Palmer Violin Shop

06/18/2026

A little Throwback Thursday from our first location!

06/16/2026

A peek inside the biggest instrument in the string family- the bass!
On the inside, you'll see dried varnish from touch ups over the years. Other marks could be from a variety of things like varnish seeping through the wood, sweat from hours of playing, water- who knows!

06/12/2026

A highly sought‑after look in violin making is the aged, time-worn appearance seen on instruments made by masters like Antonio Stradivari. Carefully distressing between layers of varnish echoes the natural marks earned over centuries of playing.
This violin was crafted by our very own to mimic a Stradivarius!

06/10/2026

Today's repair spotlight!
A gorgeous bow rehair, complete with new winding and a fresh leather grip.
Done by

Fun fact: this grip is made from genuine lizard leather. This protects the wood from the hand's oils and other residues

06/05/2026

4/4 violin vs. 16.5" viola - how different are they really?

Their size difference is not the only thing setting them apart. A violin’s highest string is a vibrant E, while a viola trades that for a deep C string. This lower range gives the viola its warm, rich voice. In an orchestra, the viola supports the violins in both pitch and rhythm, although it's nice to hold the melody every now and then😉

06/03/2026

A "group photo" of the available violin sizes, ranging from 4/4 all the way down to 1/16
(Not pictured: little 1/32, small enough to fit a 3 year old!)

If you're needing to move up a size with your current rental instrument, stop by our shop and we'll get it switched out!

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

Ever wondered what a violin looks like unvarnished?

Varnish transforms not only the look of the instrument, but its voice as well. Before varnishing, an instrument sounds raw and open. Once varnish is applied, it controls the wood's vibrations- focusing the tone, adding clarity, and shaping the overall character of the sound.

05/26/2026

Unpacking one of our gorgeous European made cellos from the Violin House of Weaver

Boxes, spirals of cardboard, and newspaper... the perfect playground for the kittens!

05/22/2026

Did you know chin rests come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, heights and materials?
Whether your focus is comfort or aesthetic, there's a plethora to choose from!