As well as my own instruments, I am very pleased to represent some of the country’s leading makers, and often have examples of the following makers: Yann Besson, William John, John Cockburn, Ian McWilliams and many more. I also have a close connection to Newark and Merton violin making schools, and as a result, can offer handmade instruments by up and coming makers at very reasonable prices.

I have a number of trade French and German instruments for sale as well as modern Chinese outfits suitable for students looking for something to take them through their grades and beyond. A full list of my current inventory of instruments for sale is printed at the end of the newsletter.

A wide range of strings and accessories are available from the workshop, and are sold at internet prices.

Featured instruments

A fine contemporary viola by Steffen Nowak
I am very pleased to offer for sale a 16 1/2 inch viola by the respected German born maker Steffen Nowak. Steffen studied at the Welsh School of Violin making and has over thirty years experience as one of the country’s finest makers. The viola I have for sale is after the Brescian maker Gaspar da Salo. The lightly shaded varnish of a golden orange colour. The well seasoned tonewoods used for this viola are a deeply figured one piece back with matching ribs of East European maple, the front of Italian spruce. This fine viola is available for £12,500. Please feel free to make an appointment to try this wonderful instrument for yourself. You will not be disappointed! I am also very pleased to have another of Steffen’s fine instruments for sale, a beautiful Strad copy violin.

A violin, after Carlo Bergonzi
In the autumn of 2010 I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the wonderful exhibition on Carlo Bergonzi, held in Cremona, the home of violin making. This coincided with another fortunate event, the acquisition of a complete set of moulds for an early period Bergonzi. Plaster moulds are often made during major restoration work and are an invaluable guide to the arching of the instrument and precise shape of the scroll. Other valuable information can be revealed such as the cut of the f holes, corners and even the thickness of the purfling. The violin illustrated has been lightly antiqued, which shows the variety and depth of colour in the beautiful oil varnish. Every aspect of the original makers idiosyncrasies have been painstakingly reproduced, from the elegant and distinctive scroll to the specific wood used to make the purfling. The sound is rich and evenly balanced across the strings, and its tone will only improve with age. It is currently for sale, and potential buyers are welcome to try the instrument for a two week approval period.

About Carlo Bergonzi (1683–1747)
In comparison to his contemporaries Antonio Stradivari and Guarneri “Del Gesu,” Carlo Bergonzi’s output is very low. His close association with the Rugeri family was certainly a great influence on him and indeed his work. Considering the great makers he lived amongst, it is remarkable that he was able to establish a very individual style of his own , in particular the shape of the scroll, f holes and body outline. Without doubt his finest work ranks alongside those of his peers. Indeed it seems likely that certain aspects of his making, such as the shape of his scrolls, were an influence on Born 1683 died 1747 In comparison to his contemporaries Antonio Stradivari and Guarneri “Del Gesu,” Carlo Bergonzi’s output is very low. His close association with the Rugeri family was certainly a great influence on him and indeed his work. Considering the great makers he lived Del Gesu’s later work. Bergonzi maintained a close relationship with the Stradivari family, eventually inheriting the workshop of Antonio. Despite his sons continuing to make after his death in 1747, his passing marked the end of the golden period of Cremonese making.

£10,000-£20,000

Cello by William John £19,000 DONE – PRICES AT END

£5000- £10,000

Violin by Steffen Nowak £10,000
Violin by J P Larkman 2011 after Carlo Bergonzi £7000
Violin by John Cockburn £6500
Violin by Matt Hannafin £5000
Viola by William John 2003 after Maggini 16 1/4 £8500

£500-£2000

French violin c1900. £1800
French violin Salvador, made in the workshops of Jerome Thibouville Lamy c1900. £1600
Caussin school violin c1900. £1400
3/4 Dulce et Fortis violin, made in the workshops of Jerome Thibouville Lamy, c1890. £1300