Testimonials
I have known Chris and Cécile for almost 15 years now and even though I now live in Portugal, I am still able to enjoy their friendship and their never ending knowledge about violins. As a student, I purchased several instruments and bows from their excellent selection. Although making such an investment is always a stressful thing, I always loved the fact that I was able to stay for as long as I needed, playing as many instruments as I wanted. I cannot think of any other shop in the UK where one would be able to do this. There is not such thing as a perfect instrument of course, but should one find a violin close to the ideal but with something missing (perhaps not enough bass sound or maybe too bright E string) Chris would then spend long hours on a one-to-one session fiddling around until finally a miracle would happen.
One such happy occasion happened a few months ago, when my group, the Sentica Ensemble, gave a couple of concerts in Cardiff and London. I went to visit Cécile and Chris and took my Portuguese colleagues with me as they were looking for bows, wanted a check up on their instruments etc. We didn´t spend more time only because we had to catch a plane back! Chris and Cecile were absolutely wonderful and my friends were over the moon being able to spend time with two luthiers who shared their knowledge with such generosity. I was of course, very proud!!!!
I taught in Cardiff for 13 years and I believe over 500 individual students had lessons with me at one point or another. Of them all, perhaps half owned one example of the incredible range of student violins Chris and Cécile have to offer at the shop. I can say with absolute certainty that it is not possible to find anywhere in the UK (or in Portugal for that matter) violins that have been worked on so, so well, that their sound is unbelievable and at very affordable prices. I miss their friendship and their expertise a lot. Having Cardiff Violins is one of the things the city must be proud of, and I hope many trips come by in the future so that I can pop in and spend some happy times at the shop.
Growing up in Guernsey, it could be difficult to have access to a variety of quality instruments and services and it was completely by chance that I came across Cardiff Violins. My parents found the charming shop whilst visiting the city of Cardiff a few years ago and insisted I visited. I was so glad for my parents’ accidental discovery and the trip to the shop was well worth my while. Cécile and her team were absolutely fantastic in helping me try out different instruments without ever being intrusive or putting any pressure on me. They have a great understanding of the importance of each individual’s particular needs and were able to guide me in finding my perfect cello. I spent two days in the shop but came out with a fantastic instrument and case which I am as happy with now as the day I bought them.
The Ian Ross cello I bought from Cardiff Violins has been with me for a few years now, at first helping me perform locally in the Guernsey Eisteddfod where my solo cello performance won me the Prix D’excellence award, and then getting me through my grade 8 exam with distinction. I also played the Saint-Saëns cello concerto with the Guernsey Youth Orchestra. Straight away people noticed a difference in my playing and the beautiful tone the instrument produces. I am now studying music at Manchester University where I have lead the University Symphony Orchestra and play with a variety of ensembles. I currently study with Simon Turner from the Hallé and am looking forward to my solo recitals as part of my course on the instrument. My Ian Ross cello has been to Prague on a recent tour and will soon be accompanying me to Europe again for the next summer tour. It will also have its first outing to the Bridgewater hall when my quartet plays in the lunchtime concert series there.
Performing cello will always be a big part of my life: I see no reason why the cello I bought from Cardiff Violins should not accompany me through all of it. I highly recommend Cardiff Violins to anyone looking for personal service, quality and choice.
Cardiff Violins has been part of my life since a young age. Cecile and Chris have always provided helpful assistance, a happy atmosphere and a varied and vast choice of bows and violins to try. I’ve been very fortunate to find my bow made by Benoit Rolland and a Hopf violin (dated 1790), both of which I love and found through Cardiff Violins. The shop is in a great location in Cardiff, making it very accessible from London, where I was a student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Chris and Cecile have always been exceptionally supportive and have always been helpful at every step of my musical development. They understand that taking time to find the perfect instrument and bow for you is important and needs patience, time and several cups of tea! Thanks to Cardiff Violins, I’ve found an instrument and bow that I adore playing every day in my work as sub co-leader of BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
I have been a customer at Cardiff Violins for the past 15 years and they have always been the first port of call for any instrument purchase. Chris and Cecile have a wide range of instruments and bows, for any price range, and any time in your musical career. My first violin and bow from Cardiff Violins helped me obtain a place at the Royal Academy of Music, London and my current purchase of a Benoit Rolland bow is a great asset to my work in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Chris and Cecile are so welcoming and accommodating. When I come home to South Wales I will often pop in to visit and they let me indulge for hours playing the instruments and bows they have on offer. I can without any doubt highly recommend their work and I will continue to visit Cardiff Violins again for future purchases.
