rachel's repair shop
'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
― Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
collection
Rachel's Repair Shop brings back to life violins and violas that have not been loved for a long time and have lost their identity as instruments, lost their ability to make music, and are beyond what would normally be economical repair. They might be loose in the joints, and very shabby, but hiding behind this shabby exterior there may be a great sounding instrument!
It was an idea born out of a frequently occurring event at the shop.
People often turn up with an old violin that has been neglected for many years, left to decay and come apart at the seams, that needs too much work to be economically viable, but is of fundamentally of a sound construction, and could be revamped with time and care. A violin is often an object which people care about. As it has made music in the past, it often evokes memories and sentiment. Often, folks want to re-home an instrument that had great sentimental value for them, but not economic value, and they care about it continuing it's life more than they do about getting money for it.
Instead of turning these violins away, we started inviting people to put them into this project, to help achieve two objectives: firstly, training our apprentice Rachel up in all matters of violin repair and set up - a way for her to practise on less valuable instruments. Secondly, to provide well set up, working instruments with some age and character for young musicians whose parents could not afford the higher price tag of a high quality instrument, or for amateur adults re-kindling an old love or taking up the instrument for the first time.
Rachel started training with us in August 2025, and we have been teaching her all aspects of set up and repair using this collection of instruments. One of the great things about this method is that we have tackled each service or repair one by one and it has given her invaluable practice, with the oversight of a much more experienced luthier. The results have been amazing! The instruments are coming out sounding and looking fabulous! We have given these instruments all names to add to the fun.
Keep checking this page weekly as we will update it regularly with Rachel's instruments and bows.
We welcome you to come and try!
It was an idea born out of a frequently occurring event at the shop.
People often turn up with an old violin that has been neglected for many years, left to decay and come apart at the seams, that needs too much work to be economically viable, but is of fundamentally of a sound construction, and could be revamped with time and care. A violin is often an object which people care about. As it has made music in the past, it often evokes memories and sentiment. Often, folks want to re-home an instrument that had great sentimental value for them, but not economic value, and they care about it continuing it's life more than they do about getting money for it.
Instead of turning these violins away, we started inviting people to put them into this project, to help achieve two objectives: firstly, training our apprentice Rachel up in all matters of violin repair and set up - a way for her to practise on less valuable instruments. Secondly, to provide well set up, working instruments with some age and character for young musicians whose parents could not afford the higher price tag of a high quality instrument, or for amateur adults re-kindling an old love or taking up the instrument for the first time.
Rachel started training with us in August 2025, and we have been teaching her all aspects of set up and repair using this collection of instruments. One of the great things about this method is that we have tackled each service or repair one by one and it has given her invaluable practice, with the oversight of a much more experienced luthier. The results have been amazing! The instruments are coming out sounding and looking fabulous! We have given these instruments all names to add to the fun.
Keep checking this page weekly as we will update it regularly with Rachel's instruments and bows.
We welcome you to come and try!
rachel's repair shop collection
Currently available:
Genevieve. British made violin, maybe around 1980, Orange varnish, Pirastro Tonica strings, ebony pegs
£800
Elsie. German Trade Viola, 390mm (15 ¼ inches), Golden brown varnish, Jargar Classic Strings, ebony pegs
£800
Philibert. French Trade Violin, Reddish varnish, Pirastro Tonica Strings, ebony pegs
£850
Polly. Violin Bow, Has some age to it, Black and White striped Whalebone lapping, fiddlers hair.
£100
Fred. Violin Bow, contemporary brazil wood, silver coloured lapping, leather grip, silver quality re-hair.
£50
Genevieve. British made violin, maybe around 1980, Orange varnish, Pirastro Tonica strings, ebony pegs
£800
Elsie. German Trade Viola, 390mm (15 ¼ inches), Golden brown varnish, Jargar Classic Strings, ebony pegs
£800
Philibert. French Trade Violin, Reddish varnish, Pirastro Tonica Strings, ebony pegs
£850
Polly. Violin Bow, Has some age to it, Black and White striped Whalebone lapping, fiddlers hair.
£100
Fred. Violin Bow, contemporary brazil wood, silver coloured lapping, leather grip, silver quality re-hair.
£50
coming soon!
Archie. German Trade violin. circa 1900. Dark Brown Varnish, Pirastro Tonica Strings, ebony pegs. This violin has a slightly shorter neck than normal. Rachel will be giving it a new fingerboard, new nut, peg bushings and new pegs, bridge, soundpost and more....
c. £750
Evie. German Trade Violin. circa 1880. Dark Brown Varnish. This violin has a soundpost crack, so Rachel will be taking off the front and giving it a sound post patch will will mean it is secure for another few decades at least. It will then have a full set up and entirely new fittings.
c. £800
Camilla. Camilla is an early twentieth century violin, possibly French or English. We are not sure. She has a lovely shape. Camilla has sadly had her varnish stripped for some unknown reason, and has a couple of little wing cracks that Rachel will repair. She is a lovely instrument with good measurements and will make a lovely sound. As with all of these neglected instruments she will need new ebony fittings and a new bridge and sound post.
c. £900