Here are some violin shops we know and trust:

USA

Fiddlershop: http://www.fiddlershop.com/
Mail order violins, instruments and accessories

UK

As you can imagine, we see hundreds of violins pass through the doors of ViolinSchool each year, and for our London students, a lot of time and energy is spent ensuring that violins are in tip top condition.

This page will give you the low-down on all the violin shops in London. We are in contact with most of London’s violin shops, but  we maintain complete impartiality. By listening to the feedback from you, our students, we are constantly monitoring the quality and integrity of London’s violin shops, and reflecting as accurately as we can the strengths and weaknesses of each.

This page is focused on Violin Shops (which are usually string shops – catering also for viola, cello and bass instruments). But don’t forget that many general music retailers also supply entry-level violins, and you can also find a good selection of instruments on the internet (and also a very bad selection… we will write more about how to avoid being ripped off soon!).

Violin Shops in London

Stringers – Marylebone

The appropriately-named Stringers actually takes its name from the proprietor, Maureen Stringer, who opened the company in Edinburgh. More recently, they have begun trading very succesfully in London, and now have a dedicated shop in Lisson Grove, near Marylebone Station.

http://www.stringersmusic.com/

JP Guivier – Oxford Circus

Guivier is the grandfather of violin shops. Since the 1960s, they have been trading at their shop in Mortimer Street (near Oxford Circus), but the history of the company goes way back into the early 20th Century.

http://www.guivier.com/

Ballard Violins – Lambeth

Gareth Ballard has set up his violin workshop near Imperial War Museum in Lambeth. Gareth offers a very personal service and have much experience in getting the most out of musicians instruments as well as repair/restoration and hand crafting new instruments.

http://www.violinslondon.co.uk