Resources

• January 17, 2025

How to Restring your Intrument

      You’ve learned how to tune with fine-tuners and maybe you’ve started to tune using the pegs, but have you ever restrung your instrument? If string breaks and a teacher isn’t    around to help you, you might miss out on valuable practice time or performance opportunities. Knowing how to change your strings is an important skill and makes you a more capable musician. Here’s what you need:  New strings (E, A, D, G, or C) Tuning peg winder (if instrument uses gear pegs)    Soft cloth + cleaning cloth  Pencil     Prepare your work space by placing a soft cloth under the body and scroll - this will protect the varnish and soften any bumps that might happen. Use your cleaning cloth to remove any excess rosin from the strings, fingerboard, and body.  Now, work on one string at a time. This will help prevent string mixups, the bridge moving out of place, and worst of all, the sound-post falling inside the instrument. If you accidentally put a string on the wrong peg or mess with the bridge placement, this can be easily fixed by yourself. The sound post falling, however, will need the hands of a professional luthier and not even your teacher will be able to help with that.  Unwind your first string by turning the peg towards you (counter-clockwise). Pull string out from the small hole in the peg shaft and slide out the ball end from the tailpiece. Wind this string up for further use or throw it away if broken. 2. Use your sharpened pencil to mark the grooves at the nut and at the bridge. This acts as a lubricant for the strings. If your pencil graphite doesn’t fit into the grooves, sharpen it! It may be too blunt to fit. 3. Rotate the peg so that the small hole in the shaft faces outward toward you. Thread the silk end through the hole in the peg. If it hits the back and continues up into the pegbox, then you’ve threaded it too far.  4. Wrap the string once by turning the peg away from you. The first wrap should be on the tapered end of the shaft (opposite of the peg-head) while the rest will fall closer to the peg-head and the pegbox wall. Make sure the winds are neat and even as you progress. By winding, you will bring tension, and eventually pitch, to the string. 5. Fit the ball end into its slot in the tailpiece and pull in the direction of the bridge to seat it. Some tailpieces are tight enough where it will hold the string without tension while others require it to be strung at the peg first. If it keeps slipping out, don’t worry about it  6. Turn the peg away from you (clockwise) while applying inward pressure. Imagine a corkscrew motion. If you’ve applied enough inward pressure, then the peg will remain in place and will not slip. If the pegs continue to slip or change pitch, try it again with more force. This method will not be applicable to gear-peg owners as the pegs have been installed by a luthier.  6. As the string comes under tension, guide the string into the pencil-mark grooves at the nut and the bridge.  7. Bring the string to an approximate pitch, it will change pitch while you work on the other strings so there’s no need to get it perfect. 8. Repeat with the remaining strings.  Once you have changed all the strings, use your fine tuners to bring to a more precise pitch. New strings will continue to stretch for about a week and will require tuning every time you play until they've settled.   If you notice that your bridge is no longer standing perpendicular to the instrument but is standing slanted or tilted, you must straighten it. This tilted bridge occurs when you pull the strings under tension all at once. It’s dangerous to leave it be as the weight of the strings can cause it to snap in half, forcing a costly repair.    To Fix a Titled Bridge  Grip the top of the bridge with your fingertips and incrementally pull it back, away from the scroll. If you’ve marked the bridge with a pencil, this process will be smoother. After you return it to an upright position and its feet are flat on the instrument surface, you must tune the instrument.  2. If you notice that your bridge is now crooked, or has shifted to the side, slowly reduce the string tension (but not so loose that the bridge falls off) and shift the bridge to the proper location. Increase the string tension and take care to correct any titling bridge.    Written by: Sarah Soza

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• January 10, 2025

Violin, Viola & Cello Size Guide

What size string instrument do you require? Refer to our size guides to determine the correct size for you. Instruments & Size Guide Violin Size 1/16 1/10 1/8 1/4 1/2 3/4 4/4 Viola Size 11" 12" 13" 14" 15" 15.5" 16" 16.5" Age 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 9-11 11+ and adult 11-13 13+ 14+ Arm Length (Inch) 14" 15"- 16" 17"- 19" 19"- 20" 21"– 23" 22"– 24" 23" + 25"- 26" 25.5"-26.5" 26"- 27" 27" +   Cello Size 1/8 1/4 1/2 3/4 4/4 Age 5-6 6-7 8-10 11-13 14+ and adult Height (Feet) 3' - 3' 6'' 3' 6" - 4' 4' - 4' 6'' 4' 6'' - 5' 5' + Arm Length (Inch) 16" - 18" 18" - 20" 20" - 22" 22" - 24" 24" +

