Professional Set-up
Professional violin and bowed string instrument set-up work requires special sensitivity and perception, as well as a thorough knowledge of the instrument and materials. Such skill can only be developed through years of training and experience, and daily hands-on work, best achieved by a professional in violin making and instrument repair.
Our master adjuster Lauri Kallinen has been taking care of the condition and sound of the instruments of musicians from leading orchestras in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area for nearly twenty years - violins, violas and cellos relax in his hands. He also specializes in Baroque set up.
Book an appointment for an adjustment session when your instrument is not working the way you would like it to, or as you are used to it, or if you just want to get more out of it than you can now. Whether you are a professional player, student or enthusiast, we at Viulumo understand that your instrument is important to you and your concerns about it are genuine. We listen to you and work with you to reach a result that pleases you. You can completely trust your precious instrument to our care!
Remember that the good health of your instrument needs professional care and inspection from time to time.
Violin and viola set-up
The violin is a delicate instrument to adjust and small things make a difference. Small differences in the weight and density of the bridge materials have a great impact and with careful observation and adjustment skills, the characteristics of each instrument can be emphasized or regulated. However, the goal is always to achieve just the right balance, which allows the instrument's unique character to flourish.
Violas, on the other hand, vary widely, and benefit from a bold attitude, a fresh mind and thinking outside the box. The nature of smaller instruments is completely different from that of large ones. Lauri has also trimmed countless small violins and violas for small enthusiasts during his career. When a small instrument is made to play well, it can be a great help and inspiration for a small player.
Cello set-up
Lauri Kallinen is a master at setting up cellos and has become well-known for his bridges and his innovative solutions. His bridges are skillfully carved from the highest quality and most durable European maple, the model and dimensions realized with a keen eye for your instrument and your sound goals. He has set up countless cellos throughout his career, and his precision, sensitivity and experience are crucial to fine soundpost adjustment,. During set up sessions, as well as considering the player's needs, Lauri and Mayim listen to each other's opinions and exchange ideas.
Repair and Restoration
We are using the most modern techniques and the highest standard of ethics of conservation in our repair and restoration work. We make and keep your instrument healthy, doing a careful and proper job. You can relax knowing that your instrument is in the hands of a professional restorer with over 20 years of experience, and a passion and dedication to perfection.
Here at Viulumo we can perform all the necessary repairs for your instrument, from the rarest to the most common. As well as routine maintenance, we also have extensive experience in demanding restoration projects, and carry out each one with care and careful consideration. We will also tell you honestly if the repair costs exceed the selling price of the instrument and we always try to find a solution that satisfies our customer.
You can get the most accurate estimate of the repairs needed for your instrument and the repair price when you bring it to Viulumo for inspection. Contact us to make an appointment!
Bow Rehair & Repair
The bow is an extremely important tool for a player (almost more important than the instrument itself) and we recommend to both amateurs and professionals to keep your bow in good condition. We offer the best possible hair for your bow. We have done a lot of our own research and honest comparisons to ensure that the bow hair works in the best way possible. We also appreciate regular feedback from our customers to assure that we offer the best possible results.
Our bow specialist Mayim Alpert keeps a close eye on your bow to ensure that even the smallest defects or wear do not go unnoticed and cause irreversible damage later. It is a good idea to repair and protect cracks or wear in the frog and bow stick, as soon as they are noticed. In addition, mechanical problems in the screw and screw hole significantly influence the functionality of the bow. Mayim performs in-depth restorations on valuable historical bows, with the same care and careful consideration we use for instruments, and even the simplest carbon-fibre student bow benefits from an excellent rehair job.
Instrument Evaluation
At Viulumo, we offer instrument evaluations for your various needs - whether you are selling, buying, insuring your instrument or need a cost estimate for repairs. When traveling abroad, we provide expert information on the practices of different countries and, if necessary, we will make a passport for your instrument or advise about safe travel.
Purchase/Sale
If you are buying or selling your instrument, we offer a verbal estimate of the instrument's current value, the possible need for restoration and the potential value when it is in perfect condition. Make an appointment by email or phone.
Repair cost estimate for insurance
In the event of an accident, we will provide a written repair cost estimate for your instrument, which you can send to your insurance company when reporting the damage. If the instrument is repaired in our shop, we do not charge for the appraisal.
Home insurance will in most cases cover accidents to your instrument, but there are more comprehensive insurance options from international companies specializing in instrument insurance, so you can be absolutely sure that your instrument is insured whenever and wherever you travel, regardless of the circumstances. We are happy to assist you in selecting the best option for the insurance of your instrument.
Instrument passport
When traveling abroad, especially outside the Schengen area, it may help to have a passport for your instrument, so that you get your instrument safely and smoothly across the border without undue difficulties with the authorities. An instrument passport is a written and pictorial document, in which we document all the most important dimensions and characteristics of the instrument with text and photographs. We also list all the materials used to make the instrument or bow, including the fittings.
Baroque & period
instruments and bows
At Viulumo, we also do period set-ups, such as baroque violins, violas and cellos, as well as instruments of the gamba family. Lauri also has years of experience with baroque instruments, having made his first so-called “Zurückbau” instruments (old instruments restored to baroque set up), while working in Germany at Wolfram Ries’ workshop in 2009. In Helsinki, he has continued to develop his baroque set-up skills, and has honed his own personal vision for it. He is also familiar with the viol family of instruments and is happy to help you get the best possible sound out of your period instrument, based on an understanding of the musical characteristics of each period.
Always essential to our adjustments is the basic idea of finding the best relaxed balance in the instrument, so it will resonate with a rich and projecting sound.
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​Mayim Alpert rehairs baroque and period bows of many styles, and is fascinated by the diversity and creativity seen in bows of all shapes, used before the modern standardisation of the bow according to FX Tourte. He is also interested in making period bows and experimenting with wood alternatives to pernambuco.