| Riedstra's Violin Shop Inc is
a full service violin, viola, cello, bass and bow dealer and repair facility. We
also have a new division that sells and services (minor repairs) all brass and
woodwind instruments. Members of our
staff have a combined total of over 80 years experience and training to help you with your
violin family instrument needs.
Job Opportunities: Click here for more information about one opening currently
available.
Henry Riedstra, Honours
B.A., B.Ed.: president, with over 30 years experience as a luthier (violin and bow
maker/restorer) and appraiser. Apprenticed in violin making and restoration (1978-1984)
with Pete Molenaar (professional European violin maker, restorer, appraiser, and
reseacher) of Toronto . Henry undertook further in-depth training in appraisal and
authentication, including some time with Dario D'Attili. Henry used to play the cello
professionally in the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, as well as performing
free-lance and studio work. In addition to the cello, he also plays the violin. He has
also been a teacher since 1979. Henry has also repaired brass and woodwind instruments for
many years..
Linda Riedstra, B.A.,
B.Ed.: Store Manager and book keeper.
Xiaodong Guan started
working for Riedstra's Violin Shop Inc in November of 1999 and is an expert in restoration
and newly made instruments . He has worked in violin shops for over 20 years and
consequently has gained much experience. In 1985 he started building his own instruments
and as of August 2006, he has built about 140 violins, 20 violas and 24 cellos. He has
also had four years of in-depth training in the CREMONA School of Violin Making Techniques
from master Quan Zheng (graduate of Cremona in 1986). He is one of Master Quan Zheng's
finest pupils, perhaps the best. In Canada he is one of the top builders and restorers of
instruments. One of his professional cellos is available for sale in our store in
Kitchener.
Quentin Bouvron is a
graduate of the School of Violin Making in Newark, England. He received the position
of full-time violin maker and restorer in our store in Kitchener in August 2006. He
has already received a commission to build a special 5-string violin at our store in
Kitchener for a Jazz violinist in Toronto.
Richard Manuel started his
full-time training in violin making, and violin and bow restoration with Henry Riedstra in
our Stratford Workshop on May 1st, 2006.
William Aitken, a fine
violin and mandolin maker, and maker of other instruments too, works part-time for
Riedstra's Violin Shop. He occasionally works in our store in Kitchener as well.
Filip Tomov is a fine
restorer of instruments and bows with 30 years experience. He is a well- trained violin
maker, having studied with Ivan Kaloferov in Sofia, Bulgaria (He is listed in the Addendum
of the Henley book on violin makers) and restoration with Rene Veiga in Havana. In
addition to having excellent skills in setting up instruments and rehairing bows, he is
also a very fine violinist. Mr. Tomov works part-time for us.
Davin Riedstra, our son,
is a part-time clerk in our store. In addition to learning to do basic repairs on student
instruments, he has also taken violin playing lessons for a few years.
Three other trained violin and bow makers/
repairmen work for us on a part-time basis. In addition, our two daughters also help in
the Stratford shop! Both play the violin and one plays Bass as well.
Riedstra's Brass
and Woodwind Shop (Sales and Repairs)
We give free estimates for all
major and minor overhauls and repairs on all makes of brass or woodwind and will
advise you on whether it is worthwhile for your instrument.
We will consider all brass and woodwind
instruments for consignment.
We will consider purchasing your used
instruments or taking them in as a partial trade-in on another new or pre-owned
instrument.
Our techinicians come into the shop when needed. You will receive a receipt
when you leave your instrument in our violin shop area at the same address, and Henry
Riedstra will consult with our technicians as to the estimated cost of repairing your
instrument. Henry or Linda Riedstra will get back to you within a few days and
will discuss with you the cost of all the major and minor repairs, and/or restoration of
your woodwind or brass instrument. Putting your instrument into Play Condition
for example, will be a lower price than restoring the instrument to like new.
Please speak with Henry or Linda Riedstra
in Kitchener or in Stratford. Linda was the lead clarinet player in the Hanover High
School band. Henry taught instrumental music (brass, woodwind, percussion and
strings) at the high school level for 6 years and was a professional trombone player in
dance bands and community concert bands for over 35 years. He also played oboe for a
year. Henry is able to play test all brass and woodwind instruments. In addition, Henry is
a professional violin maker, restorer and appraiser, as well as a cellist (although he
sometimes plays violin, viola or bass when required).
Other Musicians in our Family:
Richard F. Riedstra was the head of Music at Elmira District Secondary
School from 1965 to 1987.
Maria G. Riedstra taught Strings in elementary and secondary schools in
Waterloo County for fifteen years.
Lutzen Riedstra is a fine bassoonist.
Kyla Riedstra played the flute for five years in high school and studied
violin for many years. She also played in the Kitchener Waterloo Youth Orchestra as a
violinist.
Janelle Riedstra played the Trumpet and Baritone and String Bass
for several years in high school, as well as two years in the Kitchener Waterloo
Youth Orchestra.
Davin Riedstra is a trombonist.
Examples of some of the repairs
we have done and will do for you:
At the present time (August 2005), we are repairing a Besson 2-20 tuba, a Conn trombone,
an Artley flute and an old Army bugle. In July, some of our repairs included a Cabart oboe
(which we have on consignment), a German Sonora maple bassoon, and a complete overhaul on
an Andre Bardot flute. We have also setup several new instruments which we are
stocking in the store for sale.
For example: On all makes of woodwinds (including sax), we clean and disinfect and lube,
supply missing parts, install new pads (repadding), replace head cork, new felt, new key
corks, new springs, pivot screws, guard screws, and new posts. We also re-level pads and
regulate them, round out and adjust joints and tenons for proper fit, improve the action,
remove dents, solder, or unsolder and re-solder loose parts, align, reposition, reshape
and straighten bent keys and rods, levers and springs, and eliminate buzzes and noises.
Furthermore, we do regulation of keys, level the tone holes, and replace thumbrest screws,
dissassemble and reassemble, and test play all instruments. We will quote on relacquering
and replating if needed or wanted. In essence, we can provide you with a thorough
overhaul.
For example: On all makes of brass
instruments, we remove dents, lube stuck slides and valves, align trombone slides and
other slides, brush polish valves and casings, replace screws, supply new lead pipes,
replace missing parts, level bell rims, roll out creases, and eliminate buzzes and noises,
replace felts and cork, water key springs; unassemble, re-assemble, untwist, unsolder, or
solder, and re-solder braces and loose parts, and straighten mouthpiece shanks. Not
only that, but we also do complete valve jobs, clean, brush and polish, and test play all
instruments. On French Horns, we also fix and unseize binding or stuck rotors, fix
braces, and restring as well. We will quote on relacquering and replating if needed
or wanted. Essentially, we can provide you with a thorough overhaul.
On cases, we can fix or replace case
latches, and parts, glue loose linings and clean them or supply a new case.
Job
Opportunities: We need a fully-trained, experienced, professional
violin restorer/luthier. Please send your resume with references to the address
below.
We also have an opening for a trained
part-time brass and woodwind repair person at our store in Kitchener, Ontario.
Please send your resume to the address below.
Qualified applicants: If
you would like us to keep your application on file, please send your application to our
Stratford location at:
Riedstra's Violin Shop
38 Neal Avenue
Stratford, Ontario, Canada N5A 6W8 |
