The Stringed Instrument Company

Meet Cameron Grey, our former neighbour who runs a cabinet making workshop and helps us with many of the projects here at The Stringed Instrument Company — from custom-made cabinets to workbenches and shop fit-outs.

Previously, our bows were stored on top of cabinets, making them difficult to access. Thanks to Cameron’s latest upgrade, they are now far more accessible and much better displayed for both staff and customers.

A big thank you to Cameron and his apprentice Nico!

Long-term tradition, particularly in Germany but also in France, saw violins made with carved heads by independent woodcarvers, each with a distinctive style.

This tradition extends back to the era of the viols (15th century).

The most common design is the lion’s head, though figures such as Mozart and early violin maker Duiffoprugcar were also used.

We have examples of all three.

Another beautiful young Italian violin we have in our shop is by Gaetano Gadda, Mantova 1940.

Gaetano Gadda trained under Stefano Scarampella from 1919, working closely with him and contributing significantly to his later instruments. After Scarampella’s death in 1925, Gadda continued in his mentor’s style before developing his own more precise approach. From the 1940s, he used Guarneri-inspired violin models and Balestrieri models for cellos. His work is known for blackened chamfers on the scroll, reddish- to orange-brown varnish, and instruments often branded “G.G.”

In 1940 when this violin was made, Scarampella still exerted a huge influence on Gadda’s work, despite his death 15 years before. This can be seen in the full but elegant arching, the beautifully cut ‘f’ holes with their tapering wings, the roundness and warmth of the edges and corners, and the vigour of the scroll. The tone is brilliant and projecting, with a silvery sheen and a resonant richness on the E string. It is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity by Jacques Français.
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We currently have two fine young Italian violins by Giulio Degani in our shop.

Giulio Ettore Degani (1875–1959)
Italian violin maker, trained by his father Eugenio in Venice. After taking over the family workshop, Degani emigrated to the USA in 1915, working for Wurlitzer in New York and later independently in Atlantic City and Cincinnati. His early violins follow his father’s style, while later work shows a bolder, more personal character with flatter edges, shorter corners and stronger scrolls.

Venice 1899: This violin was made just two years before Eugenio’s death and shows the elegance and individuality Giulio shared with his father during this period. The finely carved scroll and distinctive rolled chamfers of the pegbox give this instrument strong character. Typical of Giulio’s Venetian work, the tone is clear, bell like and projecting with warmth and power across all registers. A beautiful violin for the serious player.

Venice 1903: This beautiful example of Guilio Degani’s output has all the hallmarks of his best violin making work, with the bell-like glow typical of his instruments complemented by brilliance and projection, making it a wonderful performance violin for a professional player.
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As the festive season approaches, we would like to take a moment to thank you for your continued support throughout the year!!

This photo shared here was taken at our Christmas party, where we had great fun playing “Knees up Mambo”, a piece written for The Stringed Instrument Company by Claire Scholes.

We would also like to let you know our Christmas opening hours. We will be closed from 24th December to 11th January and will reopen on 12th January.

We wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you once again and we look forward to welcoming you back in the new year :)

Love from,
The SIC team 🎶🎻

We have two new cellos in our showroom, a Unlabelled European and a Malcolm Collins! Read a little more about each below:

1. Unlabelled European Cello (late 19th century)
A late-19th-century European cello, likely from northeastern Germany in the Mirecourt style, modelled after Stradivari. Its full-length back and string length give depth and resonance, while slightly narrower bouts make it notably comfortable to play. Clear, ringing upper registers and an open, responsive tone make this an excellent choice for the advancing player.

2. Malcolm Collins No. 35, 2023
Made in 2023 by renowned New Zealand maker Malcolm Collins, this Montagnana-model cello offers a rich, open and vibrant sound across all four strings. Crafted in his 80s, it combines warmth with strong projection, making it equally suited to solo and ensemble performance.

Please feel free to come into our showroom to try them out 🎶🎻
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A Black Friday deal you never see on fine instruments…
Giovanni Lazzaro 2013 violin: $50K → $38K for 2 weeks only.
Made by one of Italy’s top contemporary makers, with a full, rich, responsive tone and a gorgeous antiqued varnish over a one-piece flamed maple back.
Opportunity like this doesn’t come twice!! 🎻🔥
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Sending all our love. All the best for the treatment!

Help NZ pianist afford cancer treatment Please help us raise funds for renowned pianist Katherine Austin to get life-saving immunotherapy cancer treatment.

https://www.thestrad.com/news/violist-donald-mcinnes-has-died-aged-85/18827.article?utm_id=31135&utm_campaign=414&utm_term=NEWSLETTER%20STORY%20THREE%20BUTTON&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra&adredir=1
I have never forgotten Don McInnes's comments to a student during a viola masterclass. "That was very nice" he said, when she'd finished playing. "There are two things you should never be able to say about a performance. One is 'nice', the other is'safe'."

Violist Donald McInnes has died, aged 85 In addition to his performance and recording career, McInnes taught extensively at institutions and festivals across the US and abroad

All our thoughts go out to our old friend and colleague, Phil Whitehead, wishing him as speedy and complication-free recovery as possible!

‘I woke up on the plane floor, in a pool of blood’ Auckland’s Philip Whitehead had expected to be home from a trip to London by now, instead he’s stuck in a Thai hospital.