Frequently Asked Questions

Is it important to have regular check-ups for my instrument or bow? Overall health and condition greatly effect the value, playability and tone quality of an instrument. The goal of Claire Givens Violins is to provide expert information and professional restoration in order to maintain the best sound and response of an instrument or bow. It is important to realize that even changes in humidity and the change of season can negatively effect the instrument.

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Other than tone quality, what factors should be taken into consideration before purchasing a new instrument? Health, condition and quality of craftsmanship should also be considered. There may be problems with an instrument that an untrained eye cannot detect. Our shop goes to great lengths to ensure that every instrument and bow we sell is in top condition. Craftsmanship is assessed by examination of such things as quality of wood, the instrument's measurements, varnish quality, graduations and neck angle. Such judgment requires an educated and practiced eye.

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How is the price of an instrument or bow determined? Factors that contribute to determining the selling price of an instrument or bow include the maker's reputation and level of expertise; health and condition of the instrument or bow; workmanship; quality of materials used; world market prices; and sound/playability. Claire Givens and Andrew Dipper have a combined 65 years of experience in the marketplace and maintain a high level of market expertise via research and professional memberships.

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How do I choose a shop when I need repairs or adjustments? Repair quality has a significant effect on the sound, health, value and marketability of an instrument or bow. Poor repair can often do more harm than good. Choose a shop with a professionally trained staff and a good reputation among music professionals (players and teachers). Professionally trained makers are trained in repair, restoration and construction, and serve as apprentices with experienced makers. A college, conservatory or university with a good string program may be able to refer you to a shop or individual repair person. In the U.S., you can contact the Violinmaking School of America (VMSA) in Salt Lake City to see if they have any graduates working in your area. The current staff at Claire Givens Violins includes three graduates of the four-year VMSA program and one from the Mittenwald School. Vice President, Andrew Dipper trained in Cremona, Italy and England.

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What can I do to maintain the health of my instrument and bow? Keep the bow or instrument properly humidified (50% is ideal). Keep the instrument or bow clean of fingerprints and rosin by cleaning with a soft cloth after each use. Make sure the bridge is kept straight (we are happy to assist you with that). When not in use, lessen the tension on the bow.

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Why do instruments sometimes suffer open bouts and cracks? It does NOT mean that there is a defect with the wood. Dry weather (low humidity) can cause the glue holding the bouts closed to let go. Cracks and open bouts will affect the tone of the instrument and should be re-glued immediately. An open bout is the instrument's way of dealing with dryness and is better than having a crack develop. If a crack should form, it could be quite dangerous to continue to play the instrument. If you suspect a crack, bring it in immediately!

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How do "used" instruments or bows compare with new in terms of value? If properly maintained, a fine instrument or bow will actually increase in value (appreciate) over time. Unlike purchasing a new car, a high-quality, well-maintained instrument will not depreciate.

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Why do I have to keep having my violin adjusted? As each instrument leaves our workshop, it is adjusted to sound its best at that moment in time. However, a violin is made from many individual parts and several different types of wood. Wood, being a porous material, is sensitive to changes in atmosphere, temperature and especially humidity. As each part of the violin expands or contracts at a different rate, factors like the neck angle or the tightness of the soundpost are affected, which in turn will influence the quality of the sound.

Another cause for an instrument being 'out of adjustment' is the bridge being moved during daily use, either while the player is straightening it or through it being accidentally knocked. Even a small movement of the bridge can have a large impact on the sound and response of an instrument, so often a small adjustment is all that is needed to restore your violin to its former beauty of tone.

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Do you have special package prices? Each instrument, bow or case is sold separately. We do offer a 3.5% prompt pay discount for payments by cash or check. We also offer a 10% discount on a case if you purchase an instrument and bow.

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Do you rent instruments and bows? We do not have a rental program. However, we do offer a 100% trade-in policy for any instrument or bow purchased at Givens Violins.

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What brands and sizes of cases do you carry? We carry a good selection of cases for violins, violas and cellos. For violins we carry Bobelock, Bam, Weber, Musafia*, Riboni and Meisel cases. We carry fractional sizes for violin in the Bobelock cases down to 1/4 size. Smaller sizes are available upon request.**

For violas we carry Bobelock, Bam, Weber and Musafia* cases. These cases are available in a variety of sizes. Bobelock and Weber make adjustable models.**

For cellos we carry Bobelock, Weber, Hiscox, Gewa and Bam cases. We also carry cello bags by Mooradian, Reunion Blues, Cushy and Cavallero.

We also carry a full line of bow cases by Bobelock.

*Authorized Musafia Dealer

**We also carry case covers by Mooradian, Cavallero and Cushy.

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Why do I need a new pearl eye or pearl slide on my bow? It's just for decoration, isn't it? While a pearl slide is a beautiful fixture, it has an important function in holding the bow hair in the frog. The slide needs to fit properly so it can be removed and replaced when your bow is rehaired. The surface of the slide should line up with the surrounding ebony for the protection of the ebony. If the pearl becomes cracked or worn away, the ebony edge on either side of the slide can become rounded. In addition to being a difficult additional repair, this ebony damage can affect the value of your bow.

Although pearl eyes have only an aesthetic function, worn, cracked or missing pearl eyes can lead to the same type of ebony damage as that of a worn slide.

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How do I know when my bow needs rehairing? There are several signs which indicate it is time to have your bow hair replaced. A most obvious sign is that of missing hairs. Most commonly hairs break from the playing side edge. Continuing to play on a bow that has many hairs missing from one side can not only cause the bow to respond less effectively but can bring on or aggravate warping of the stick.

Should you find yourself using more rosin than usual and not getting enough grip on the strings, it is time to change the hair. As a rule of thumb, most players find they need a rehair at least once a year.

It is important to have your bow rehaired when the hair is too long or short. Hair length can change drastically with the change of seasons and humidity levels. It is important not to force a bow you are having trouble tightening or loosening; bring it to the shop before further damage occurs. Ignoring a bow in this condition can lead to damage of the inner working parts of the bow, specifically the eyelet, and may cause cracks in the butt of the bowstick.

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Why should I have my leather thumb grip replaced? It's comfortable the way it is worn down. The leather thumb grip and the metal, plastic or whalebone winding beneath it play an important role in protecting the bow stick from the abuse of playing. Depending on your bow hold and body chemistry, holding the bare wood of your bow can cause the wood to be worn away, thus weakening the stick and affecting the bow's value. Some players are advised to have the butt of the stick (above the frog) covered with leather or a special clear tape to protect both the wood and the bow's stamp.

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There is a piece of my bow tip plate missing. Is it important? The ivory, bone or plastic plate seen on most bows functions as an important protection for the delicate wooden tip end of the stick. It is lined with ebony or fiber for added protection. Any crack in the wood of the stick in this area can quickly render a bow useless and/or valueless. The tip plate is your bow's first line of defense against this type of damage. A crack in this tip plate can in some cases continue through the lining into the bow wood if left unrepaired. A missing portion of the tip plate leaves the bow tip extremely vulnerable to damage from the slightest tap against any object.

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My bow's frog is cracked. Should I be concerned? The cause of many cracked frogs is a "wobbly" frog. Such a condition is due to a poorly adjusted eyelet or enlarged screw pilot hole. Such cracks can affect your bow's value and are best repaired early. Correcting the cause of the wobbly frog situation can minimize the potential for such cracks. Frog cracks can easily progress from one end of the frog to the other, resulting in a piece falling off completely. This is a serious situation, especially when loose pieces are lost.

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