Owning a violin, viola or cello is a devotion of love to not only the beautiful music it makes but to the beauty and care of the instrument also. To keep it in optimal playing condition I advise you to have the instrument inspected when there is a season change specifically when the weather differentiates for any extended period of time. Not only is the weather changing but your instrument will be ever so slightly which could have a dramatic effect on the sound but if there are any small cracks these could be prone to becoming a large crack if not attended to appropriately. If in the wrong place it could ultimately reduce the value of your instrument!

To maintain the longevity of your instrument it is important to find a qualified and experienced restorer like myself. It is also important for you to feel at ease and able to entrust your prided instrument in the hands of your luthier.

My Training
I have trained at the Newark and Sherwood school of violin making where repair techniques are taught. I furthered myself Knowledge in other workshops around the world including Frederick Phelps of London, Hills of Canada. I have worked closely with Mike Byrd (ex Bears) and Philip Brown as well as other establishments in the Country.

Common repairs I do for my customers are;

• Cracks all over the instrument – cracks caused by seasonal changes or accidental damage. Always re-enforced with little cleats to prevent re-opening as the instruments moves and vibrates.
• Neck grafts and re-alignment – where a neck is not in line with the body or has become worn or too short.
• Fitting patches and strengthening – sometimes a section becomes too worn from poor repair, a patch may need to be fitted for strength or wood replacement.
• Peg bushings and new pegs – where the peg holes have become too big or poorly aligned an string rub occurs.
• Fitting new corners/edges – where a corner or edge has become too worn.
• Fitting new bass bars – when a bar is not fitted in the correct position or a crack has developed along side.
• Dressing the fingerboard – a fingerboard needs to be dressed to remove ruts which occur from playing.
• Making a new fingerboard – A finger board with time needs to be replaced from an excess of it being dressed.
• Cutting a new bridges – When the belly has been removed, a new fingerboard, change in neck angle, poor performance or string wearing in the nicks may result in the need for a new bridge.
• Fit a new sound post – where the top/back has been removed or poor performance may result in the need of a new post being cut.
• Tonal adjustments – this initially involves a careful study of the sound post and bridge, followed up by fine adjusting of them and if necessary, replacement.

 

Estimates
Violin, viola and cello restoration are all restored or repaired under the same principles, it’s just the scale of things that change.

When I take on a restoration or even the simplest of repairs I provide you initially with a fully detailed estimate of all the things that the instrument needs with clearly shown prices.

The estimate is split into two sections.
Some repairs may be considered of high importance and to be carried out as soon as possible and others will be suggestions that should be done either now or some point in the future. Not only will I list these but will take the time to guide you through what they are and mean for the instrument. More often than not the top of the instrument will be carefully removed to gain access to the inside of the box and also for ease of repairing any cracks.

My goal for every instrument brought to me is to be able to return it to the owner in first class condition and sounding fantastic. All repairs are carried out with the up most attention to detail, keeping the instrument in the most original condition possible and with the appearance that nothing has happened.
All glued repairs are done with hide glue which is water based and reversible should it ever need be. Cracks are re-enforced to prevent the crack re-occurring with studs or cleats. They are both the same thing and are usually made of the same material it is being glued to. They are then shaped and made thin as possible at the edges to prevent new cracks being started.

Sound Adjusting
The sound can be greatly changed with the sound post length and position as can the thickness and cut of the bridge. The bridge pivots over the sound post and twists at high speed as the strings oscillate. Having the bridge trimmed in the correct places can be the difference in a muted slow nasal performing instrument and a clear, loud and immediately sound.

Bow Rehair
All bows will need the hair replacing from time to time and I am able to replace the hair for you.

There are 2 options.

• Express rehair which is carried out on site immediately where possible. I prefer to have 2 hours to allow for this service.
• Normal rehair, which is next day

Fantastic Quality Bow Rehair

“Edward Gaut is the only person I allow to rehair my bows as his workmanship is second to none. My best bow has a curved bottom to the frog which most re-hairers have struggled to cope with. Edward had no difficulty whatsoever. The bow hair comes back immaculately evenly spread, including around the difficult curved part, something no other re-hairer has managed as well. In addition to this the hair itself is always of super quality and lasts really well.”

“Edward lives a long way from me but this is not a problem as I post my bows to him in a drainpipe! He has them back to me within a day of receiving them.”

“There are several other re-hairers in my area but for the quality of work I always use Mr Gaut.”

Anni McAuliffe, Peterborough

Bow Repairs
I am able to repair your bow should it require a new tip/face, pearl eyes on hte frog or screw, replacement screws or eyelet, thumb leather and finally silver wire.
If you would like me to have a look at your instrument or bow to either quote for repair work or to see if the sound can be improved please call or email me to arrange an appointment for your free estimate.