Notes from the workbench.
Practical, honest writing from the atelier — sizing, setup, costs and what to listen for when choosing an instrument.
26 July 2026 · 12 min read
How to Become a Luthier: The Path to Making Violins and Cellos
A practical guide to becoming a violin or cello maker — luthier schools, apprenticeships, bench hours, and what the profession actually looks like day to day.
- 0226 Jul 2026 · 10 min
How to Choose Violin Strings: A Luthier's Guide
A practical guide to choosing violin strings: gut, synthetic and steel cores explained, plus how tension affects tone, response and playability.
- 0315 Jun 2026 · 9 min
Viola Size Guide: Chart, Measurements & How to Choose
A luthier's viola size chart with body-length measurements in inches and centimetres, plus how to size a viola by age, height and arm length — and why violas are sized differently from violins.
- 0414 Jun 2026 · 12 min
Violin & Cello Repair Costs: A Luthier's Honest Price Guide
An honest breakdown of what violin and cello repairs cost — bridge cutting, soundpost work, crack repair, peg fitting, full restorations — and how prices differ for student setup versus professional restoration.
- 0513 Jun 2026 · 11 min
How to Know If Your Violin Needs a Setup
Learn the signs your violin needs a professional setup, including high strings, slipping pegs, bridge problems, buzzing, poor tone and difficult playability.
- 0612 Jun 2026 · 10 min
How Much Does Violin Repair Cost?
What affects violin repair costs — from bridge adjustment and peg work to cracks, open seams, soundpost issues and full setup.
- 0710 Jun 2026 · 9 min
Luthier vs Music Shop: Who Should Adjust Your Violin?
Should you take your violin to a music shop or a professional luthier? Learn when a luthier is the better choice for bridge, soundpost, peg, string and setup adjustments.
- 0820 May 2026 · 7 min
Violin Bridge Placement: A Luthier's Setup Guide
How to place, align and check a violin bridge — centering between the f-hole notches, vertical alignment, and spotting warp before it ruins the sound.
- 098 Apr 2026 · 6 min
How to Choose a Cello Size: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or 4/4?
A luthier's guide to picking the right cello size for a child or adult — arm length, age guides, and how to measure properly.
- 1022 Mar 2026 · 7 min
How Much Does a Handcrafted Violin Cost? A Luthier Explains
Handmade violin prices range from €3,000 to €100,000+. Here's what actually drives the cost — wood, hours, varnish, and provenance.
- 1114 Feb 2026 · 5 min
What a Luthier Actually Does During a Violin Setup
The setup is what turns a violin into a playable instrument. Here are the seven adjustments every serious player should know about.
- 1230 Jan 2026 · 6 min
How to Choose a Cello Bow: What Actually Matters
Weight, balance, stiffness and wood — a working luthier's guide to choosing a cello bow that suits your playing.
- 1312 Jan 2026 · 7 min
How to Choose a Good Cello: A Luthier's Buying Guide
What to listen for, what to inspect and what to ignore when choosing a cello — practical advice from the workshop.
- 1414 Jun 2026 · 12 min
How to Choose a Beginner Violin: A Luthier's Guide
A luthier's guide for parents and adult beginners on how to choose a first violin — why setup matters more than brand, how to size correctly, and what to avoid.
- 1515 Jun 2026 · 12 min
Violin Bridge Problems: How to Tell If Your Bridge Needs Adjustment
Learn how to recognize common violin bridge problems, including leaning, warping, poor string height, buzzing, weak tone and when a bridge may need professional adjustment.
- 1616 Jun 2026 · 13 min
Violin and Cello Appraisal: A Practical Guide to Valuing a Fine Instrument
A luthier's guide to violin and cello appraisal — the difference between insurance and market valuations, what is examined, what provenance means, and what an appraisal typically costs.
- 1720 Jul 2026 · 11 min
Violin & Cello Humidity Guide: Seasonal Maintenance and Climate Care
A luthier's guide to violin humidity control and cello winter care — how tonewood reacts to seasonal changes, recommended hygrometers and case humidifiers, and how to tell when an instrument needs a seasonal setup adjustment.