I am pleased to announce my new book!

"The Art of Violin Retouching"

This is a unique step by step instructional guide for all violin restorers and people wanting to understand retouching. It is illustrated with color photography which enhances its value as a teaching manual, and printed in a format that is easy to use at the workbench.

The book is also written in the style of an inspiring philosophical commentary on artisanship. Its beautiful photographs and aesthetic layout make it also a perfect coffee table gift for people interested in artisanship, craftsmanship and musical instruments. You can order The Art of Violin Retouching from: http://www.henrystrobel.com



Note: This a professional book. Beginners are advised not to practice on valuable instruments. Care should be taken to avoid unnecessarily removing original varnish, wood, patina or texture. Wear marks on antique instruments should be evaluated for their potential to add value to the instrument before removing.

 

 

My Shop...

Where your family instrument is as valuable to me as it is to you.

I specialize in violin retouching and I offer violin restoration and repair of violins, violas, cellos and basses for instrument owners who are looking for a shop where their family heirloom instrument will be treated with loving personal care. In my violin restoration - repair shop, I approach each repair or restoration as a unique work of art. I carefully restore the craftsmanship and musical tone of each instrument. My specialty is touch-up, known as retouching, and spirit varnishing (see my page on Varnish Touch-up).

I also give fun and informative presentations to students and instructors about repair, restoration, retouching, how to care for instruments, design and tonal quality. Please see section under "Presentations" for more.

Feel free to explore my violin site further. Here you will find more information about my art of violin restoration, retouching and repair. From the bridge to the violin top and bottom tables, the scroll to the endbutton, each part plays an integral role in the sound quality. From the violin bassbar hidden inside the violin, outward to the finish on the wood, position of the soundpost, as well as the thickness of the plates, tailpiece, bridge, fingerboard... they all resonate as the bow vibrates the strings. Each part plays a significant role in translating the voice of a stringed instrument.

Also on my "Testimonials" page are a number of happy customer e-mails after I've worked on their instruments as well as articles and Comcast live interviews.

The artisan works carefully to restore the instrument to its original structure, both to preserve the historic value, as well as to carry forth the characteristic improvement of the tone that results from aging of the wood. The tone quality of the violin and its relatives, viola, cello and bass, actually improves with age, because years of seasoning increases the wood's ability to resonate. Beyond that, playing the instrument causes the tone to improve continuously.

Member of:
Violin Society of America
American Musical Instrument Society

Training in advanced restoration at the Violin Craftsmanship Institute, University of New Hampshire

People ship instruments for restoration, retouching and repair from all over the country. My offices are located in Danbury, CT in Fairfield County and New Milford, CT in Litchfield County. I serve all of Connecticut including Hartford, as well as, Putnam, Dutchess and Orange Counties in New York. You can visit my office or shop by setting up an appointment. Pick up/delivery and service call options are available. For shipping instructions and recommendations, go to the "Contact Us" page or click HERE for a Word document.

Please feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone with restoration questions.
Phone: 860.210.0743
e-mail: Artisan Violin TM, Restorations

 

 

ARTISAN VIOLIN TM. Artisan Violin Restoration by Brian Epp