by John Rihani | Jan 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
Please allow me a moment of reflection as Encore passed it’s 10-year anniversary this past November. Almost as if the shop were celebrating, we’ve paired up three modern master instruments with their new owners in as many months. When we started this...
by John Rihani | Jan 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
IMEA’s annual conference (in Ft. Wayne this year) is a chance for orchestra directors, band directors, choir directors, private instructors, students, and a host of others to gather in one place to learn and share. I’ve attended each year for the past...
by John Rihani | Jan 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
This time of year, with crazy temperature swings and wildly fluctuating humidity levels in our homes, it is typical for cello pegs to slip or “let go”…leaving strings completely loose. When we then bring the strings back up to pitch, we often tip...
by John Rihani | Dec 27, 2016 | Uncategorized
John gets to spend the week with his family and apologizes in advance if you were absolutely counting on seeing his smiling face. Regina is here most of the week and will be happy to take care of all of your Encore-related needs. We look forward to serving you in...
by John Rihani | Dec 20, 2016 | Uncategorized
This time of year is so much fun as we help people shop for Christmas presents. One of the most common questions is about electric instruments. I love electric instruments and all of the neat things that they can do, but they are so often purchased as an...
by John Rihani | Dec 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
I’ve been going through the cellos and basses in the shop and have found quite a few open seams…which is completely normal for this time of year. It’s just worth noting that these are instruments that are just sitting still, resting in the racks,...
by John Rihani | Dec 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
As I looked at the forecast for later this week, I realized…winter is coming. We already have the humidifier running in our showroom and we’re already flipping coins for who has to fill up the tanks! As the temperatures drop and our furnaces run, the...
by John Rihani | Nov 29, 2016 | Uncategorized
We just received the first two (of four) Antonio Banfi violins. These violins are, like so many instruments made today, a collaboration. They start out life as master-made, unvarnished Chinese violins with the top and back left “thick” for final carving...
by John Rihani | Nov 22, 2016 | Uncategorized
I posted last week about a wonderful dinner we had in honor of Larry Wilke visiting after dropping off his cello at the VSA competition in Cleveland. His cello, along with a cello by one of his sons Ben (age 19), underwent nearly a week of evaluation for workmanship...
by John Rihani | Nov 15, 2016 | Uncategorized
Lawrence Wilke, the award-winning cello maker, came to stay with me for an evening earlier this week. It was a perfect opportunity for local cellists fortunate enough to own one of his instruments to come together for food and fellowship. We had Wilke cellos from...
Recent Comments