Proper stringed instrument shops are becoming an increasing rarity in the UK – foreign competition and the growth in online shopping have transformed the market-place so it’s gratifying to know that the traditional violin shop is alive and well in Cardiff.
At Cardiff Violins, knowledge and expertise are combined with friendly enthusiasm to create an environment for providing good advice and making satisfying purchases. Whether you’re a student or a professional musician, the team will always find time to listen to your needs, explain the options and assist in making the most appropriate choices. The stock of instruments is rich and fascinating, including examples of the finest work, past and present. Chris and Cecile also have a knack for selecting outstanding support staff – invariably talented young musicians who bring their own flair and charm to the business.
Apart from the abundance of practical benefits at Cardiff Violins, there is an extra, less obvious, bonus in visiting the premises – the enjoyment of its artistic ambiance. With a little imagination, the place might feel like Vuillaume’s Paris salon – a centre for violin enthusiasts; or maybe one would not be surprised to see David Laurie calling in on his return from a trip to St Petersburg, bringing a case of Strads and Guadagninis - certainly the old masters would feel comfortable here and in good company.
I would like to thank Cécile for the great service from Cardiff Violins. I was initially looking for a viola at a moderate price range but after looking far and wide I was unable to find an elegant viola with such a broad sound. After much searching, I was told by a tutor of the Kent County Youth Orchestra to try Cardiff Violins. Within a week I was sent several different Violas and Bows from the shop to play in my own environment. The service was fast and superb. Shortly after my purchase I played for a local youth orchestra in which our concert concluded with Mahler’s 4th Symphony. I played the solo on Don Tatems' Mischa and received many comments about the depth, tone and quality of such an instrument! Even the Mayor congratulated me on the elegance of my playing due to the sound I could produce of such a high quality lovely instrument and that it had a distinguished sound that had not resembled his expectations of a viola in the past. Now, where ever I go I am known as “that violist with a loud sound"… definitely a good thing!
Well what can I say about the wonderful establishment that is Cardiff Violins? I have been going to Cardiff Violins since the age of 7 and now at the age of 31 it is by far my location of choice for all my viola requirements. Just about every instrument I have owned has been purchased from Cecile and Chris and I couldn't ask for more in terms of quality of service and most importantly the service and care given afterwards. Most recently I have purchased a wonderful English silver mounted viola bow (pictured) which I could not be happier with. Whenever my students are looking to purchase a new instrument I have always taken them to visit Cardiff Violins and Cecile, Chris and all their assistants always make myself and my students feel most welcome. The one thing I can say is that you never feel like an inconvenience when visiting. Cecile and Chris, for all the help and support you have provided me with my instruments over the years and continue to provide, Thank you!
Having taken my viola into Cardiff Violins for advice as to what I should do in order to get the best out of my viola, it was recommended that I should opt to have a professional bridge fitted in order for the viola to produce the best sound possible. I knew myself that the bridge I initially had was below standard however I was a little sceptical at first as to how much difference a bridge would actually make to the sound quality. I was assured by Chris that if the new bridge did not improve the sound quality then he would put my old bridge back on and I would not be charged. I decided to take the plunge and having returned to test the results I was absolutely amazed! The tonal qualities that my viola now produces is nothing short of perfect to what I was looking for, Chris spent at least half an hour with myself making sure it was exactly to how I wanted it to sound, a lovely caramel sound however still retaining the clarity and brightness that I have always preferred on my Violas. In my opinion, the cost of having the bridge fitted along with the consultation to make sure it is to my liking is well worth it!
Many thanks, last Friday I got my pink violin and I am really happy! I feel a little bit like a three year old girl. My youngster, who is ten and plays violoncello, was very happy, too. He told everybody, he now would start to play the violin, the pink one for sure ;-). I was very busy, so I could not really test it very long, but I think, my pupils and I will love it! I really wish, I could come to Cardiff soon to visit you and the shop and your experts. I Have to see, how to manage that!