Welcome to the Brisbane Violin shop of
Ilja Grawert. 
You will find better Violins, Violas, Celli and Double basses, as well as Bows, Sheet Music, Accessories.
World class restoration and
repairs
Right here at your doorstep
in
Woolloongabba Brisbane
Space
for News
From the 12th of July 2010 I will be on a one week vacation.
My shop will be closed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that week.
From the 12th of July 2010 I will be on a one week vacation.
My shop will be closed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that week.
Having
been born into the tradition of
violin making, Ilja decided at 15 to become a violin maker. At 18 he
began his apprenticeship (1982-1986) at Geigenbau Machold in Bremen,
Germany, where he had the opportunity to study under some of Europe's
best violin makers.
After
receiving his qualifications, he
established his own workshop in Germany, concentrating on the making
of new instruments & restoration. He remained an independent
artisan after migrating to Brisbane in 1994.
Ilja now has a shop in
Woolloongabba,
Brisbane. He caters to beginners and advanced students, as well as
professionals, with backgrounds in not only classical education but
also folk, jazz, and other types of music. His main workshop is
located above his shop, but during opening hours, he prefers to do
the finer work at a workbench in his shop window. He welcomes the
chance to chat with anyone interested in the art of violin making,
and is happy for people to watch while he works.
“Apart
from selling the full range of bowed stringed instruments, strings,
accessories and print music, we do repairs,restorations, making of new
instruments and setups in my workshop.
“Looking back on 25 years of experience in serving beginners and professionals, I cannot stress enough that it is essential to play a well setup instrument. Even though it is very beautiful to play a valuable instrument, the quality of the instrument is often not as crucial as the quality of the setup.
A well setup cheaper instrument will serve you better than an expensive one with a bad setup. I have seen many kids give up because they or their parents thought that they were not gifted at the violin. Very often these kids didn't stand a chance because their instruments were unplayable. A so called “professional” setup is not always good enough (Any person earning money assembling instruments can call it a professional setup whether or not they know what they are doing).
“Looking back on 25 years of experience in serving beginners and professionals, I cannot stress enough that it is essential to play a well setup instrument. Even though it is very beautiful to play a valuable instrument, the quality of the instrument is often not as crucial as the quality of the setup.
A well setup cheaper instrument will serve you better than an expensive one with a bad setup. I have seen many kids give up because they or their parents thought that they were not gifted at the violin. Very often these kids didn't stand a chance because their instruments were unplayable. A so called “professional” setup is not always good enough (Any person earning money assembling instruments can call it a professional setup whether or not they know what they are doing).
“Every
violin needs work on the peg, nut, fingerboard, bridge, soundpost,
tailpiece and very often the strings need to be upgraded for good
sound. In my shop every instrument gets anywhere between ¾
of
an hour and 8 hours of setup work done before it is offered for sale.
“When your child begins playing the violin, viola, cello or double bass, it is important to start building up a relationship of trust between you, your child and a violin maker, just as you do with your family doctor. From day one, the setup, as well as the individual fitting to the right sized instrument, the choice of chin rest, and good shoulder rest adjustments can make all the difference as to whether your child continues playing or gives up out of frustration. Inadequate attention to any of these areas can result in shoulder and back pain, as well as negative feelings toward the violin.
“When you come to visit my shop please bring some extra time with you. We always try to take our time to educate you, and we like you to take your time to make the right decision. Please always bring your child/children with you to select an instrument, for individual fitting, as well as for a little 10 minute lecture in “ How to look after your instrument”.
Back to top
“When your child begins playing the violin, viola, cello or double bass, it is important to start building up a relationship of trust between you, your child and a violin maker, just as you do with your family doctor. From day one, the setup, as well as the individual fitting to the right sized instrument, the choice of chin rest, and good shoulder rest adjustments can make all the difference as to whether your child continues playing or gives up out of frustration. Inadequate attention to any of these areas can result in shoulder and back pain, as well as negative feelings toward the violin.
“When you come to visit my shop please bring some extra time with you. We always try to take our time to educate you, and we like you to take your time to make the right decision. Please always bring your child/children with you to select an instrument, for individual fitting, as well as for a little 10 minute lecture in “ How to look after your instrument”.
Back to top
Weekly Wisdom
Violin strings last longer than guitar strings.
Depending on your frequency and duration of practice they can last between ½ a year up to 1 ½ years.
They do not only end their life when they break.
When they start sounding dull they need to be changed.
Copyright © 2010 Ilja
Grawert - Violinmaker