| 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.
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 finished a Stradivari style violin which is now for sale in our store ($5000) and has
started a Guarneri model violin in our store in Kitchener (2009) as well as doing
restorations, repairs and bow rehairing.
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. He is presently building an Amati model
violin in our workshop.
William Aitken, a fine
violin and mandolin maker, and maker of other instruments too, works part-time for
Riedstra's Violin Shop.
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-Wiesner studied the flute for five years during high school
as well as violin from age five. She also performed with the Kitchener Waterloo Youth
Orchestra as a violinist for three years. She is an elementary school teacher (K-6)
and is presently (Sept 2009) relocating to Belleville, Ontario.
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. She is presently playing Bass for the rock band Montague Street in
Toronto. She is also a qualified book publishing agent, editor and marketer with a
degree in Women's issues and Religious Studies from McMaster University.
Davin Riedstra, our son, plays trombone and violin. He has attended
the University of Waterloo for three years in Science and Psychology.
Examples of some of the repairs
we have done and will do for you:
Recently, we have repaired a a Conn director trombone, an Artley flute, a
Gemeinhardt flute, a Conn Oboe, a Besson 2-20 tuba, a Vito bass clarinet, an Ambassador
double French horn, a Yamaha French horn, a Conn alto saxophone, a Fox bassoon, a Yamaha
trumpet and an old army bugle. 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 have an opening for a well-trained
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 |
