How often should I have my violin, viola, cello, or bass bow rehaired?

Active students and ensemble players generally benefit from a bow rehair every 12 to 18 months, while tertiary and professional players typically rehair every 6 to 12 months. If your bow hair has lost its natural grip despite rosin, is thinning on one side (which can warp the stick), or stretches too far when tightened, our luthiers can rehair it with high-grade unbleached horsehair and inspect the tip plate, frog, eyelet, and grip.

Can you repair an instrument that was not purchased from First Strings?

Yes. Our luthiers service, set up, and repair violins, violas, cellos, and double basses of all brands and origins—from beginner factory outfits that need a proper playable setup through to antique family heirlooms and contemporary European instruments.

Why are my tuning pegs slipping or sticking, and how do luthiers fix them?

Queensland's seasonal humidity changes cause ebony/rosewood pegs and maple pegboxes to expand and contract at different rates. Our luthiers inspect the taper of each peg and peg hole, shave or ream them to restore a concentric fit, and treat the contact surfaces with specialist peg compound so tuning is smooth and stable.

How do I book an instrument repair assessment or get a quote?

Call our Gold Coast workshop on (07) 5596 3465, email orders@firststrings.com.au, or visit us at Shop 9, 46-50 Spencer Road on the Gold Coast. One of our luthiers will inspect your instrument at the bench, explain what is needed, and provide a clear quote before any work begins.

Gold Coast Luthier Workshop • Serving Brisbane, QLD & Australia

Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass Repairs, Setups & Bow Rehairing

Q: Who are the luthiers at First Strings and what is their background?

Our Gold Coast workshop is staffed by senior luthier Adrian Petrino, luthier Benjamin Greig, and luthier & violin specialist Ryan Lee. Together, our team brings decades of combined experience from European luthier training in Budapest under Cremonese-trained masters, professional symphony orchestra performance, and senior roles across Queensland's major string workshops including Simply for Strings, Animato Strings, and Vivace Violins.

Q: What is included in a professional First Strings luthier setup?

A complete First Strings workshop setup includes custom-carving the bridge feet to match the exact arching of your instrument's top, shaping the bridge crown and string heights for comfortable action, slotting and shaping the top nut, cutting and positioning the spruce soundpost for balanced tone, reaming and lubricating the pegs with Hill peg paste so they turn smoothly without slipping, checking the tailpiece, fine tuners, and endpin, and fitting and play-testing the strings.

Q: Do you service and repair school string instrument fleets in Queensland?

Yes. First Strings partners with state and independent schools across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Queensland to maintain school violin, viola, cello, and double bass fleets. We provide clear, itemised repair quotes referenced by school asset ID, transparent pricing on strings, bridges, soundposts, pegs, and structural repairs, and dependable turnaround over school holidays or term time.

Whether you play a beginner student outfit, a school fleet cello, or a fine European concert instrument, the way an instrument responds under the bow and left hand comes down to the precision of its workshop setup. At our dedicated luthier workshop on the Gold Coast, senior luthier Adrian Petrino, luthier Benjamin Greig, and luthier & violin specialist Ryan Lee provide specialist orchestral string repairs, custom bridge and soundpost carving, bow rehairing, tonal adjustments, and school fleet servicing for players and educators across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, South East Queensland, and Australia.

Book a Workshop Assessment Call Workshop: (07) 5596 3465 School Fleet Servicing & Quotes

3 In-House Workshop Luthiers All repairs & setups completed on the Gold Coast by Adrian Petrino, Benjamin Greig & Ryan Lee.

Queensland Workshop Pedigree Decades of combined European training & experience across Queensland's major string workshops.

Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass From 1/16 fractional student outfits to advanced Luthier & European concert instruments.

QLD School Fleet Specialists Itemised per-asset repair quotes & holiday fleet servicing for Gold Coast & Brisbane schools.

Know Who Works on Your Instrument

Meet Our Gold Coast Luthier Team

It is easy to make claims about what is included in an instrument setup or repair. We believe it is just as important to show you who is actually doing the work at the bench.

A Trusted Home for Queensland String Players & Educators: Our workshop on the Gold Coast brings together experienced luthiers and professional string specialists with deep roots across Queensland's major string workshops — including senior bench experience from established Brisbane and Gold Coast violin houses such as Simply for Strings, Animato Strings, and Vivace Violins.

Whether you are driving down the M1 from Brisbane, visiting us locally on the Gold Coast, or sending school instruments from across Queensland, your instrument is cared for by craftspeople who combine traditional European luthier training with professional orchestral playing insight.

Senior Luthier

Adrian Petrino

With more than 20 years at the luthier bench (working in the Australian music industry since 1990 and as a senior luthier since 2005), Adrian has cared for thousands of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses belonging to Queensland's string teachers, students, and professional players.

