Rudolf Pilsel

Rudolf Pilsel Maker of the finest violin, violas, cellos and bows. Restorations and repairs. A Complete service for the String Player

Maker of the finest Violins, Violas, Cellos and Bows.

Purfled and half done! Next job is to make a mirror image on its right hand side!
08/08/2026

Purfled and half done! Next job is to make a mirror image on its right hand side!

Here's a rare one in for a rehair. Marcel Fetique, son of Victor. It really needs a new tip, some frog work and new lapp...
29/07/2026

Here's a rare one in for a rehair. Marcel Fetique, son of Victor. It really needs a new tip, some frog work and new lapping, but it is presently urgently needed for the NYO. Lovely playing stick!

Back for the first time since I made it 40 years ago this year, a violin which has been in constant use firstly by a wel...
29/07/2026

Back for the first time since I made it 40 years ago this year, a violin which has been in constant use firstly by a well known violin teacher and now by his son. It is in superb condition. The varnish is as fresh as it was when it went on (if in need of a clean) with no deterioration, no craquelle, no softening......everything that a good varnish should be after 40 years!!! More detailed pics when it is all serviced!!

Made from wood which came from a huge tree which grew in a lady's front garden in Weaverham, Cheshire, and which my brother in law and I cut in 1982, it has a lovely, well figured slab back with matching and neck. The front is fine grained Alpine spruce......the tone is divine!!!

Thicknesses finished and the interior being scraped smooth. The back plate of a violin varies in thickness from approxim...
27/07/2026

Thicknesses finished and the interior being scraped smooth. The back plate of a violin varies in thickness from approximately 4.5mm at the centre to 2.4 - 2.2mm at the flanks. There are no fixed "rules". Much depends on the density and the flexibility of each individual piece of wood, and it is here that experience "kicks in"! This will be ready to affixed to the sides or ribs later today! .....and later today came around quite quickly!!

At last! Ground colour on the next cello and now the varnishing begins aiming for a deep red!
22/07/2026

At last! Ground colour on the next cello and now the varnishing begins aiming for a deep red!

Back to the bench after some adventures in nursing after a hip replacement for the much better half and fun with some fi...
18/07/2026

Back to the bench after some adventures in nursing after a hip replacement for the much better half and fun with some filming for Auntie!
One of my weapons of choice for modelling the outside of an instrument plate is a flat faced spokeshave which might lookppcumbersome but when mastered, it produces the finest of cuts in awkward figured wood which requires the minimum of scraping! I'll finish if tomorrow!!!

Purfling purfled!
02/07/2026

Purfling purfled!

I know it's early but......
23/06/2026

I know it's early but......

The last job before varnish - the making of the ebony tail saddle which protects the instrument edge from damage from th...
06/06/2026

The last job before varnish - the making of the ebony tail saddle which protects the instrument edge from damage from the tailgut. I find it a fiddly job (no pun intended) but it must be done.

Nearly ready for varnishing, just final cleaning up to, tail saddle to fit and end pin hole to ream!
06/06/2026

Nearly ready for varnishing, just final cleaning up to, tail saddle to fit and end pin hole to ream!

Address

162 Sydney Road
Crewe
CW15

Telephone

+441270257468

Website

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