Bridgewood & Neitzert Ltd

02/05/2026

Yann Besson in the house !

What a pleasure to have our good friend and seriously talented cello maker Yann Besson with us at Bridgewood & Neitzert 🎻 His instruments sing with character and his commitment doesn't stop at the sale... every cello comes with a free annual service for life ! Craftsmanship, generosity and a proper love of the instrument - just how it should be.

Before leaving us Yann left us a beautiful cello - a striking example of modern French craftsmanship and rich modern tone 🎶 - Check it out on our website by following this link : https://bridgewoodandneitzert.london/cello-by-yann-besson-2020-p29677

25/04/2026

Any guesses what this is ?

This is the body of a traditional Japanese Shamisen, an instrument with a rich history dating back to 16th-century Japan.

Deeply routed in music, storey-telling, and theatre. Known for its expressive, percussive tone, it has remained a distinct native voice in Japanese culture for centuries.

This one has seen better days - currently mid restoration and missing it's neck - but not beyond saving.

We can't wait to bring it back to life.
Stay tuned.

10/04/2026

There’s a quiet poetry to the work on the benches just now - edges rebuilt, surfaces renewed, bridges shaped from raw wood. Each instrument moves at its own pace, each one returning to itself.

Slide 1 -This instrument is currently undergoing a thoughtful round of restoration. The tailpiece has been refitted, the front has been removed and carefully thinned - with matching work on the back - bringing the body closer to its original responsiveness. A new fingerboard has been shaped and installed, and the final stages of retouching are now underway. It’s almost ready to sing again.

Slide 2 - This instrument arrived with several areas of damage, including sections where pieces had come away from the body. Our team is carefully repairing and reinstating each element, ensuring the structure is secure and the original character preserved. The work is now well underway, with the instrument steadily returning to full health.

Slide 3 -The Duke violin continues its long, careful restoration. With much of the original edge worn away, we’re rebuilding a new in‑edge and carrying out detailed internal work to support the structure. It’s a slow, meticulous process - fitting for an instrument with such a long and storied life.

Slide 4 - This slide shows the crafting of a new bridge blank - shaping the piece itself before any final fitting begins.

Instruments like these remind us that restoration is never rushed — it’s shaped slowly, patiently, in the quiet rhythm of the bench.

15/03/2026

Save The Old Church because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

Save The Old Church matters deeply to us at Bridgewood & Neitzert because places like this are where music really belongs – in the heart of a community, not just in a concert hall. As instrument makers and restorers, we spend our days bringing violins, violas and cellos back to life; this crowdfunder is our chance to do the same for a beautiful, fragile building that has sheltered so much music, reflection and connection.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-old-church

We’ve all played, listened, or quietly gathered in spaces like this old church, and we know how rare they are and how quickly they can be lost once the roof starts to fail and the fabric is neglected. By supporting this campaign with us, you’re helping to preserve a living acoustic, a welcoming performance space, and a shared piece of musical heritage where future players and audiences can still come together. If you’ve ever trusted us with an instrument, enjoyed a concert, or simply believe in keeping music woven into everyday life, please stand with us and give what you can – and share the appeal so this special place has a chance not just to survive, but to sing again.

The Victorian ground pipe for the toilets is failing. No loos = no events. Replace the old infrastructure to host today's emerging talent.

12/03/2026

It’s been a little while since we shared a glimpse inside the workshop, but the benches have been far from quiet. As the first signs of spring have begun to show - a few brighter days, a bit of welcome warmth - we’ve been working on a set of instruments that each carry their own history and character.

Antonius Vinaccia labelled – violin.
(Slides 1&2)
This violin needed careful structural attention. We are reinforcing the lower bout internally without removing the back, correcting a dropped neck elevation, and bringing everything back into proper alignment so it can respond cleanly and comfortably again.

Cello refurbishment
(Slides 3&4)
A soundpost crack has developed down the back - the kind of repair that calls for patience and precision. Securing and restoring this area ensures the cello can safely hold tension and return to producing a full, reliable tone.

Duke violin
(Slides 5&6)
A remarkable instrument with many years behind it, the original edge has worn away, so we are creating a new in‑edge and carrying out internal refurbishment to support the structure. A long, detailed process for a violin with a long, detailed life.

There’s a particular satisfaction in seeing these instruments regain their strength and voice. And there’s more happening in the workshop at the moment - including a project that ties beautifully into our upcoming blog on our website - so keep an eye out for the next post.

06/01/2026

Happy New Year from the workshop! We're restoring three exceptional violins that will soon be available:

🎻 An exquisite instrument attributed to Alessandro Gagliano (1665–1732), featuring an ornate inlaid purfling design on the back. Gagliano was the first known maker from the legendary Neapolitan violin-making dynasty.
🎻 A circa 1740 violin by Richard Duke (1718 – 1783), one of London's most prolific luthiers, complete with its original neck and bass bar.
🎻 A violin by Giuseppe Baldantoni (1784–1873) from Italy's Marche region. Remarkably, Baldantoni was both a violin maker and weapons manufacturer!

Images: Alessandro Gagliano scroll and back, Richard Duke stamp, Gary and Jacob discussing the instruments with the Baldantoni in the foreground.

Interested in trying one when they're ready? Get in touch.

24/12/2025

Happy Christmas and New Year from us all at Bridgewood and Neitzert. Thank you to all our customers and followers and see you in the New Year!

19/12/2025

Massi has been doing some minor repairs on this absolutely beautiful cello which is thought to be from the circle of Lockey Hill. Lockey Hill (1756 -1796) himself was the son of Joseph Hill and a fine, and prolific maker until he was hanged in 1796 for horse theft!

12/12/2025

The moment of truth 🎻 After Jacob meticulously carved and fitted a new bridge, he and Gary are putting this treble viol through its paces. It’s a lovely instrument with an exceptional carved head.

05/12/2025

We’ve had a fun afternoon putting these Fielder carbonmetal cello endpins through their paces. In this video, Andrea plays a gorgeous Neukirchen cello (c. 1740) with three different endpins:

🎵 Brass → richer, warmer tone
🎵 Copper → clearer, more focused sound
🎵 Titanium → noticeably louder projection

Cellists: Want to hear it for yourself? If you have a 10mm rod, we'd love to invite you into our playing room to try these out on your own instrument.
Drop us a message to book your session! Link in comments 👇

28/11/2025

Jacob is varnishing a new open scroll he crafted to replace a broken part on a customer's viola da gamba. Before applying varnish to the instrument, he tests each brushstroke on paper—the small splodges show whether the brush holds the right amount of varnish for smooth, drip-free coverage and confirm the colour matches the original. This meticulous work demands both patience and precision.