A violinist, former Gold Coast strings educator, and Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra player, Adrian relocated to Budapest, Hungary for three years to complete a traditional European luthier apprenticeship studying under Cremonese-trained master luthiers, followed by senior workshop leadership roles in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

20+ Years at the Bench Cremonese Lineage (Budapest) Master Setups & Restoration

Luthier

Benjamin Greig

Benjamin is a dedicated orchestral string luthier at First Strings' workshop on the Gold Coast, where every instrument passes through meticulous hand work before reaching a player or school music department.

Specialising in precision bridge carving, soundpost fitting, peg reaming and taper matching, nut and fingerboard action geometry, and structural workshop repairs across violin, viola, cello, and double bass, Benjamin ensures both individual instruments and large Queensland school fleets tune effortlessly and play comfortably from day one.

Bridge & Action Geometry Violin to Double Bass School Fleet Repairs

Luthier & Violin Specialist

Ryan Lee

Ryan combines nearly 20 years of professional orchestral performance and pedagogy — including performing with the Seoul Philharmonic / New Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (2009–2014) — with hands-on workshop luthiery on the Gold Coast.

Because Ryan approaches every setup and repair with a professional violinist's ear and left-hand sensitivity, he excels at diagnosing subtle playability issues, refining top nut and bridge heights, fitting pegs, adjusting soundposts for tonal clarity, and preparing detailed repair assessments for families and schools.

Orchestral Player's Ear Fine Setup & Voicing Repair Assessments

Complete Orchestral String Care

Workshop Repair, Setup & Bow Services

We service all sizes and levels of orchestral string instruments — whether purchased from First Strings or elsewhere — using traditional luthier techniques and premium European tonewoods and fittings.

1. Professional Luthier Setups & Adjustments

Transform a stiff, hard-to-tune instrument into one that speaks easily and stays in tune. Learn more about our First Strings Setup Standards.

Custom-carved bridge feet fitted flush to the belly arching
Precision bridge crown curvature & string height (action) setting
Top nut reshaping, string spacing & slot height refinement
Spruce soundpost cutting, bevel fitting & tension adjustment
Peg reaming, shaving & Hill peg compound lubrication
Tailpiece, Wittner fine-tuner, tailgut & endpin inspection

2. Bow Rehairing, Servicing & Restoration

Your bow accounts for half of your tone and articulation. We rehair and restore wooden and carbon-fibre violin, viola, cello & double bass bows.

Full bow rehair with premium unbleached stallion horsehair
Leather thumb grip & wire/silver/whalebone-style lapping replacement
Broken or cracked bow tip plate replacement
Frog slide fitting, brass eyelet & screw replacement
Bow stick camber (curve) re-cambering & straightening
Deep cleaning of stick & frog rosined buildup

3. Custom Bridges, Soundposts & Tonal Voicing

Every instrument top has a unique graduation and curve. Pre-cut blanks never transfer vibration properly without hand-carving.

Hand-carved aged maple bridges (including French Aubert & Despiau blanks)
Heart, kidney & wing thicknessing for warmth vs. brilliance
Custom split-spruce soundpost carving & seasonal repositioning
Wolf-note suppression & string balance optimisation
Acoustic assessment and string pairing consultations (Pirastro, Thomastik, Larsen, Jargar, Warchal)

4. Pegs, Fingerboards, Nuts & Neck Work

Eliminate slipping or frozen pegs, buzzing notes, and high left-hand action caused by Queensland's humidity shifts or worn ebony.

Peg hole reaming & matching ebony, rosewood, or boxwood pegs
Boxwood / maple spiral peg-hole bushings for worn pegboxes
Planed & dressed ebony fingerboards (removing ruts & restoring scoop)
New hand-shaped ebony top nuts and lower saddles
Loose fingerboard regluing & neck projection resets

5. Cracks, Open Seams & Structural Repairs

From minor humidity seam openings to major structural cello and double bass repairs, we use traditional reversible hot hide glue.

Open rib-to-plate seam regluing with traditional hide glue
Top & back crack repairs reinforced with internal spruce/maple cleats
Soundpost crack & bass bar crack restoration
Broken neck heel, button & scroll repairs
Cello & double bass endpin unit replacement & block reinforcement
Sympathetic varnish cleaning, rosin removal & spirit retouching

6. String Fitting, Upgrades & Condition Checks

Unsure why an instrument sounds nasal, dull, or difficult to play? Bring it to our bench for an honest luthier evaluation.

Complimentary bench assessment & obligation-free repair quote
Professional string installation & stretching with bridge posture check
Fine-tuner, chinrest, shoulder rest & tailpiece upgrades
Pre-exam (AMEB) and pre-audition instrument health checkups
Warranty servicing backed by our First Strings Warranty

For Heads of Strings & Music Coordinators

Queensland & Australian School Instrument Fleet Servicing

Nothing holds back a school string program faster than hire instruments with sky-high bridges, slipping pegs, stripped fine tuners, or bald bows. First Strings works closely with state and independent schools across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and regional Queensland to keep school violin, viola, cello, and double bass fleets in peak playing condition.

