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- News/Events
Meet the Maker: Guillaume Kessler Sept. 2026
Guillaume Kessler is back in Los Angeles! 🎻 We’re thrilled to welcome Strasbourg-based luthier, archetier, and longtime friend of LA Violin Shop Guillaume Kessler back to our Olympic Boulevard workshop. Guillaume will be at LA Violin Shop September 1–5 and September 10–11, offering bow rehairs and repairs, instrument and bow consultations, sound optimizations, appraisals, and more. He’s also brought along a special selection of fine violins from his Strasbourg atelier, with examples by N. Vuillaume, G. Villaume, S. Scarampella, G. Gadda, Grandjon, C.A. Gand, Paul Bailly, George Ullman, A. Kloz, and others available to examine and trial during his visit. Between his LA dates, Guillaume and the LAVS team are hitting the road for Las Vegas, September 7–9, where we’ll be at Finale Center for the Arts with selections from the collection and offering appraisals, consignment opportunities, consultations, and sound optimizations. The collection and Guillaume are only here for a limited time, so don’t miss the opportunity to stop by. 📍Los Angeles: Now thru Sept. 5 + Sept. 10–11 📍Las Vegas: Sept. 7–9 📞Call 213-471-2124 to schedule an appointment for service, a consultation, or to explore the collection
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- News/Events
Back to School Sale 2026
Get ready for this upcoming year and new equipment from August 17th - August 31st, 2026. Visit us in-store (3350 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90019) to access this limited time deal! Here is a small selection of the many items that are included in this sale: 15% off all Cases DOP "CarbonFeather" Cello Case 7.5lb - Blue BAM 2002XL Hightech Contoured VN Case 10% off Rosins Leatherwood Rosin Strad Rosin 10% off String Sets Il Cannone Violin Set - Medium DYNAMO Violin String Set 4/4 10% off Shoulder Rests/Endpin Stoppers Xeros Endpin Stop Kun Collapsible Shoulder Rest 10% off Electric Violins Yamaha YEV104/105 Electric Violin Glasser Carbon Composite Acoustic Violin 4/4 w/ Passive Pickup 10% off Carbonfiber Bows CodaBow Marquise Heritage Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4
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- News/Events
Visit us in Santa Barbara July 22nd-25th, 2026!
If you'll be attending the Summer Music Festival at the Music Academy of the West, or if you're in the Santa Barbara area, we'd love to meet with you! Our team of experienced luthiers will be on-site, offering our award-winning repair and sound adjustment services by appointment. Meet Our Team Explore Our Fine Instrument Collection We'll also be bringing a curated selection of exceptional instruments from our fine violins division, LA Fine Violins. The collection will feature contemporary instruments crafted in Cremona, Italy—the historic birthplace of violin making—as well as rare examples by distinguished makers from throughout violin-making history. Whether you're searching for your next instrument or simply appreciate exceptional craftsmanship, this is a unique opportunity to experience some of the finest violins available. Event Details Music Academy of the West1070 Fairway Rd.Santa Barbara, CA 93108 Availability July 22: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM July 23–24: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM July 25: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Appointments are recommended to ensure dedicated time with our specialists. Book Now
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- LA FINE VIOLINS
Instrument Spotlight: Violin by Roger & Max Millant, Paris 1946
Violin by Roger & Max Millant, Paris 1946 Built in 1949, this violin, No. 255, was originally part of a matched quartet that was built for the "Premiers Prix/Expositions-Concours Internationaux de Lutherie Moderne" in Cremona. The brothers, Roger and Max Millant were awarded a Gold Medal for their quartet that year. It is covered in the pristine and lustrous orange-red varnish characteristic of the Millants and produces a tone that is steady and powerful in all registers. Constructed using top-flight materials, a heavily flamed and figured two piece back and similar flaming on the ribs and scroll make this violin as captivating to view as to play. This violin delivers remarkable volume and projection, with a clear, powerful tone. The upper register plays with a penetrating brilliance and shimmering quality, the middle register brings exceptional clarity, and the lower register remains crisp, articulate, and powerfully resonant. This breath-taking violin from the bench of Roger and Max Millant is in a remarkable state of health and would be a fine instrument for a discerning professional, collector, or benefactor. Written by Felix Hernandez-Jones
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Comosono Silence Practice Mute for Violin/Viola
Practice mutes are typically heavy chunks of metal that fit over the top of the bridge. This extra weight coupled with its placement reduces the vibrations being sent into the instrument and effectively kills the volume - often at the cost of any other nuances or colorings. So, what makes the Comosono Silence Mute superior to other practice mutes? The Comosono Silence Practice Mute is innovative in its placement under the strings as it prevents several issues of traditional practice mutes. Firstly, mutes that are placed over the top of the bridge can affect the length of the strings, thereby altering the tuning of the instrument. The Comosono Silence Mute is unable to alter the string length and so it allows the instrument to resonate fully without affecting the tuning/overtones. Next, the placement of mutes on top of the bridge can rub and damage the segment of the strings which cross over the bridge. The Comosono’s placement completely eliminates this issue as the mute does not come into contact with the strings at all. Finally, having the mute underneath the strings allows the player full access to the playing area - enabling techniques like sul pontecello and a clear sightline down the length of the instrument. The Comosono Silence Mute uses a ball joint clamp system to affix itself to your instrument. This mechanism prevents yet another danger of traditional practice mutes: the mute vibrating off the bridge during use and hitting the top plate of the instrument. The clamping system uses an adjustable screw that keeps the device firmly in place during intensive playing. The ball joint of the clamp provides mutes’ plate freedom to conform to the triangular shape of the bridge. This extra level of tailoring provides complete contact with the bridge for a superior muting experience. With all these features working together, the character and quality of your viola/violin is not compromised. It will retain its overtones and produce its warm voice- just at a lower volume. So if you are traveling and practicing in hotel rooms, living in an apartment with early quiet hours, or wanting to practice with a recording, then consider the Comosono Silence Practice Mute for Violin/Viola! Written by Sarah Soza
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