About Us
Full service bowed instrument shop for violin, viola, cello and bass. Sales, rentals, repairs , restorations, appraisals, bow rehairing, custom modifications, accessories, consulting. Hours by appontment
How We Got Started
A lifetime musician with a passion for live music for dancing, started as a hobby while employed as an Engineer in the Aerospace industry. Studied violin making and repair summers at UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute and opened business in Boxford. Continue to play for local dances throughout the area.
The products and services we offer
Products & Services
Instrument and Bow Sales, repairs, rentals, appraisals, accessories, rehairing, restorations, custom modifications, electrification. Hours by appoi...
Repair, restoration, tonal adjustments, optimal custom setups to player preferences, cleaning, refurbishing, buying, selling, renting, appraising,...
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Recent Activity
Since my business depends on customers coming to my shop for estimates on repairs on instruments or purchases, this must be done in person. There is the alternative of going to the customer's locale. With people anxious about close contact, this is considered risky to many and contrary to public...
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Since my business depends on customers coming to my shop for estimates on repairs on instruments or purchases, this must be done in person. There is the alternative of going to the customer's locale. With people anxious about close contact, this is considered risky to many and contrary to public policy and against orders to stay closed unless in an essential business. Telephones and video conferences can only help possible future work to be done. It is at best a poor substitute with no immediate financial return. Asking customers to come to my shop by appointment wearing masks and gloves while I do the same is a reasonably safe way to interact.
The unemployment situation for many of my customers is also a factor. Rationing funds for more important expenses means fewer dollars for things like musical instruments and entertainment. My shop is full of completed repairs that some customers cannot now afford to retrieve.
Until this virus passes or is proven to be no more dangerous than past flu epidemics, we can expect further declines in the economy and reduced revenues for small businesses like mine. I am encouraging bartering of goods or services among all experts, craftsman and skilled tradesmen to alleviate problems with cash flow.
Good luck to Everybody!
1 Reply
All small businesses compete in the marketplace with similar or identical providers of products or services. Shoppers often buy on price alone if they perceive no difference in what you and your competition offers. Being distinctive can be a problem unless you and your wares stand out from the...
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All small businesses compete in the marketplace with similar or identical providers of products or services. Shoppers often buy on price alone if they perceive no difference in what you and your competition offers. Being distinctive can be a problem unless you and your wares stand out from the rest in a significant way.
For me, woodworking took the form of violin making and repair. Truly a niche specialty business, I have to compete with large established shops who can outspend me on advertising and other resources. Where I can shine is the personal connection with my customers.
Being the face of your business is your greatest asset. If your work is excellent, stand proudly behind it and display it with confidence. Make the customer feel good about trading with you. Don't sell yourself short. Price goods fairly but honestly to turn a profit. Choose the most cost-effective suppliers for raw materials and supplies without compromising quality. Take advantage of all the self-employment tax deductions available. Enlist the help of agencies who assist entrepeneurs like you with mentors or free advice. Vending at local or regional craft fairs can be helpful, especially if you can demonstrate your skills to an audience.
Newspapers and magazines are always looking for interesting and unusual stories to present to their readers. Your situation may have an angle that fits their criteria.
Ally yourself with other local small business owners and cross-promote each other. Many have built their enterprise from scratch and have experiencess to share that may keep you from making common mistakes.
Humbly and discretely exploit your connection to the Fire Service. We as FF/EMTs are held in high regard by the public. Maintain that association and sell to fellow First Responders. Public Safety publications are a good advertising venue to reach that clientele.
Good Luck, Brother!
As an EMT First Responder, I have a perspective on pre-hospital care that interfaces with hospital operations. Government intervention in any aspect of medical care has historically been less than effective. Let hospitals and Nurses establish their own policies and procedures within the rules of...
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As an EMT First Responder, I have a perspective on pre-hospital care that interfaces with hospital operations. Government intervention in any aspect of medical care has historically been less than effective. Let hospitals and Nurses establish their own policies and procedures within the rules of efficacy to meet staffing demands and optimum delivery of patient care. Arbitrary standards and limitations are counter-productive.
I have a niche business with a limited clientele from a very small market. To be successful I need to be distinctive and unique and differentiate my shop from my competition.
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I have a niche business with a limited clientele from a very small market. To be successful I need to be distinctive and unique and differentiate my shop from my competition.