Our luthiers inspect each instrument individually and prepare clear, itemised repair quotes referenced by your school's Asset ID / Barcode, instrument size, and model — making budget sign-off simple for Music Coordinators and Business Managers.

Request a School Fleet Quote Explore Educator Program

Why Schools Trust Our Workshop

Itemised Per-Asset Quotes: Every violin, viola, cello, and double bass is listed by school asset code with transparent line items before work starts.
Holiday & Term-Break Turnaround: Scheduled bulk servicing over end-of-term and summer holidays so instruments are ready for Week 1.
Complete Fleet Coverage: Fractional 1/16–4/4 violins & violas, cellos, and 1/8–3/4 school double basses (bridges, soundposts, endpins, seams & bow rehairs).
Gold Coast & Brisbane Logistics: Convenient workshop drop-off on the Gold Coast or coordinated school collection/delivery for bulk fleets.

Simple, Transparent Process

How to Book Your Instrument Service or Repair

Located on the Gold Coast just minutes off the M1, our workshop welcomes players, parents, and teachers from across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Northern NSW.

Visit or Contact Our Workshop

Call us on (07) 5596 3465, email orders@firststrings.com.au, or bring your instrument and bow to our Gold Coast workshop at Shop 9, 46–50 Spencer Road, QLD 4211.

Free Bench Assessment & Quote

One of our luthiers — Adrian, Benjamin, or Ryan — will inspect your instrument in person, discuss any tone or playability goals, and provide a clear, itemised quote and timeframe.

Precision Luthier Work & Play-Test

Once approved, your setup, repair, or bow rehair is completed in-house at our bench, play-tested for response and intonation, and ready for pickup or dispatch.

Frequently Asked Questions

String Instrument Repair & Setup FAQs

Answers to common questions from players, parents, and string educators across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Queensland.

Where can I get a violin, viola, cello, or double bass repaired on the Gold Coast or near Brisbane?

First Strings operates a dedicated orchestral string luthier workshop on the Gold Coast (Shop 9, 46–50 Spencer Road, QLD 4211), with easy access right off the M1 for families, professional musicians, and schools travelling from across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Logan, Redlands, and Northern NSW. All repairs, setups, and bow rehairs are completed in-house by our luthiers Adrian Petrino, Benjamin Greig, and Ryan Lee.

Who are the luthiers at First Strings and what is their background?

Our Gold Coast workshop team features senior luthier Adrian Petrino (20+ years at the bench, trained for three years in Budapest, Hungary under Cremonese-trained luthiers), luthier Benjamin Greig, and luthier & violin specialist Ryan Lee (former Seoul Philharmonic / New Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra violinist). Collectively, our workshop brings together decades of senior experience across Queensland's major string workshops — including luthiers who previously worked with established Brisbane and Gold Coast violin houses such as Simply for Strings, Animato Strings, and Vivace Violins.

What is included in a professional First Strings luthier setup?

A comprehensive First Strings workshop setup includes custom-carving the bridge feet to match your instrument's top arching, shaping the bridge crown and string action heights, slotting and refining the ebony top nut, cutting and positioning the spruce soundpost for balanced resonance, reaming and lubricating the pegs with Hill peg paste so they turn smoothly, checking the tailpiece, fine tuners, and endpin, and installing and play-testing your strings.

How often should a violin, viola, cello, or double bass bow be rehaired?

Students and ensemble players typically need a bow rehair every 12 to 18 months, while advancing tertiary and professional players rehair every 6 to 12 months. If your bow hair looks thin on one side, fails to grip the string even with fresh rosin, or requires over-tightening the screw, our luthiers can rehair it with premium unbleached horsehair and check the tip plate, thumb leather, winding, and camber.

Do you service and repair school string instrument fleets in Queensland?

Yes. We partner with state and independent schools across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Queensland to maintain school violin, viola, cello, and double bass fleets. We provide itemised quotes per school asset ID, competitive school pricing on strings, bridges, soundposts, pegs, and structural repairs, and scheduled holiday or term-time turnaround.

Can you repair or set up an instrument that wasn't bought at First Strings?

Absolutely. Our luthiers service, set up, and restore violins, violas, cellos, and double basses of any brand or origin — whether you have an online or retail student outfit that needs a proper playable bridge and peg setup, a school fleet instrument, or an antique family or European instrument requiring tonal adjustment or crack restoration.

Why do my pegs keep slipping or sticking in Queensland weather?

Subtropical humidity changes across the Gold Coast and Brisbane cause wooden pegs and maple pegboxes to expand and contract. When a peg loses its concentric taper against the pegbox walls, it either pops loose or binds tight. Our luthiers shave or ream the peg and peg hole for an exact match and treat the bearing surfaces with specialist peg compound so tuning becomes smooth and effortless.

How do I book an assessment or get a repair quote?

Simply phone our workshop on (07) 5596 3465, email orders@firststrings.com.au, or visit us at Shop 9, 46–50 Spencer Road on the Gold Coast. We will inspect your instrument at the bench and give you a clear, obligation-free quote before starting any work.

Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass Repairs & Servicing