Hill Violin Repairs & Setup

05/05/2019

The neck block was repaired with wood glue and the elevation set incorrectly. Steam softens the glue enabling a correction of the whole job. The pin secures the button so that it doesn't come loose again.

16/04/2019

I received this violin with a typical 'student' set up.
The pegs- roughly finished, difficult to tune.
The nut- cut very high making it hard to press the strings onto the fingerboard.
The fingerboard- badly cambered hence the high nut.
The bridge- poorly cut. Not seated well, chunky feet, uneven eyes, roughly finished.
Soundpost- uneven grain, splintery ends, loose fit.
With some refining of these aspects of the instrument's set up I was able to vastly improve the playability and sound quality which is reflected in the smile of the client!

06/04/2019

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new website http://hillsviolins.co.za/ Please visit us and tell your friends!

Simon Hill. Professional master carpenter since 1995 as well as musician and cellist has focused his exceptional craftsmanship and love of string instruments in the repair and rebuilding of violins.

19/11/2018

My first restoration, 3/4 Glass.

13/11/2018

Newest acquisition from my ever supportive dad!

09/11/2018

I visited the Music Peyer shop in Pinelands, Cape Town on Wednesday. The ladies give great and very knowledgeable service. Not surprising since the business has been around since 1970! My wife can remember visiting the shop in Vredehoek as a small child in the late 1970's. It's good to see the legacy of experience and knowledge still going some 50 years later.

28/10/2018

Here's our business flyer. If you know anyone who may be needing our services - please direct them here!

28/10/2018

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the likes! Please keep them coming. 🤟

Violin Repairs and Setups to suit the student budget.

22/10/2018

It's fairly common to come across a string instrument that needs a sound-post crack repaired.
This violin needed a patch laid into the back. It's unclear what happened to cause this crack but the most likely scenario is that the violin was dropped on its front causing the bridge to put extra pressure on the post and push it into the back.
It's a textbook repair, literally! Hans Weisshaars' Violin Restoration Manual - considered the leading source for restoration and repair, laid out exactly what to do.