You don't have to be "selling" copyrighted material from another party to be liable for infringement; Using it for any gain, monetary or otherwise, without license or permission, is against the law. If publishing that intellectual property benefits you in any way, such as enhancing your website...
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You don't have to be "selling" copyrighted material from another party to be liable for infringement; Using it for any gain, monetary or otherwise, without license or permission, is against the law. If publishing that intellectual property benefits you in any way, such as enhancing your website appearance, attracting new customers, or advancing your career or political aspirations, the creator of that material is entitled to compensation. Make sure that everybody who contributes to the success of your business gets a piece of your prosperity. Secure a proper and legal license or permission from the artist, author, composer, photographer, writer, musician, inventor before you display their work, whether for profit or not, and always give attribution to those who were creative enough to make you notice and be attracted to their creation. Never assume that anything is in the public domain and can be used for free. Be fair and honest. Maybe your lawful exposure of copyrighted materials will catapult the fortunes of everyone involved.
Entry-level jobs, especially part-time employment should be paid at rates that reflect the true value of the work performed, the local demand and supply of workers, desirability of the position and the overall strength of the economy. Minimum wages were never meant to be a "living wage". Small...
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Entry-level jobs, especially part-time employment should be paid at rates that reflect the true value of the work performed, the local demand and supply of workers, desirability of the position and the overall strength of the economy. Minimum wages were never meant to be a "living wage". Small businesses, especially family-owned, neighborhood or niche-market shops usually cannot afford to pay an arbitrarily high hourly rate. Family members often fill these positions and make these enterprises successful. The market should determine the value of labor. Government can dictate workplace rules for health and safety. Those in this country illegally must not be employed to artificially depress wages. To put things in perspective, My first part-time job paid 50 cents an hour to stack firewood. I was, as a teenager paid 4-1/2 cents a pound to pick blueberries. $1.00 an hour was fair for me at the time to pump gasoline, check oil and wash windshields. Although inflation and prices for everything have risen, the proportional value of labor has not. Reasonable pay offered for work will be answered by willing workers.
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Securing the services of highly skilled professionals for specialized repairs and restorations can be difficult and time consuming. Because there are choices for Luthiers in this area, choosing the best and most cost-effective may require more than one estimate or quote. The most expensive shop...
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Securing the services of highly skilled professionals for specialized repairs and restorations can be difficult and time consuming. Because there are choices for Luthiers in this area, choosing the best and most cost-effective may require more than one estimate or quote. The most expensive shop may not be right for the job. I will take the time to discuss the work and explain how it will be done properly for a reasonable price.
Even talented accomplished musicians often need a "day job" to sustain their lifestyle. The era of live performers at all occasions has passed into history. Disc Jockeys now are prevalent at parties and weddings, school and club dances, and of course, discos. Live musicians are now rare except...
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Even talented accomplished musicians often need a "day job" to sustain their lifestyle. The era of live performers at all occasions has passed into history. Disc Jockeys now are prevalent at parties and weddings, school and club dances, and of course, discos. Live musicians are now rare except at large concert venues with high ticket prices in big cities, headlining popular stars for whatever genre. Heavy, loud sound equipment and tunes played or sung at ear-splitting volume has replaced acoustic ensembles in small clubs and restaurants. Only the quaint "coffee houses" or church halls host opportunities to see and hear individual artists or groups in an intimate setting. Weekly and monthly folk dances offer excellent local bands for lively interactive entertainment at ridiculously reasonable prices and often feature a pot-luck supper! My urge to perform has been satisfied by playing at New England style Contra Dances. Always with live players and a dance caller, these events carry on a tradition that dates back to colonial days and features tunes from England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Scandinavia, Bluegrass, Cajun, Appalachian, Southern, and New England. Contemporary callers and instrumentalists are creating new tunes and the callers invent new sequences and figures to keep the dances from getting stale. Old favorites are still requested from the floor to balance the program. I have been fortunate to share the stage with many fine players and callers. Although the pay is often low and based on the door (attendance), it is so much fun that some of us just sit in and play for nothing. These dances give a player the exposure they need to be hired for better paying gigs, mostly private parties or bigger events and festivals. Networking through the various Folk/Ethnic/Dance communities provides many useful contacts. My vocation as a Luthier affords me a way to make a living in the music industry that is not dependent on just being a player. Some of my friends are music teachers or sound recordists. Most have occupations that are totally unrelated. The talented and persistent will always find someplace to showcase their skills and make a living!