu 10–5 · Sat 10–3