When your violin, viola, cello, or double bass needs attention, the most important question isn’t what’s wrong — it’s who should work on it.
At Northland Violins, instrument repair is handled by experienced Master Luthiers at our Service Center inside Von’s Violin Shop who specialize exclusively in orchestral string instruments. Whether you searched for “luthiers near me” because a student instrument was damaged or because you found an older instrument that hasn’t been played in years, the first step is always the same: a professional evaluation by someone who understands how these instruments are built, repaired, and preserved.
An expensive instrument could be several hundred years old! Knowing that the person doing the repair can not only make the repair, but can make it invisible, is more important than you think. Any repair, will affect the instrument’s sound. The goal is to affect that sound as little as possible. We have encountered bad repairs, from decades ago, on valuable instruments. Such “butcher jobs” affect not only the instrument’s sound, but value. Our end goal, is that you get back a fully repaired instrument, with a repair that is as invisible as possible, without affecting the sound of the instrument.
Why a Master Luthier Matters for Instrument Repair
A luthier is not a general instrument technician. A luthier is trained specifically to work on bowed string instruments, understanding how wood, tension, glue, and setup all interact to affect sound and playability.
At Northland Violins, our Master Luthiers repair:
- Violins
- Violas
- Cellos
- Double basses
- Bows
From routine adjustments to complex structural repairs, every instrument is evaluated individually. We will do repairs ranging from standing up a sound post inside the instrument, which can usually be done while you wait, for little cost, to complete rebuilding of the instrument, if the age and value of the instrument warrants that.
We can’t work miracles, but we try.
What Happens When You Bring an Instrument In
When you bring your instrument to Northland Violins, one of our Master Luthiers will examine it at no charge.
During this evaluation, we look at:
- Structural condition
- Setup and playability
- Signs of damage or stress
- Previous repairs
- Whether the instrument is worth repairing
After the evaluation, you will know:
- What the instrument needs
- What the repair is expected to cost
- How long the repair should take
If additional issues are discovered once work begins—such as hidden cracks or internal damage—we will always contact you first, explain what was found, discuss any added cost, and provide an updated timeline before moving forward.
Common Repairs We See
Some of the most common repairs handled by our luthiers include:
- Open seams from temperature or humidity changes
- Bridge adjustments or replacement
- Soundpost resets
- Peg fitting and peg repair
- Fingerboard planing
- Crack repair
- Endpin and tailpiece work
- Full setup adjustments
Some repairs are simple. Others require careful, time-intensive craftsmanship. Our focus is always on what the instrument actually needs — no more, no less.
Is Every Instrument Worth Repairing?
Not always — and we believe honesty here matters.
Some instruments are poorly made and they may look right but aren’t built in a way that responds well to repair. At the turn of the 20th century, Sears sold violins as low as $1.75, made in a factory. In almost every Estate Sale today, there will be “Grandpa’s Violin” and we understand these will be Family Antiques that are priceless to you. Tens of thousands were sold all over the U.S. If the cost of repair exceeds the value or usefulness of the instrument, we will tell you plainly.
Our goal is not to sell repairs — it’s to give you accurate information so you can make the right decision.
Found an Instrument That Hasn’t Been Played in Years?
Many customers come to us after finding an instrument that’s been stored away for decades. Sometimes these instruments need only basic setup work. Other times, they require more involved repair — and sometimes they aren’t worth repairing at all.
A professional evaluation by a Master Luthier is the only reliable way to know. If it’s not worth the repair costs, we’ll tell you, for free. If it is worth repairing, we will tell what it needs, how long it should take and what the cost will be.
Our Philosophy
At Northland Violins, our approach to repair is simple:
- Honest evaluations
- Skilled craftsmanship
- Clear communication
- Fair pricing
Our primary concern is giving the customer exactly what they need — and nothing they don’t.
Bring It In — We’ll Take a Look
If you have a string instrument — whether it’s one you’ve played for years or one that was hanging on a wall at Grandma’s house — bring it in.
One of Northlands’s Master Luthiers will look at it for free. If it needs work, we’ll tell you what it needs, what it will cost, and how long it will take. If it isn’t worth repairing, we’ll tell you that too.
That’s what you should expect when searching for luthiers near you.