Modern Making

Ian Ross: the violas

Helen Wright

- 20 November 2023

A look at three violas by the brilliant Scottish maker Ian Ross.

Modern Making

Joseph Ian Ross Exhibition: 3rd - 5th November 2023

Helen Wright

- 13 October 2023

Recently, we put on an exhibition celebrating the work and life of a great Scottish luthier. Read on to find out more about Ian and to see a video of 3 of his violins!

Violin history, Violin making

F Hole Models

Tim Wright

- 17 October 2022

String instruments are usually made according to a set of characteristics known as a model. A luthier might choose to use one of four primary models (Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, Amati or Stainer), to use a slightly more unusual model, or to strike out on their own using a personal model.

Changing the strings on a string instrument

Tim Wright

- 09 February 2022

We get a lot of questions about changing strings or restringing an instrument and so have put together some advice in this blog. As always, just get in touch if you would like any further support.

Trial appointments: what should I take with me?

Helen Wright

- 13 January 2022

One of the great joys of our work is that it’s hugely varied: we get to work with everyone from very young musicians to brilliant professional players from lots of different musical traditions. This variety means that there are no hard and fast rules about what to bring along when you’re trying instruments or bows with us: hopefully this list will give you some ideas but feel free to disregard anything that doesn’t suit! In general, we suggest the following

Buying a violin

Funding your instrument: where to find help

Helen Wright

- 17 November 2021

Buying your perfect musical partner can often be a major investment. The good news is that there are a number of organisations who might be able to help. We’ve listed a number of organisations who regularly support players with the purchase of an instrument or bow. They tend to be quite specific, so it is worth doing lots of research to find one that really fits your circumstances.

Violin history, Just In

Just In: Viola by Arthur Richardson

Tim Wright

- 16 February 2021

We are delighted to share with you a viola by a great English innovator, Arthur Richardson.

Instrument maintenance

How do you clean a violin, viola or cello?

Helen Wright

- 07 February 2021

One of the questions we are asked most often is how to clean a string instrument. We have put together a little guide below: if you have any questions, feel free to put them in the comments or to send us an email.

Buying a violin

Buying a violin online: our reflections on socially-distanced instrument shopping

Helen Wright

- 28 January 2021

As many of you know, we are musicians first and foremost: removing the possibility of visiting a violin shop and playing the instruments in person felt like an obstacle that was impossible to overcome. Nearly a year on, I’m happy to tell you that our socially-distanced process has proved to be very popular and that we are confident that it represents a viable alternative to visiting us in person for as long as this is necessary.

Buying a violin

Instrumental bargains and how to find them

Tim Wright

- 25 April 2016

Our aim here at Tim Wright Fine Violins is always to source instruments which offer fantastic value for money; instruments which sound far better than their price would suggest. One top tip for those of you searching for such an instrument is to consider broadening your search to makers from less well-regarded schools.

About us

Business so far…

Tim Wright

- 20 March 2016

Blogging is on my to-do-list, somewhere above filing tax returns but lagging sadly behind anything to do with looking at beautiful instruments and bows. It’s been five months since my last communication and so it seemed like time for an update!