The differences between bows

This week’s discussion of the differences between bows will feel like a bit of a repeat of last weeks’ discussion of instruments.  In the end, workmanship and material quality are two of the biggest differentiators when it comes to the cost and performance of a bow. ...

Humidification on the go!

As we all brace for the coming weather, it’s a good moment to review the importance of humidifying our instruments.  In my experience here in the shop, the larger instruments (cello and bass) are even more susceptible to humidity-related damage than their...

Synthetic core strings for cello?

As with nearly everything else in life, trends come and go.  For as long as I’ve been playing cello, most professional-caliber instruments were set up with steel core strings.  The tungsten-wound Spirocore strings from Thomastik were nearly ubiquitous for the G...

Kicking off 2022 with a couple of fun cellos

Happy New Year!  All of us here at Encore Orchestral Strings and Paige’s Music wish you all the best in the coming year.  We’re excited about what this year will bring and we’re working hard to make sure we have the instruments, bows, cases, and...

John’s Excellent Adventure

John is building a cello!  Well, trying to.  My interest in violin making precedes any serious cello playing I ever did.  My original plan in high school was to attend the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City.  My dad was adamant that I pursue a...