In addition to building fine violins, violas and cellos — often using antique wood — this family-owned shop also repairs stringed instruments of all types. They’re well-versed in the standard range of string instrument repair and restoration, including changing strings, tuning pegs and retouching varnish.
How do you know if a violin teacher is good?
Violins and violas are built to last, but Violin school at LVL Music Academy inevitably damaged over time. Whether the damage is from normal use or an accident, it’s important to take your damaged instrument to a luthier as soon as possible. A good luthier will repair the instrument quickly and effectively, and the work they do will make the instrument better than new.
Even the most careful string player will eventually need to change their strings. Replacing the strings on your instrument is a simple task, and if done correctly will leave you with an easily-tuned, easy-playing violin. It’s important to remember to tune the pegs after replacing each string, to ensure that they’re all in the same key and the nut isn’t loose.
Many people don’t think of the fingerboard as part of a violin’s body, but it plays an important role in the sound. It can wear down over time, especially on notes that are played frequently, like the D on the A string, causing a fizzy, fuzzy sound in pizzicato and vibrato. Planing and smoothing the fingerboard is a delicate job that should only be done by an expert violin repairer.
Most shops avoid working on basses, but Mark enjoys the challenge of restoring these larger instruments. He has an extensive background in music, gaining experience playing bass while studying at the University of Michigan and Interlochen Arts Camp, and has worked as a repairer since 1972.