by John Rihani | Jul 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
My oldest daughter asked to come to work with me this morning. She’s been coming to Paige’s since before she could walk…and she’s been running around the store ever since she could walk! Up until today, her visits have been purely for fun...
by John Rihani | Jul 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
A couple of years ago, a discussion with then-Nebraska-based luthier Christopher Jacoby resulted in us ordering a cello. After a move to the east coast, adding another baby to the family, and a new job, it sounds like the cello should be here in the next few months! ...
by John Rihani | Jul 2, 2019 | Uncategorized
I get the chance to work with young musicians every day and they often ask for advice about being a successful musician. While much of the advice I’ve given out over the years mirrors these lists by professional oboist Pamela Ajango, I’ve never summarized...
by Regina Eddington | Jun 26, 2019 | Shoulder Rests
Using a shoulder rest for your violin or viola is not mandatory and is mainly about personal preference. Even though you do not necessarily need one to play violin or viola, we can absolutely help you choose the right shoulder rest for you! Using a shoulder rest is...
by Regina Eddington | Jun 13, 2019 | Heat, Humidity, Summer
We’re approaching the time of year where temperatures are averaging above 75 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity levels in Indiana. We all know that cold winters present it’s own challenges, but the summer heat can create just as many issues. Wood is an organic...
by John Rihani | May 28, 2019 | Uncategorized
We’ve been excited about the International Society of Bassists convention being held in Bloomington this year ever since it was announced! Encore has always had a soft spot for bassists and we are one of the few shops in the area with enough room to stock a...
by John Rihani | May 21, 2019 | Uncategorized
While the Coda Marquise GS – their new top offering – has been out in the wild for a while, I have not heard much formal feedback from owners at this point. When one of our long time customers bought one six months ago, I asked him if you would write up a...
by John Rihani | May 7, 2019 | Uncategorized
I recently used social media to ask my cellist friends what kind of rosin they liked to use. I’ve been using the same rosin – Pirastro Oliv – for nearly twenty years. My reasoning has always been the old, “if it ain’t broke, don’t...
by John Rihani | Apr 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
While there is no way I could cover even an overview of violin family instrument varnish in a single blog post, it’s been on my mind this past week. Several of the makers we work with either send me pictures of the instrument in various stages of construction,...
by John Rihani | Apr 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
As I helped a cellist choose a bow last week, it struck me what a wide selection of cello bows we currently have at the shop. In pernambuco bows, we have everything from nickel-mounted workshop bows all the way to gold-mounted, master-maker bows. In carbon-fiber, we...
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