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• Headshot
• News/Events
• October 11, 2024

Professional Musician & Instrument Headshots

Musician's Headshot Your face is part of your personal brand. A modern, expressive musician's headshot is essential for: Artist bios and concert programs Audition materials Websites and social media profiles Music school applications Press kits and promotional materials We tailor each session to suit your musical identity — whether you're going for classic, creative, or contemporary. Instrument Headshot Sometimes, it’s not just about the player — it’s about the instrument. Capture elegant portraits of you with your violin, cello, viola, or bow. These shots are perfect for: Maker features or luthier portfolios Ensemble websites Personal websites or teaching studios Instagram and print media We take the time to highlight the beauty of your instrument — lighting, angles, and mood included. About the Photographer Our photographer has extensive experience working with musicians, understanding how to capture their energy and artistry in a relaxed, encouraging environment. You don’t need to worry about posing — we’ll guide you every step of the way to make sure your personality and confidence shine through. Pricing Session Type Duration Deliverables Price Musician Headshot (Solo) 30 minutes 4 retouched images $199 Musician Duo Session (2 people) 60 minutes 8 retouched images (shared) $300 Instrument  45 minutes 5 retouched images $299 Additional Images — Per retouched image $25 each All sessions include high-resolution digital files delivered via private Email. Book Your Session Scheduling is easy. Click the link below to view available time slots and book your session online: 👉 Make an Appointment Follow Us on Instagram See examples of recent sessions, behind-the-scenes, and client transformations: 👉 @laviolinshop.photo

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• Archet LA
• News/Events
• October 11, 2024

Archet LA 2022 Contemporary Bow Exhibition: A Celebration of Craft and Community

We mark our first annual Archet LA Contemporary Bow Exhibition, and we’re proud to host it at both the Colburn School and our flagship LA Violin Shop location in Koreatown. It’s exhilarating to welcome some of the finest bow makers—both longtime friends and new faces—to participate in this special event. We are truly honored to present such remarkable works of art by today’s leading archetiers. From their craftsmanship to their artistic vision, these bows represent the highest standards in contemporary bow making. Archet LA aims to help musicians, collectors, and students form deeper connections—with their equipment, with the makers behind the tools they use, and with one another. This is just the beginning. Archet LA will continue, and we hope it grows each year—welcoming even more makers, musicians, and lovers of the craft. Special thanks go to the Colburn School, and to every maker who participates and brings this exhibition to life. And of course, thank you to each and every one of you for joining us and supporting this meaningful celebration.

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• October 11, 2024

General Care and Maintenance

Treat Your Instrument WellThink of your instrument like a person. Just as you wouldn’t leave a person in a hot or cold car, avoid leaving your instrument in extreme temperatures. Winter: Cold can cause cracks. Summer: Heat can melt varnish or weaken glue. Temperature Changes: Rapid shifts from hot to cold or dry to humid can cause serious damage. Soundpost CareInside string instruments is a small wooden stick called the soundpost. It helps transfer vibrations and keeps the top of the instrument from caving in. If the soundpost falls, loosen the strings immediately to prevent damage. Humidity MattersWhen traveling to dry areas, use a damp-it or case humidifier to keep the wood from drying out and cracking. Regular humidification is only necessary if you live in a low-humidity area. Bridge MaintenanceThe bridge must stay perpendicular to the body of the instrument. When tuning, it may lean toward the scroll side. If it warps, it will need to be replaced. A warped bridge can lead to serious damage, so monitor its position closely.   Cleaning Your InstrumentAfter playing, wipe off excess rosin with a soft cloth. If rosin builds up, it can damage the varnish and affect sound quality. Avoid household cleaners, especially alcohol, as they can ruin the varnish. The only safe cleaner is Simple Green, which is safe for strings and varnish. Never use furniture polish, as it often contains harmful ingredients. Avoid StickersDo not place stickers on the body of the instrument. It’s okay to use them on the neck and fingerboard, but they can severely damage the varnish on the body. String ReplacementStrings should be replaced when they sound false, unwind, or break. Consult your teacher if you're unsure. As a beginner, let your teacher handle tuning to avoid breaking strings. When ordering new strings, know your preferred brand and which specific strings you need. Check the Bridge When TuningAlways check the bridge for warping while tuning. It should form a 90-degree angle with the top of the instrument. If it’s warped, take it to your teacher or a violin shop for adjustment. Bow CareAlways loosen the horsehair on the bow before putting it away. If you’re getting a rehair, let the luthiers know if you’ll be traveling to a different climate, as they consider humidity levels when adjusting bow hair length.

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