Frank's Violins - Violin and Instrument Repair and Restoration

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On-site Instrument Repair & Restoration by our degreed luthier - Benjamin Parrott
Benjamin Parrott graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1999 with his degree in string instrument technology and he builds violins, violas, cellos and some classical guitars. In addition to building instruments Ben has been doing the majority of our instrument repair and restoration over the past eight years from the comfort of his workshop at his home. Over the past eleven years he also contracted his expert services to most of the other key violin shops, both new and old, in the Indianapolis area with great success. Ben understands the needs of a musician and that understanding is reflected in his fantastic set up work and tone adjustments, his instrument restoration and his own hand built and workshop instruments that give professionals a tool to assist in taking their skills to new levels.

After working with Ben for the past eight years we are very happy to finally have Ben and his workshop "under our roof" providing even faster repair service and expert advice during your visit. Ben will continue to build his hand made instruments as well as producing a new line of more affordable "workshop" instruments in conjunction with Frank's Violins. These workshop instruments will be hand finished by Ben and will include his special hand applied amber based oil varnish (in the old Italian tradition) and his personal set up and tonal adjustment. Both his hand built and new workshop instruments are available now so stop by and play one today!

Click here to see photos of one of Ben's hand built violins.
Click here to learn more about Ben's outreach to the people of Haiti and about Ben's building and finishing process featured in a blog of a local violinist titled "A Strad inspired violin". There are many step by step photos of Ben's violin building process.

We are glad to quote the cost of your repair prior to any work beginning. Repair and adjustment services for the following items are available.

Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass

Bridges
Sound posts
Pegs
Fingerboards
Saddles
Nuts
Bass Bars
End buttons
Bushings
Cracks
Open seams
Top removal
Neck reset
Rib shortening
Scroll grafts
Patching or cleating
French polishing
Bow re-hairing, tip re-facing, lapping, grip replacement and cambering

Ben is also available to perform tonal adjustments to your current instruments to bring them to their fullest potential. Call for more details or with any questions at 317-251-5950!

On a side note, about five years ago I was sitting in the office of Robert Bein of Bein & Fushi in Chicago with two Stradivarius violins his assistant Dana had delivered to his desktop and Mr. Bein said "Everyone is trying to figure out the "secret" of Stradivarius violins.....I think the secret is simple....it was the man that made the difference"! Stop by Frank's Violins and see how we can make a difference for you!

Here are some photos of Ben's work in progress!

Fretted instrument repair & restoration
Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, and more!

Instrument repair and restoration is also available for guitars, banjos, mandolins, mandolas, mando-cellos, dobros, dulcimers, harps, ukuleles, and other related instruments from student level instruments to fine vintage instruments. Instrument appraisals are also available.

Acoustic instrument repairs may include:

Custom setups
Refretting
Fret leveling and recrowning
Crack repair
Custom inlay
Tuning peg repair / replacement
Vintage inlay replacement
Under saddle pickup and preamp install
Nut and saddle replacement
Finish repairs and nitro finishes
Bridge reglue or replacement
Pickguard replacement
Bridge plate repair and replacement
Reglue loose brace(s)
Neck resets
Crack repair
Peghead break repair

Electric instrument repairs may include:

Custom setups
Nut replacement
Electronic repairs - pickups, pots, switches, custom wiring
Tuning peg repair / replacement
Pickup and tremolo routes
Control cavity shielding
Peghead breaks and cracks
Finish repairs and nitro finishes
Fretless bass conversions
Custom pickguards
Buzz Feiten Tuning System retrofitting

All repairs are completed in a timely fashion with the highest quality products available including Russian Siberian unbleached white horsehair, all hide glue (never white glue, wood glues, or "Super" type glues), Grade A ebony replacement parts for fingerboards, nuts, pegs, and saddles, Despiau French maple bridges, etc. Repair time can vary with the extent of the repair and also our work load. Simple repairs can be done while you wait but other more extensive repairs as time requires. Please call or stop in for more information or contact us with any questions you may have.

We look forward to serving all of your stringed instrument needs!

Frank's Violins - Home
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