UK Violins

19/06/2026

An interesting bridge for a client whose violin’s neck elevation was incredibly high (29.5 mm, when the ideal measurement is 26.5 mm). Sadly their budget didn’t allow for a rather intrusive neck reset to correct this.

Luckily, rather than taking the violin to the chiropractors we can instead consult a cardiologist and position the bridge heart much higher than usual. This can achieve similar but more cost effective results.

Hopefully, now using low tension strings and by keeping the bridge feet slightly thicker with the mouth slightly more open, the end result is a bridge which achieves visual and also tonal harmony.

The violin sure thanked us for this procedure and now sounds and performs beautifully.

17/06/2026

We could wax lyrical about this lovely protective finish we are trying out on this lovely French violin made in 1901. It’s having a deep clean and a polish before being set up ready for sale.

I’m sure it’s going to sound super.

13/04/2026

Not one but two Thomas Kennedy cellos in the workshop this week, what a treat!

The one on the right is played by a wonderful cellist visiting our shop. His cello is the older sibling and a completely different model to ours on the left which is a lovely early example made in 1805. Great fun to compare how Kenndy’s output varied over the years as such a prolific maker.

Ours has been gently restored and set up by our lovely friend and mentor, the late Andrew Fairfax and is available for sale.

Please contact us if you would like any further details or would like to arrange a viewing.

[email protected]

13/04/2026

Not one but two Thomas Kennedy cellos in the workshop this week, what a treat!

The one on the right is played by a wonderful cellist visiting our shop. His cello is the older sibling and a completely different model to ours on the left which is a lovely early example made in 1805. Great fun to compare how Kenndey’s output varied over the years as such a prolific maker.

Ours has been gently restored and set-up by our lovely friend and mentor, the late Andrew Fairfax and is available for sale.

Please contact us if you would like any further details or would like to arrange a viewing.

[email protected]

26/03/2026

Today in Bowland I’ll be mostly fixing wonky neck alignments! Luckily it’s stopped snowing and the sun has come out.

03/03/2026

By country miles the most flamed bow we’ve ever seen in for rehair today! Usually these bows can be quite weak as the pernambuco is cut on the slab, which is why we don’t often see them, but this one is surprisingly strong and very, very pretty!

🔥 🔥 🔥

21/01/2026

A busy morning producing more Materials Declarations for members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

We’ve been making these for various professionals and orchestras for a few years now, and it’s becoming an increasingly important part of our industry - knowing which natural materials you can or cannot travel overseas with.

Luckily we are here to help navigate this area so please get in touch for details!

Our materials declarations contain detailed photographs identifying your instrument and the natural material species used for its manufacture. We also offer advice when applying for permits and certificates if they are needed when travelling abroad. These are required if an endangered species is present, such as ivory, whalebone or rosewood, etc.

www.ukviolins.com
[email protected]

08/12/2025

An ebony frog repair to start the week ☺️

03/12/2025

A beautiful sunrise this morning over the Forest of Bowland on a day where the fate of the legality of owning, possessing and travelling with violin, viola and cello bows is decided in Uzbekistan.

Fingers crossed the powers that be see sense and allow me to continue cherishing, restoring, owning and passing on to future generations these beautiful, hundred plus year old musical instruments…

17/09/2025

It’s likely that the government will start charging for Musical Instrument Certificates. If the pernambuco wood ban goes ahead in November then 20,000 plus bows will be affected and will likely need certification.

Please consider emailing your MP and DEFRA to try and help persuade them to change their minds at the next COP conference about banning such a wonderful natural resource for musicians. Such a ban will quash any attempts by myself and colleagues to conserve this wonderful wood by encouraging its replanting in Brazil.

Under the proposals, instrument owners in Britain may need to pay up to £200 per application