I am proud to highly recommend Mr. Chunyee Lu and his Guadagnini Violin Shop. As a freelance violinist and teacher new to the area, I have greatly benefited from Mr. Lu's expertise, his dedication, his honesty, humility, fair prices, cheer, and humor.
In particular, his restoration skills are superb. My ca. 1800 Lippold violin has never sounded so good or responded so easily. He has transformed some inexpensive antique bows which I had picked up over the years (sensing their playing potential) into wonderful playing tools. With new hair, a new silver tip and winding, new grip, cleaning and polishing, etc., he transformed a late 19th century ironwood bow into a real gem, and all this in record time and with no fuss. Mr. Lu, besides being a wonderful craftsman, is also a fine violinist, so he understands these matters from different angles. I appreciate that perspective very much.
Mr. Lu's work is as good or better than any of the more expensive shops I've been to in New York or Europe. A graduate of the Chicago School of Violin Making, one of the top schools, his attention to detail is truly extraordinary and his approach is highly insightful, artful, scientific and experience-based.
The guy is simply a genius at what he does.
On a personal level, he is a delight, as is his lovely wife Wen. They're great people. I'm very glad to have my instrument and bows under his care and recommend him most highly to anyone.
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