In NYC, where can I get a violin CHEAPLY looked over and serviced?

June 13, 2007 3:00 PM

In NYC, where can I get a violin CHEAPLY looked over and serviced?

Anywhere in the five boroughs. Not looking for the "best" shop -- I can't afford it. Probably looking for the friendly repairperson with the little basement office in your outer-borough neighborhood.

This is a student-quality violin I just got (used / very cheap). It seems fine structurally and it sounds surprisingly good, but its tuning pegs need attention because they're all either sticking or slipping, and I bet it needs a general checkup. I'm not a violin student looking to play seriously, just a composer who wanted a string instrument on hand to experiment with techniques & effects.

If you recommend anybody, opinions would be great (e.g., "I've used this place and highly recommended it" / "I heard this place is good but I haven't been there" / etc.). In case it matters, I won't need this done til mid-July.

Thanks!

posted by allterrainbrain to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

sticking pegs can be shaved down in a cheap tool that looks like a pencil sharpener

there are drops availiable that will expand slipping pegs as well

just in case you are a diy head
posted by weaponsgradecarp at 6:06 PM on June 13, 2007

Thanks! The opinions I found seemed to be split between "pegs can be fixed" and "don't mess with the pegs unless you know what you're doing."

Since I have no experience with string inst. care, I feel like getting a checkup from a pro (my string-playing friends are out of town for the summer... possibly I'll just wait til they get back).
posted by allterrainbrain at 7:13 PM on June 13, 2007

I personally can't think of anything but I'd suggest heading over or e-mail students/professors at Julliard. Maybe there's some flyer on a board that offers cheap, reliable repairs or maybe there's someone on staff that can help you?
posted by spec80 at 9:07 PM on June 13, 2007

For sticking pegs, try chalk or some lye soap. The official youth symphony solution (according to my conductor.) The pegs are going to slip and stick every time the weather makes a big change, so it's totally worth figuring that one out yourself.

As far as giving it a once over, for a student violin, you can probably make it until your string playing friends get back.

For now, check and make sure the sound post is up (that little rod on the inside) and make sure the bridge seems straight, and you should probably be okay to learn and make some noise for a few months.
posted by lastyearsfad at 11:23 PM on June 13, 2007

you can get peg preparation (here in the UK there's Hill's Peg Preparation - A Composition for Pegs that have Ceased to Run Smoothly aka Brown Goo) which helps with slipping pegs. My pegs (viola) are sticking more than usual at the moment, just because the weather is getting warmer (plus it's quite humid here).

Can't help with a specific recommendation, but just to reassure you that if that's the only thing that's wrong, it sounds it's not a super-urgent situation.
posted by altolinguistic at 4:03 AM on June 14, 2007

There are a number of different musical instrument and repair shops on 48th between sixth and seventh.

I don't recall offhand if any do string repairs... but with a number of retail places close together you could at least get a couple of different referrals.
posted by Jahaza at 5:04 AM on June 14, 2007

(That's in Manhattan, btw)
posted by Jahaza at 5:04 AM on June 14, 2007