0161 972 0839 helen@helenviolinmaker.com

Helen Violin Maker

modern violin maker

Currently available

These days, much of my work is made to commission, and I also sometimes have instruments available from stock, as well as occasionally earlier ones on resale or instruments by other makers that I have worked on. Find out more about current work at work in progress.

I can send violins and violas by courier company either in the UK or abroad.

Please contact me if you’re interested in a resale instrument or rental; there may be something coming available soon.

Instruments for sale

My instruments at the moment are mostly made to commission, though from time to time I offer earlier instruments for resale. If you’d like to know if anything suitable is coming up, please get in touch.

 

Instruments for rental

If you are interested in the possibility of hiring an instrument and don’t see what you want below, please do contact me, as it’s possible that a suitable instrument may come up in the near future as hire periods come to an end. Rental instruments are usually also available for sale; if you are interested, please contact me for details.

For details of how the rental scheme works, visit this page of my site.

3/4 size violin 2012

This has been a much-loved violin, seeing a number of good players on their way, most recently a student at the junior department of RNCM in Manchester. The YouTube video below shows it with its first player, Georgina Bloomfield. It’s now available to rent at £42 per month. Please contact me if you’d like to see it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdbj0dZmPX4&t=27s

13 1/4 inch viola 2016

This is a lovely sounding little viola, easy to play and responsive. It feels just the same as a three-quarter size violin and so is perfect for a young viola player. Rental is £42 per month.
Unusually, the back is from poplar which helps lend it a warm and soulful sound. It was used from new by a pupil at Chetham’s School  of Music, and more recently served happily as a stopgap viola for an adult player, holding its own in Brahms sextets! You can see and hear it on this video.

 

 

15 inch two-cornered viola 2022

This viola has been used by a talented young violinist for the last couple of years, and I now have it back to offer again for rental. It has a powerful, projecting sound with plenty of warmth.  It’s an ideal stepping stone to a forever instrument for a young player, or alternatively could work well as a permanent viola. The rental fee is £70 per month.