Violinmaking A. Van Hessche 

Welcome at our website!

In our workshop we offer different services: from newmaking to restoration of your instrument. 

Every instrument is welcome at our workshop: from tiny student instruments to professionals. 

Below you can find the different offered services, how to reach the workshop and contact information. 

If you have questions, or you want to make an appointment, do not hesitate to contact me. 

Instrument Maintenance & Repairs

We offer a range of services to keep your instrument in optimal playing condition. Below is an overview of commonly requested work:

  • Cleaning Service

  • Bridge Adjustment or Replacement
    We adjust or cut a new bridge to ensure proper fit and tone production.

  • Soundpost Adjustment or Replacement
    A soundpost that is too tight can lead to serious damage such as soundpost cracks, while one that’s too loose won’t effectively transfer sound vibrations. A well-fitted soundpost is essential for tonal quality. Since every instrument is different, the time required for adjustments can vary.

  • Peg Adjustment or Replacement
    Slipping or stuck tuning pegs can make tuning difficult and frustrating. In many cases, pegs can be adjusted without needing to replace them. If replacement is necessary, pricing depends on the type of peg.

  • Fingerboard Resurfacing
    With regular playing, grooves may appear in the fingerboard. These can be planed out to restore a smooth and playable surface.

  • Other Services
    We also offer additional repair and adjustment services depending on your instrument’s needs.

Pricing
Prices vary depending on the scope of the work and are exclusive of material costs. As a small business, we do not charge VAT.

Do you recognize any of the issues mentioned above, or are you unsure about the playability of your instrument?
Feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment—we’re happy to help!

 

You can find more pictures on this page. 

Restoration

Some instruments suffer from more extensive damage, which calls for a thorough and carefully considered approach. This allows us, for example, to restore instruments with cracks using reinforcements and doubling.

Every instrument presents its own unique challenges, and each restoration is tailored to the specific needs and condition of the instrument.

In our workshop, we follow a clear set of ethical principles when it comes to restoration:

  • Reversible: All interventions should be reversible and, where possible, visible or detectable under UV light.

  • Durable: We choose solutions that take the instrument’s existing condition into account, ensuring long-term stability.

  • Respectful of history: We strive to preserve the instrument’s original character and historical value.

  • High-quality materials: We work exclusively with the finest materials to ensure the best results.

You can view a slideshow of an ongoing restoration of a 19th-century French cello side here. 

Periodic Maintenance

With regular maintenance, your instrument will not only last longer, but small issues can be detected early—preventing them from developing into serious cracks or problems that require major restoration.

Maintenance may include the following services:

  • Cleaning of the instrument

  • Gluing of seams between the ribs and the top or back plate

  • Checking the string grooves at the bridge and nut

  • Advice on additional repairs that could improve the instrument

  • Lubricating the tuning pegs

  • Adjustments to the bridge or nut if needed

Having your instrument checked annually is a small investment that brings great value to the instrument’s longevity!

Bow Maintenance

Starting summer 2025, we will accept bow work in the workshop. 

The following services will be provided: 

  • Rehairing of violin, viola, cello, and double bass bows with high-quality Siberian hair

  • Full or partial cleaning of the bow

  • Replacement of silver winding, usually combined with a new leather grip

  • Replacement of the leather grip

  • New parts such as the frog, tip plate, or screw can be provided and replaced. 

Please note: I do not carry out major restorations or extensive repairs on bows (e.g., broken tip, etc.).

 

You can find more pictures here.

Newmaking 

In our workshop, instruments are crafted entirely according to the musician’s wishes.

Together, we can design an instrument—from the selection of the wood to the color of the varnish. Once the instrument is built, it will be set up and adjusted to perfectly suit the player. This includes choosing the right strings, fine-tuning the sound, and more.

Thanks to my background in historical instrument making, I also offer Baroque and Romantic-style instruments.

It is also possible to try out and purchase already completed instruments. 

More information about these instruments can be found here. 

In addition, the workshop offers a selection of instruments not made by me.

Feel free to contact us for more information about available stock or to schedule a trial session.

Cello- viola da gamba gutstrings

During my master's degree, I specialised in making gut strings. After completing my studies, I continued producing them, which provided me with a stock.

The strings are made of pale gut (unsanded) and finished with an oil layer. They have a rough texture, but produce a pure, projecting sound.

Contact me for more information or to check the availability of different diameters.

The strings can be shipped (internationally). 

Contact us

Workshop location

Durmakker 6 c1
9940 Evergem

Contact: 

Please always attach a picture of your problem at your email! 

info@vioolbouw-vanhessche.com

Phone number: +32471072939

Always available on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Leave me a message when not answered. 

 

Pickup and drop off in the city centre of Ghent is possible at rare occasions. This might delay the work on the instrument. 

 

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