Case Study: Complete Cello Restoration with French Polishing
This cello came to us in pieces, badly damaged from damp storage and missing several key components. Through careful structural repair, rebuilding of parts, and a complete French polishing finish, we brought the instrument back to life with a beautiful tone and appearance.
How We Restored a Broken Cello with Full Structural Repair and French Polishing
Initial condition
The cello arrived in pieces, with the back separated into two halves due to damp storage.
Cracks ran along the circumference of the body and in the center of the back.
Missing tailpiece and protective piece at the base of the cello.
Broken bridge, split into two parts.
Old varnish was thick, cracked, and dulled the sound.
Restoration process
1. Back reconstruction – gluing the two halves of the back together and bracing with special rods.
2. Body crack repairs – sealing multiple cracks along the circumference and center of the cello.
3. Opening the front – to access and glue internal parts securely.
4. Replacing missing parts – carving and fitting a new protective piece for the tailpiece base from polysander wood.
5. Bridge restoration – gluing the broken bridge and extending the legs with custom maple blocks for a precise fit.
6. Soundpost fitting – carefully positioning and adjusting for optimal resonance.
7. Reassembly – gluing the front of the cello with special clamps.
8. Presentation – the cello was shown in Sunderland at Test & Pitch Your Idea on October 13, 2023.
9. Varnish removal – painstakingly removing the old cracked varnish by hand sanding without damaging the wood.
10. Surface preparation – cleaning and polishing the body and scroll.
11. French polishing – applying layers of shellac using the traditional French polishing technique over 5–6 days (≈10 hours of work).
12. Final setup – reinstalling the bridge, tailpiece, and strings.
13. Completion – the cello was fully restored, structurally sound, visually renewed, and musically ready.
What Our Clients Say
“For many years I have played a beautiful old English cello, which has needed regular restoration work. For the past 5 years, I have been looking for a second cello that is more robust, so that I don't need to borrow an instrument while mine is being serviced.
I discussed this with Kostia, who suggested looking online for a cello that needed rehabilitation. He looked for several weeks and eventually found a cello in pieces with high-quality wood, which was on eBay at a reasonable price. He and Iryna have lovingly restored the cello, carefully shaping the pieces so they fit together perfectly.
The cello sounded good once it was reconstructed, but Kostia and Iryna then removed the cracked, heavy varnish and replaced it with a thinner shellac coating. This has released the tone, and after working with Kostia and Iryna to optimize the position of the sound post, bridge, etc., I now have a cello with a powerful, complex sound that responds sensitively as I play.
I now have a lovely instrument that far exceeds the expectations I had when the pieces arrived in the post.
Thank you so much, Kostia and Iryna, for bringing this lovely instrument to life again.”
— Penny, cello player
Summary
This project was a complete transformation: from a damp-damaged, broken cello with missing parts and cracked varnish, to a fully restored instrument. Through structural repairs, custom-made components, and traditional French polishing, the cello regained its strength, beauty, and rich sound — ready for many more years of music.
Our Services
Restoration & Repair
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Summary
We can repair, adjust or restore any stringed instruments. We usually work with violins, violas, cellos and double basses but we can also repair guitars, mandolins and other stringed instruments.
We undertake any job, from minor adjustments through to complete restoration.
Common repairs/adjustments include:• Replacing the bass bar
• Replacing or adjusting the bridge
• Replacing or adjusting the sound post
• Scroll and neck restoration
• Fingerboard replacement/adjustment
• Replacing or refurbishing pegs,tailpice ets
• Repairing cracks and regluing edges
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• Crack Repair
• Retouching varnish/revarnishing
• Professional leaning
• Old varnish removal and new varnish application (Shellac).Maximise the potential of your instrument
As experienced performers, we know how to get the best our of your instrument. Schedule a session with us to discuss how we can help your optimise the sound of your instrument. We can advise on the best strings to use, and experiment with moving the soundpost, during your visit.
Bows Restoration & Rehair
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Summary
Bow repairs and rehairing:
We repair and rehair bows using the highest quality horsehair sourced from Mongolia. As well as
rehairing, we can also adjust and repair bows so they play reliably and comfortably.
Common repairs/adjustments include:• Violin / viola / cello / double bass bow rehair
• Leather thumbpiece replacement
• Silver winding repair/replacement
• Screw and eye repair/replacement
• Slide ( for frog) replacement
• Frog repair
• Bow tip replacement
String Instruments For Sale
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Summary
Stringed instruments for sale
We have a varied collection of violins, violas and cellos for sale, together with a selection of bows.
We have affordable student instruments, premium instruments for professionals and a range of mid-
price models. We have played all the instruments in, and are knowledgeable about their strengths
and limitations.
Please visit us to try out our beautiful instruments, or contact us for a video consultation.
How It Works
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Accessible Repair Services
No matter your location, access our top-tier repair services remotely by sending us your instrument with our labels. Even if you are in a remote area, we ensure your instrument receives the highest standard of care.
How It Works
Sending your instrument/bow by post:When you contact us to arrange a rehair/repair, we will send postal labels and, if necessary, a case.
We advise using Royal Mail Special Delivery or a tracked courier service. Please ensure that your have adequate insurance to cover delivery, whether your own or taken out through Royal Mail.
Please take pictures beforehand in case of damage in transit.
We aim to complete repairs/bow rehair in 7-10 days and will contact you if a repair is more complex than you anticipated.
IMPORTANT: Please do not dispatch your instrument until you have received the labels