Strings at Gottschalk Music Center

We have had a number of interesting questions from our string teaching community and concerned parents, so here are some answers to the common requests in an easy to follow, simple to duplicate at home process. If you have any questions or comments please leave a comment on the video or send us a message, this is our first attempt at a video like this and we would love feedback to help us grow and improve.

Cello of note today is sort of an unusual instrument. The "Haddock" Guarneri is a fairly famous violin made by Guarneri in 1734. We are lucky that one of our violin makers makes a very faithful and wonderful copy of this violin. It has always been a popular model violin, and at request a copy of this violin in cello size was made, and turned out to be quite a good cello. We always try to keep one of these in stock, and it tends to be a popular model. One of our teachers in Bakersfield bought one as their personal cello! So here we have the "Haddock" cello, ready to go! European spruce top, epony fittings, titanium endpin, strung with Larsen Soloist A&D and Spirocore Tungsten C&G. This one is on steep discount because it has a finish blemish that was repaired.

Today's cellos of interest are both twins, one made right after the other from the same maker, same mold, same varnish. They look very different because of the varying patterns in the woods used, but both sound excellent and are setup and ready for homes. These are some of our highest end models, all European tonewoods, all very beautiful and of the highest quality -just look at that flame! These cellos were made by a pair of brothers to the highest standards. The only mechanical difference is in setup, one has a graphite composite tailpiece, the other has an ebony tailpiece with integrated tuners. Both are strung with Spirocore Tungsten C&G and Larsen Soloist D&A. They were rented very breifly to the All State groups so they have very gentle indicators that they were played and are discounted because of this.

First of today's highlights is a lovely 7/8 size cello that was constructed with a local teacher's daughter in mind. Fortunately they ended up with a wonderful cello, just not this one! Don't let the smaller size fool you, this is a serious instrument. This cello features all European tonewoods, ebony pegs and fingerboard, a very excellent oil varnish with tasteful antiquing, and a Pearwood neck. It is currently strung with Spirocore Tungsten C&G with Versum A&D, with a carbon composite tailpiece and braided carbon fiber endpin. We have this on a steep discount if anyone is looking for a very sweet sounding instrument!

Everything here got a nice jostle. Here in California you don't need to practice vibrato, you just wait for the state to wobble around you.

Quite an interesting violin and matching original bow came through for some work to get it back into playing condition after a long rest in a closet. This violin and bow are both very excellent in build quality, material choice, and finish. There are some very "American" cosmetic design choices that differ dramatically from European luthier's concepts but the execution of construction is as good as any. Clinton A. Case of Nebraska was an American Violin player and maker of ap...parent talent based on the fine build quality and excellent fit and finish and workmanship inside and outside of this violin. The bow is as good as the violin, all solid silver fittings, and also stamped Clinton A. Case. However, very little historical documentation could be found on the maker. The only resource I could find is an article praising the quality of his instruments from a Nebraska newspaper, included as an image. Almost more interesting than the builder is the restorer listed on a repair label adjacent to the maker's label. The person who restored it in 1902, Victor Squier, was a violin builder and restorer of note - as was his father. The V.C. Squier shop invented a string duplicating machine that allowed more accurate and rapid production of wound strings for guitar and similar instruments. They later became the string supplier for Fender musical instruments, and then the family name was adopted for Squier brand guitars.

We are excited to announce that we will be officially reopening for curbside pickup, repairs, and rental pickups/returns Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12pm-5pm starting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12th. Proper state and local guidelines will be enforced to protect all customers and employees, and we respectfully request that customers wear masks. Walk-ups are welcome, but to ensure quick service we recommend scheduling an appointment. To do this you can call us at 559-298-4400,... email [email protected], or message us here on Facebook. We are so thankful for the incredible support we have received from our loyal customers throughout this process, and we can't wait to see you all again soon! Due to fast rotation of inventory in our orchestral department, our website may not reflect what is actually in stock. Please get in touch for inventory and pricing!

Many of our string supply manufacturers like Thomastik Infeld and Pirastro have set up a helpful program. During the time where our storefront is closed strings purchased through us can be shipped directly to you! Most people who buy strings and supplies here will tell you we are less expensive or at least comparable with online string sellers. If you need any strings, rosin, rests, or anything at all during these interesting times don't hesitate to message us here on Facebook! We will do our very best to make sure you get what you need.

This is usually the season where our string specialist goes traveling a bit and picks up exciting new instruments for the shop. Unfortunately that isn't happening, and we have lots of holes on the wall! We still have an excellent selection of instruments, and we are confident we can find an intstrument fitting your needs if you are interested. For the foreseeable future, as per the rest of the store, we are conducting instrument fittings and repairs by appointment only. This helps us take appropriate measures to ensure safety for all people involved. We would love to help you out in these unusual times, please contact us through the Facebook messenger for any questions.

As of today we are still open for regular business hours. We are committed to preserving a safe environment for our customers and employees, and will be taking several steps to ensure this. All events at both locations are postponed indefinitely. We will announce information regarding rescheduling as the timeline becomes more clear. We are thoroughly cleaning every instrument in stock, and will be providing sanitizing stations for customers and employees. Additionally, we wi...ll be limiting play-testing of all wind instruments and mouthpieces to appointment only so we can ensure that thorough cleaning/disinfecting is performed both before and after. Finally, we will be adding as much of our inventory as possible to our Reverb store (https://reverb.com/shop/gottschalk-music-center) to limit the number of face-to-face interactions necessary. We will continue to monitor all CDC, State of California, and County Health Department guidelines, and will keep you updated on any changes to business hours or operations. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Violinists, this one is for you! Purchase a set of Dominant violin strings and receive a FREE Boveda Humidity Control Starter Kit while supplies last! Plus, we install them for free for your convenience! #gottschalkmusiccenter #violin #violinist #thomastikinfeld #orchestra #orchestralife #strings #boveda #humidityisnotmyfriend

Pictured here is a higher end model we just got into the store, our Giovanni Clemente "Madison Grace" violin. This is from a pair of only two made by a very talented violin builder, and our private violin instructor has given it high praise for power and projection, as well as complexity of voice in a contemporary instrument. Swing by to see this and many of our other exciting violins.

We've been absent for a while, and wanted to remind everyone that we are still here! We have lots of exciting things happening at the store, lots of moving and transitions. We still have a very exciting stock of quality instruments and supplies!