Spitz-Becker Violins

Spitz-Becker Violins Spitz-Becker Violins provides restoration and repair services to musicians in New Jersey and NYC.

As always, you can never have too many clamps. Thanks for trusting me with your baby! Soon he will be back and better t...
11/01/2024

As always, you can never have too many clamps. Thanks for trusting me with your baby! Soon he will be back and better than ever.

Currently Available:2019 Viola by Ray Spitz-Becker, 16.25"For more information about trials, pricing, commissions, or re...
12/04/2023

Currently Available:
2019 Viola by Ray Spitz-Becker, 16.25"
For more information about trials, pricing, commissions, or restoration work, feel free to message me here or email [email protected].

All the time spent prepping a piece of perfectly split spruce for a soundpost patch pays off when it's time to carve it ...
09/19/2022

All the time spent prepping a piece of perfectly split spruce for a soundpost patch pays off when it's time to carve it down to thickness! I had this one 80 percent fit last week when I realized I had allowed the grain to become tilted out of parallel with the plate. I was so annoyed to have to recut it but you can't compromise on a soundpost patch, it's such a critical area for sound and structure.

On the bench today: replacing an old failed soundpost patch. The new one will be just barely bigger in it's footprint, b...
09/12/2022

On the bench today: replacing an old failed soundpost patch. The new one will be just barely bigger in it's footprint, but more importantly, I'm excavating further down so that the area right around the cracks (there were two in this case) is as thin as possible. It's tempting to play it "safe" and not carve down too far, but that actually results in a weaker repair, making the crack more likely to open up again later. That may have been the case here.

Finishing up a new bridge for an unexpected visitor from last week, a 2016 Spitz-Becker viola!
09/11/2022

Finishing up a new bridge for an unexpected visitor from last week, a 2016 Spitz-Becker viola!

Swipe for some before and after shots of this just-completed project! (Lighting is weird on the before shots, ignore tha...
01/27/2022

Swipe for some before and after shots of this just-completed project! (Lighting is weird on the before shots, ignore that) The f-hole wings on this violin were previously replaced, and a past repairer had attempted to cover up the joined area with some thick, opaque retouch. Under the varnish I found that there was wood sort of "scooped out" on both sides, which is what was being covered up by the thick varnish. The right side was deep enough that I needed to replace the wood entirely. On the left, I was able to carefully layer fill varnish until the surface was even and the color matched. Check my stories later for some more in-between shots.

I’m so honored to be participating in the Celebrating Women Luthiers International Exhibit this March! Thank you so much...
01/15/2022

I’m so honored to be participating in the Celebrating Women Luthiers International Exhibit this March! Thank you so much to Anna Huthmaker and everyone at Huthmaker Violins for putting together such an important event. Women have only truly been accepted into the trade within the past few decades or so, and I am so grateful for the trailblazers before me who pushed their way through the many centuries-old biases that stood in their way.

Woodworking parents give the best Christmas presents! Spending a wholesome evening working on my Lee Valley Antique Eggb...
01/15/2022

Woodworking parents give the best Christmas presents! Spending a wholesome evening working on my Lee Valley Antique Eggbeater Drills puzzle compliments of and .gin.eer, aka Mom and Dad. Mom made those beautiful walnut bowls in the background too! Not yet pictured: ornamental cherry burl coasters by Dad.

Attention! After almost 10 years of learning, practicing, training, and side hustling, I have officially opened my own v...
01/10/2022

Attention! After almost 10 years of learning, practicing, training, and side hustling, I have officially opened my own violin making, restoration and repair shop! Spitz-Becker Violins is located in beautiful Jersey City Heights, just a stone’s throw (or a 20 minute bus ride) from Manhattan. My books are open for appointments for any and all of your violin, viola, or cello needs, no matter how big or small. Come in for a quick checkup and seam gluing, or to consult on major repairs or restorations. Over the coming weeks, I will be posting in more detail about the kind of work I do, my process, and various going ons in and outside of the shop. I’m so excited to have finally arrived at this most pivotal moment of my career, and am looking forward so much to working with all my new and old musician friends! My contact info is located in the "about" section of this page, drop me a line to talk about your instrument or just to say hello!

Address

Somerset, NJ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+12014487338

Website

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