advice

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I do not give information about bows or instruments described to me over the telephone or via e-mail.   Your best source of information about your instrument or bow is through a competent violin dealer or connoisseur who you can visit in person.  Perhaps there is a violin shop in your area that you can call upon.  Expect to pay for their expertise.

Having spent over 25 years in this trade I have learnt a great deal about the fine repair, setting up and adjustment of particular styles, types and nationalities of violins, violas and cellos.  If you wish to ask my advice about any violin that you may have please refer to my email page first.  Any advice that I give is of course limited by the fact that it is not possible for me to view the instrument in question, unless you make an appointment and come in person to see me.

Take a look at my "Stradivari" page to find out more.

  If you wish to find information about a particular maker yourself then a good public or university library may possibly have one of a number of publications listing violin makers. Henley, Jalovec and Hamma are authors of such books.  It is not uncommon for THE STRAD or STRINGS magazines to publish prices for instruments and bows sold at auction. You should be aware that an auction price in a magazine or a brief description or  photograph of a particular instrument or bow found in a book may not tell you much about your own instrument or bow. Often labels or bow stamps are inaccurate or misleading.

If you wish to know more about the instrument which you have then have a look at my "articles and links"   or my "makers bio." page.