Services

NOTICE: I am currently only taking in bow rehairs (no other instrument repair work)

Bows can be dropped with me on a Monday mornings between 9:00–12:00, and it will be ready to collect the following Monday morning. To book your drop off, email hello@hardyviolins.co.uk with your preferred time.

Other slots can usually be accommodated if your schedule doesn’t align with the above.

PRICE LIST

Other services are available and can be quoted for upon seeing the instrument. Prices are an initial guide only.

Bow Repair & Maintenance

I also carry out bow work by post, please get in touch for more information.

  • Bow rehair + clean/polish: £75-85 violin/viola | £80-95 cello

    If your bow has been rehaired by me before, you will be charged the lower end of the price quotation.

    If your bow has never been rehaired before the price may be on the higher end of the spectrum, as bows straight from the manufacturer often require additional work to make them rehair-able.

    I use highest quality bow hair from Michael T Sowden, the last person in Europe to be using the traditional and far superior preparation methods of bow hair. Sowden bow hair is considered the world's finest and is used by violinists and in top orchestras around the globe.

  • Bow thumb grip replacement: £20

  • Bow lapping replacement either in silk, whale bone imitation or silver.

    Prices £85+ depending on your requirements.

    This includes ‘bow balancing’, as the lapping affects the balance point of your bow and replacing the lapping is a good opportunity to adjust or correct this.

  • Clean and polish of the bow stick and frog.

    £30

 

Violin / Viola / Cello Repair & Maintenance

  • This health check service includes:

    • Check over of your instrument, guidance will be given on any additional work that may be recommended

    • Instrument clean and wax

    • String change (not inc. price of strings)

    • Adjustment of tailgut length for optimum sound

    • Adjustments to soundpost and bridge positions if required

    • Glue up of any open seams or small cracks

    • Adjustments to bridge and nut slots if the strings have eaten into the wood

    • Peg servicing to ensure they’re turning smoothly

      Violin/viola/cello £100-250

      Your final price will be adjusted to reflect how much of the work is needed

  • Clean £50+
    For instruments that have a lot of dirt/rosin build up. This is charged per hour and I will be able to quote based on seeing the instrument.

  • A good quality, correctly fitted bridge that is maintained well by the player will last many years, and greatly improves the playability and sound of your instrument.

    £180 violin/viola | £285 cello

  • Slightly warped bridges can be steam flat as a temporary stop gap before replacement. String heights and curvature of the bridge can also be adjusted.

    Prices for these services vary depending on how much needs doing, but generally cost £35-45.

  • The soundpost is an essential element of your instruments ability to produce a good tone. It is important that it fits correctly to get the most out of the instrument and that it not be too tight and thus cause cracks. The fitting of each soundpost will be bespoke to the shape of your instrument, and so the time required to carry out the work varies.

    Soundpost reset/adjustment: £35

    New soundpost fitting: £60-100

  • Slipping and sticking pegs are irritating to use, but they can be adjusted or replaced to make your life easier.

    Adjustment: £10-15 per peg

    New set of traditional wooden pegs + fitting: Violin £110+ | Cello £140+
    Different peg options are available which affect the price.

    New set of finetuner pegs + fitting: Violin £155+ | Cello £170+
    Different options are available which may affect the price.

  • If you have an old violin that hasn’t been played in a while, I can get it up and running again.

    £300+

  • If you’ve recently bought a violin online, it is likely to need adjustments so that your child can play comfortably. Price dependent on work required but usually £55-200.

  • Over time fingerboards develop grooves and bumps from the string/finger pressure which can result in buzzes. In these cases the fingerboard can be planed back to a smooth surface again.

    Violin £70 | Cello £70-90

  • The nut affects string spacing and playability. This can be adjusted or replaced if necessary.

    Violin £70 | Cello £75

  • Popular with folk players, the LR Baggs pickup is a miniature vibration sensor cast directly into a Superieur Despiau “Two Tree” maple bridge for maximum sensitivity and signal transfer.

    Please note, you will need to factor in the additional cost of the pickup itself (please purchase it separately and bring to the appointment with your instrument).

    £190 for the bridge and pickup fitting service (materials not included)