Brian Cohen Violins :
Brian Cohen is now semi-retired, at 74, after 55 years of making, and still carrying with some selected restoration/conservation work, and bow rehairs too, and some set-up work. Please do enquire. I have alsp some good antique violins, and handmade cases, and all of my SpundPost stock to sell as well, including strings, quality fittings, rosins, accessories, and especially smaller size child's violins, mainly 1/2 size and 3/4 size. There are many bargains to be had! A link to a list is added below.
Please e mail for time availability. All appointments are now received in the new studio, located in Peaslake GU5, where I would be delighted to see you.
Link to list of items on sale, including tools, accessories, cases, tonewoods for making, and many other items* SALE *
Why visitors to the website of 'SoundPost' have been directed to this site: The reason for this is that the retail element of SoundPost has closed, and the remaining stock including cases, bows, strings, i fittings, instruments of all sizes, accessories are still available via Brian Cohen, even via mail order, until the stock is sold, all at discounted 'stock clearance prices'. Contact details are all on this site. The premises are now closed, and a new studio near Guildford has been created. We are now setting up an online retail shop. Most of the previous services are still being offered, i.e. bow rehairs, conservation work on antique quality instruments, selected sales of high quality instruments, and the making of new instruments, all these activities will continue.
I do not have a complete list of items on special sale, this is now under preparation, soon to be via an onlin shop, and will be linked ( see above ) when more complete, but please contact me for anything you may be looking for, its worth a try just in case I have what you need on offer. Available items will be listed via the 'Sale ' page of this site. Thank you.
Background and 'Ethos'- History:
The instruments I make are constructed in the classical Italian style, using the traditional methods of that period. Each instrument is made entirely by hand, using the finest quality aged and mature tonewoods, drawn from my own extensive stock, (selectively built up over 50 years,) set up with a choice of the finest fittings and strings. My instruments are built using patterns taken from significant original instruments, using authentic methods, and varnished using traditional materials and a natural application technique, applied by hand. I would venture to say that a violin maker from the 17th or 18th century would be able to come into my studio, recognise the tools and methods, (indeed some of my tools actually date from this period, and are still in daily use) and would be able to get right to work! Everything would be virtually the same, apart from the Italian weather.
While each instrument is conceived as an individual creation in itself, at all times the players' tonal, physical and visual requirements are foremost. Power, volume, sustain, projection, rich tonal colour, textures, clarity, voice separation are some of the qualities present in all 'Brian Cohen' instruments.
My instruments carry a 'lifetime warrantee' ( subject to conditions).
NOTE: As I approach retirement, I have to re-structure the studio: I have a large high quality stock of aged selected wood, ready to use , for sale, most of which is surplus to fulfilling my current orders. I have matched sets for quartets, individual one and two piece backs, ribs, neck blocks, tops, corner blocks of willow, cello backs,( one piece and 2 piece) cello ribs, tops, neck blocks, ebony logs, spruce logs split into wedges large enough for double bass: in short a lot of wood, so please enquire, it all has to go! Included are residual stocks of wood from the estates of the late David Rubio, and Michael Heale, also included in this sale. I will try to prepare a list soon, but for now, please enquire. There are tools too for sale. Please Note: Despite these sales of wood etc, I am still making, and taking orders for new instruments.
Sale of Tonewoods and Tools, Cases, Accessories, and various other special Items. Updated and added to almost daily.
- Violin Wood :HERE ( not active, yet to add)
- Viola Wood: Link to details and photos: HERE . Lots of one and 2 piece piece backs, or sets, all top quality, and at a good price.
- Cello Wood: (not active, lots of backs, ribs, sets, yet to add to the list)
- Wood for components, related to instrument making , eg ebony, box, rosewood etc, useful for related work, eg pegs, nuts, endpins. HERE.
- Tools, and other instrument related items:eg tailpieces, cases, rosins, pegs, bridges etc. HERE.
Visitors to the new studio welcomed, but strictly by appointment only. Please visit the 'Contact' page for information
·