About

Born in central France in a family of wood workers and a musician herself, Lorraine was drawn to violin making from an early age. On deciding to become a violin maker, she came to England in 2006 to study at the renowned Newark School of Violin Making.


She very quickly fell in love with the restoration of old instruments and specialised in that field during her last 2 years at college.


After graduation in 2010, Lorraine spent 9 years working for major restoration workshops in London and elsewhere in the UK where she perfected her skills and knowledge of violins, violas and cellos. She then set up her own workshop in Acton London, working with customers from all around the world, on the best instruments, such as those by Barack Norman, to Nicolo Amati, Antonio Stradivari, and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù…


Although she specialises in large scale restoration, she also undertakes smaller repairs and maintenance work. Over the years, Lorraine has developed a reputation for tonal adjustment.

Restoration


Since Lorraine’s specialisation in restoration, many great instruments by well known makers have visited the workshop.Violins, violas or cellos by : Barak Norman,   B.Banks, The Voller Brothers, V.Panormo, J.B.Vuillaume, N.Gagliano, C.F.Landolfi, C.Camilli, F.Ruggieri, J.B.Rogeri, A.Guarneri, The Brothers Amati, N.Amati, G.B.Guadagnini, A.Stradivari, Guiseppe Guarneri del Gesù…

Lorraine undertakes both repair and restoration, always keeping in mind the ethics of her profession: working in as unintrusive a manner as possible and respecting the intent of the maker whilst keeping the musician in mind.

For many years, she has also been setting up instruments for both amateurs and professional players, taking great care that each instrument is at the best of its tonal qualities and playability.

New Instruments & Sales

Despite focussing on restoration, Lorraine still finds time to make instruments. She always has a project on the go.

Over the years, she has specialised in the cello, an instrument she plays and has always loved.

Do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like to know when her next instrument will be available. Lorraine also accepts commissions for new instruments.

Please reach out if you need more details.

If the instrument you're searching for isn't here, you can always speak to Lorraine about it. She has, in the past, been able to source specific instruments (or bows) using her network!


Current instruments for sale in the workshop:

Testimonials

Neil Heyde (Cellist of the Kreutzer quartet & Head of Postgradate Programmes at the Royal Academy of Music) :

“I have played several of Lorraine’s cellos, every one outstanding and very quick in response. These instruments left a distinguished and lasting impression with me, and a sense of enormous sound potential. Lorraine’s setup also reveals a real sensitivity to, and understanding of, the needs of working musicians!”

Vincent Hunt (Cellist & Teacher, Ireland) :

“Lorraine did a great job repairing a crack along the bass bar of my cello which required hours of meticulous work, especially over the varnish.
Highly to be recommended!”

Ruth Elder (Freelance violininst) :

“Lorraine worked on my violin after it had suffered a knock that caused a crack to appear down the belly of the instrument. Not only was she able to give me an accurate quote on costs and the time she would need to repair it there and then, she also understood how important to me it was to get my instrument repaired and back to work with me as quickly as possible.
Lorraine treated my violin with great care and kept in touch with me throughout the process, understanding how much I treasure my instrument. With my blessing she took the opportunity while it was in her workshop to repair a few other things that also needed some attention such as the corner blocks, some joins that needed gluing, and she fitted a new bridge and soundpost for the instrument, all to a very high standard.
When I came to pick up my instrument, the crack had been repaired expertly, the instrument had been set up with great attention to detail to get the best results from the sound. It felt strong, clean, clear and secure under my hands, and it looked so nice! After playing my violin in the workshop I realised that nothing would need to be adjusted as she had already put everything in place for it to respond to my playing perfectly and it simply sounded better than ever.”

 Oliver Ticciati (Amateur Cellist) :

“Lorraine is a miracle worker — she can remove blemishes that have all the appearance of being permanent and do repairs that are invisible to the naked eye. And if she has had to take your instrument apart in order to repair it, it will almost certainly sound better when you get it back.”

Contact

The Workshop is open by appointment only, drop us a message, a text or simply phone.

Address : 1A East Churchfield road, London, W3 7LL, UK         
Phone : +44 7 449 812 166

The workshop is very accessible, directly opposite Acton Central station (London overground).

It is within easy reach from Acton Town underground station (Piccadilly and District lines) followed by a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride (E3, 70) and from East Acton underground station (Central line) followed by a 10 minute bus ride (70).

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