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Continuing Education

Violin Repair Workshop

MCLA is very proud to be the preferred university by Hans Nebel, renowned violin repair expert,  to offer this program. Given the small class size and the hands-on nature of these programs, you'll find information gained practical and rewarding. Mr. Nebel's advanced programs are built on an eight-part-cycle which offers a different topic each year.

Topics included in coming years:

  • Fitting new upper & lower block
  • Rib & lining repair
  • Crack repair & crack reinforcements
  • Edge repair and edge replacements & edge doublings
  • Correcting misshapen Archings & fitting of patches
  • Resetting of neck,
  • Neck graft
  • Retouching of varnish

Hans J. Nebel, master craftsman and internationally known violin restorer, is the fourth generation of violin makers and a graduate of the Bavarian State School of Violinmaking in Mittenwald. Mr. Nebel started his professional career at Rembert Wurlitzer, Inc., in New York City, where he worked for 18 years. He became a long term disciple of Maestro S.F. Sacconi, the universally acknowledged dean and originator of modern repair technique and restoration. On suggestion of Dario D'Attili and Maestro Sacconi, he was appointed head of the restoration department at Wurlitzer, a firm that was considered the Mecca of the violin business in the United States. Since 1974, Mr. Nebel has headed his own business in New Jersey, where he specializes in major restoration and the sale of quality stringed instruments and bows. He accompanied the New York Philharmonic on its tour of the Far East as a caretaker of their fine instruments, and was recently invited by the Liuteria Parmense to teach Master Class courses in Violin Restoration in Parma, Italy. For 37 years he has taught violin repair at several universities and is happy to continue his efforts at MCLA. He is a founder member of the American Federation of Violin and Bowmakers, a Founder of the Violin Society, and a member of the International Society of Violin and Bowmakers.

For more information, please call (413) 662-5576.

Summer 2012workshops: 

Week I
June 4-8, 2012
Introduction to Proper Violin Set-up (including minor exterior repairs)

Week II
June 11 - 15, 2012 Workshop in Advanced Repair- Retouching of Varnish (including filling of cracks)

Week  III                                           June 18-22, 2012                                                                                                       
Workshop in Advanced Violin Repair - Fitting of New Upper and Lower Block  

Week IV
June 25-June 29, 2012
Workshop in Advanced Violin Repair-
Rib Repair (to include straightening ribs with counterpart/mold)

Tuition:             Tuition cost for week 1 Introduction workshop is $800.

Advanced workshops in weeks two, three and four is $845.00 per week.