Testimonials

Cardiff Violins have been taking care of my violin since I moved to England 2 years ago.  I have spent such a long time with Chris to find the best my violin could offer, and it now sounds wonderful.  I trust them for anything, from working on my violin to selling violins to my students.  I am very grateful for their superb honesty, timeless availability and endless generosity. It has made a real difference and I feel I can come back anytime to look for the same perfectionism, "amour du métier" as we say in France!

Cardiff Violins could not have been more helpful when I decided to purchase a Luis and Clarke Carbon Fibre violin. I was an adult returning to music after a twenty year absence and Cécile was wonderfully patient and helpful in swiftly answering my endless questions. The violin looks absolutely beautiful and is a pleasure to play. The exquisite tone it produces flatters the player and even my most sceptical wooden violin aficionado friends have been converted upon playing it. I particularly enjoy their incredulity at the extremely high quality sound for the comparatively low price. Cardiff Violins took care of the importation of the violin from Luis & Clarke and offered invaluable advice on the purchase of a suitable case, rest and carbon fibre bow. If my playing of this gorgeous instrument ever matches the customer service I experienced when I purchased it, I will have exceeded my wildest dreams!  

I needed to buy a new cello because I had outgrown my ¾, so needed a full size. When we arrived at Cardiff Violins, Cécile was very helpful and friendly and I was given very good help and advice. Angharad played a few cellos for me so I could hear them and so I could see what they could do. I also played them all myself. Angharad told me which instruments she preferred and also changed many strings for me to see if that helped. It took roughly 2  1/2 hours for me to decide, as there were so many! It was brilliant because we were able to take the cello home on “trial”. Angharad also gave us lots of advice and help in choosing a bow and case. I was very happy but mostly excited when I left the shop! It was a wonderful experience and with Angharad’s help, I chose the right cello first time!

I purchased two beautiful French violins about a year ago from Cardiff Violins for my daughters, 11 & 9 years old, and we have been absolutely delighted with them. The girls love their violins and it's evident in their playing. It's a joy to listen to the wonderful sounds coming from the violins. From the moment I contacted Cardiff Violins, they were extremely helpful, friendly and accommodating. Before I visited the shop, Cecile sent me many photographs of the violins she sourced for us and provided us with lots of information. Their professionalism and expertise at Cardiff Violins is second to none and the customer service is simply outstanding. Cecile and Chris are the kindest and warmest people ever. They provide good honest advice and run the type of business that one will have a relationship with for life. A year on, and they have continued to provide excellent support and service and nothing is ever too much for them. A big thank for all your help and I will not hesitate to recommend Cardiff Violins to anyone.

When I came back from an orchestral tour of the USA with my cello in pieces, having split as a result of the dry atmosphere, it was to Cardiff Violins that I turned.  Chris and Cecile immediately provided me with a cello to play on for which I was extremely grateful, and after a few weeks I was back in their shop trying many of their cellos, with a view to buying another instrument.  They both showed incredible patience, giving me their undivided attention, as well as several cups of tea!  Eventually, at their suggestion, I brought away a cello by Henry Jay to try for a few weeks, so that I could play it in the orchestra, and see how it felt playing solos.  At first, I wasn’t certain that this was the instrument for me, but as I gradually adjusted to it, I realised that they had seen that this cello would probably suit me before I did.  It now feels almost part of me, and I only wish I had found it 25 years ago!

I bought a viola from overseas and the tone was most unpleasant to the ears. I contacted Cardiff Violins after finding out about them via the web and from the onset they were extremely helpful and very patient. The viola has been completely reset and the tone is now superb. if you have an instrument that seems unplayable, I would definitely recommend the Cardiff Violins shop to transform your instrument. A big hearty thank you to all at the shop for my viola.  It is a joy to play again.

I can't thank you enough for the considerable time and trouble spent on restoring and voicing my violin and viola. Your quest in satisfying my demands for workmanship and tone production with these instruments is both reassuring and very much appreciated.

I am so pleased with the violin I bought from Cardiff Violins. The shop was recommended to me by a friend, so when playing in Cardiff recently, I decided to visit the shop and try a few instruments. Cecile, Chris and their assistant Magda made me feel very welcome indeed, I was given lots to try and never felt under pressure. Simply to try and enjoy. They were so helpful and on hand to give advice and adjust the instruments if necessary. Chris also did a set up of my own modern violin and changed the bridge, which has transformed the instrument so it sounds better than ever. I very much look forward to visiting Cardiff Violins when next in Cardiff, they really did make the whole experience a very nice one and the violin I had been looking for all these years is now mine thanks to Cecile and Chris. Thank you so much.