Where can I go for violin, viola or cello repairs?
I don't repair instruments myself, so I get asked a lot: "Is there anyone you'd recommend for instrument repairs? My violin/viola/cello needs [insert issue here]."
Luckily, I know quite a few excellent luthiers and restorers. As you can imagine, I haven't met every restorer in the UK, nor have I seen the work of everyone based here — so please don't take this as the definitive list of the best restorers in the country. Think of it more as a guide: people I've met, whose work I've seen firsthand, and who I feel genuinely comfortable recommending. Right now the list skews heavily London-based, but I hope to add more restorers and shops outside the capital over time.
Stringers of London – Marylebone, London
www.stringerlondon.com
I worked at Stringers of London for eight years, so I can say with confidence that they're an excellent retail shop with a fantastic onsite workshop. They're very busy thanks to their well-earned reputation, which means there can be wait times for repairs — so it's worth calling ahead before taking anything in. Their busiest months run from August to October, when four-to-six-week waits for repairs aren't uncommon.
Antoni Ruschil – Finsbury Park, London
www.ruschil.com
I got to know Antoni during his time in the Stringers of London workshop. A graduate of the Newark Violin Making School, he's a fantastic restorer and luthier. He's busy — his output speaks for itself — but if you're in north London, he's well worth contacting for an assessment.
Iris Carr – Woodbridge, Suffolk
www.iriscarrrestorations.com
The only restorer on this list I don't know personally, but her reputation precedes her. She's one of the most sought-after restorers in the world, let alone the UK. Every other restorer and luthier seems desperate to attend her in-person "Varnish Course" if they haven't already — and her online courses are just as highly regarded within the industry. You may well have seen Iris's work without knowing it; it's often impossible to tell apart from the original.
Philippe Briand – Canterbury, Kent
www.canterburyviolins.com
I met Philippe while working at Stringers, and his work always impressed me. His varnish work in particular is exceptional — he even sells his own range of instrument varnishes. He's freelanced for most of the shops in London and is spoken of highly across the industry. These days he runs his own workshop in Canterbury.
I expect this list will grow over time, the UK is fortunate to have such a wealth of talented restorers and luthiers. So check back regularly!