Kenmore Violins Services

l New making

l Rentals

l Repairs

Commission a new instrument. Select your wood from our extensive collection, choose the model you want, tell us the appearance of the varnish that you favor. Our wish is to offer you a truly inspired instrument, to help you play music that is truly inspired. ñ

Rentals

Kenmore Violins has introduced a line of rental instruments with an emphasis on quality and sound. These are selected and setup by a professional violin maker. Terms are friendly (two-month minimum, then month-to-month) and 80% of rental payments can apply to purchase. These instruments are appropriate for young students and adults. Fractional sizes start at 1/8 violin, 13” viola, and ½ cello.

Our new fleet of instruments are mostly Romanian-made Euro and Gliga, with high-quality strings (D’Addarrio, Pirastro or Thomastik), and hand-carved bridges. Full-size violins come with German Wittner tailpieces with built-in tuners (Perfection Planetary Pegs are an option). Bows are properly made (often German Dörfler, restored older German, or Glasser carbon fiber). Cases are by Core, West Coast, or Bobelock.

Our rental program is of modest scale so that we can guarantee fine quality and careful attention to customers’ needs. Supplies are limited!

Repairs

Featuring careful bow rehairs using premium hair (even on student bows) and skilled setup (bridge, post, strings) of violin, viola, cello, and bass. In addition, we have more than 15 years experience in repairing cracks, open seams, neck adjustments, and finish retouching. We have done special projects such as left-hand violin conversions, and work on ethnic instruments such as Hardanger fiddles and other valuable historic instruments.

No job is too big or too small. "Impossible" jobs are welcome--we've seen it all! Discounts are available for school district instruments. ñ

Restorations

We have extensive experience in full restoration of older violins, violas, and celli. Please bring instrument/bow to shop for free estimate. All recommended work will be fully explained. You will be informed if our judgment is that the instrument is not worth restoring. ñ

Tonal Adjustments

We do a careful examination, and then suggest modifications to improve the tone of your instrument. Initially we might suggest low-impact changes to the bridge, soundpost, strings, and other parts of the setup. Generally improving the setup is sufficient. Rarely, more advanced internal modifications, such as a new bass bar, are necessary to attain good results. ñ