For three generations, our family has been bringing string instruments back to their full voice here in Kleinmond. Not with off-the-shelf methods, but with an understanding of every individual piece of wood.
Discover our workshop
A crack is rarely just a crack. The tension in the wood, the humidity of the past few months (and on the Overberg coast that means salt air and a dry summer south-easter), the way the instrument has been played – it all tells a story.
Many workshops treat the symptoms. We look for the cause.
Every instrument is made of a living material. We analyse grain direction, seasoning and past work on the instrument before we so much as pick up a tool.
Modern adhesives set fast. Hide glue lasts for generations and can be released without leaving a trace. For us, that is not a question of convenience but of responsibility.
After every structural repair we test how the instrument resonates. A technically perfect crack repair can still leave the tone dead if the finishing work is skipped.
Every job is quoted individually. The guide prices below give you a first idea of what to expect.
Complete overhaul including top removal, crack repair, varnish refresh and tonal optimisation
Rib repair, neck reset, soundpost adjustment and string-height optimisation
Annual inspection with fingerboard dressing, peg fitting and surface care
Rib cracks, open top seams and bass-bar replacement, followed by tonal adjustment
Replacement of the horsehair with frog cleaning and tension check
Careful restoration of damaged varnish while preserving the original material
"My 1887 violin had a broken bass bar. Three workshops advised me to have it replaced with a standard one. Here the original bar was reconstructed – and you can hear the difference."
– Lindiwe M., chamber musician, Stellenbosch
Tell us briefly what your instrument needs. We will get back to you within two working days with an initial assessment, and can arrange drop-off at the workshop or courier collection anywhere in the Western Cape.
The services shown on this website relate to the hand-crafted maintenance and restoration of musical instruments. Results may vary depending on the condition of the instrument. The prices shown are guide prices and are confirmed after an individual inspection. This information does not replace professional advice from a luthier.