Welcome to the Lashof Violins Web Site. Our mission is to
offer useful and truthful
information about violins, violin care
and maintenance, and provide quality
products so our customers can feel confident about
their purchases. We are dedicated to providing courteous and informative service.
While there are many violin-related products available on
the market, we pride ourselves in offering dependable products
that we can stand behind and the best prices for those
products.
Many factors affect the prices for instruments and accessories. We choose not to
sell accessories and instruments through the internet so
we can continue to offer high quality services to our in-store customers. Find out the truth
about string pricing. Come and visit us, value for value,
you will not be overcharged. Please call for prices
on any of the accessories, bows, or instruments that you might need.
See
what people say about us!
Why
to Choose Lashof Violins:
- We
specialize in violins, violas, cellos, and their bows and
we understand the craft from all aspects - making,
playing, repairing, and teaching. All of our sales staff are
trained instrument repair technicians with
countless hours behind the bench and have over 75 years of
combined experience in the violin business.
- We
stock a large selection of new and vintage instruments
and bows ranging from the beginner to the
advanced student level. We stock instruments based on
quality, not the lowest priced instruments on the
market. We choose not to sell the quality of
instruments that run rampant on the internet-- like
the $100.00 violins that typically need at least
another $150.00 in
repairs just to make them playable.
- Instruments and bows are available for a
no-obligation trial period. (see
Instrument page for more details). We do not sell
hand made instruments over the Internet. Instead of
offering a few "shop" brands of instruments,
we search for both new and used instruments of quality
from all types of suppliers.
- Lashof
Violins specializes in Composite Bows
- Graphite and Carbon fiber. We are proud to stock one of the
largest selections of composite bows available. We feel strongly about
supporting this new, high-quality innovation since the
Pernambuco
wood that is used for fine bows is now an endangered
species. Composite bows are available to ship for
prepaid-trial anywhere within the US.
- Up
to 100%
trade-in value makes it easy for students to advance
(less any devaluation due to wear;
available only on instruments still in a resaleable
condition).
- Next-day
bow rehairing and a free "loaner" bow
available while your bow is being rehaired. (Loaner
bows kept more than 10 days past the date the rehair
was finished are subject to a rehairing/restocking
fee. Lashof Violins reserves the right to refuse this
option at any time.)
- The
most consumer-friendly rental purchase program around. Be an educated
consumer--find out what questions
to ask before you rent.
- Easy
directions, free parking, no appointment necessary.
- Free
1 week trial of instruments and bows with no
obligation to buy, only the responsibility for the items
you have out. Credit Card required for trial.
- Warranty on all instrument and bow purchases.
- The
beginner’s
needs are always treated as seriously as those of the advanced
player.
- We have an
excellent selection of the most requested music titles in stock, with
all of our collections of works cross-referenced by piece
title and composer.
- Your
property is fully insured while in our possession and will
never leave the premises because we do all repairs
on-site.
- All
of our dedicated staff are salaried employees so
no commissions or sale-related bonuses are paid - our
interests lie solely in helping you find the
instrument that will best meet your needs.
About
the Staff
David
Lashof is originally from the Washington, DC
Metro area. He began his music career at age 8 on piano
and soon switched to the violin. At age 15, he made his first violin under the tutelage of
Willis M. Gault (1908-1991). In 1977, David
continued his violin
making education at the Chicago
School of Violin Making with master Tschu Ho
Lee. During his time at the Chicago School, Mr. Lashof taught some of the first-year students,
including some members of Mr. Lee's family. After
graduating, he went to work for
Weavers Violin Shop in Maryland as the cello and bass
repair specialist and continued to make instruments,
selling all through the shop. Working closely
with Mr. William Weaver and Roger Kirkbride, the bow specialist,
David continued to refine and hone his repair skills. When
Mr. Kirkbride retired, Dalton Potter (a gifted guitar
maker), joined the staff, learning the fine violin business
from Mr. Weaver and Mr. Lashof. As the senior repairmen and only violin maker
on staff until 1988, Mr. Lashof performed the more
complicated restorations such as neck grafts and sound
post patches.
In order to have unrestrained access to his customers, Mr.
Lashof opened his own shop in 1988 just 10 miles north of the
Washington Beltway in Gaithersburg, MD. To date,
David has made more than
160 instruments (view
his violin making picture diary.) Lashof instruments are
made on a commission basis, although we sometimes have
instruments in-stock available to try. Check out the
instrument page for any available Lashof instruments.
After 35 years in the violin business,
David has cut back and
currently acts as a consultant to
the managers, Alicia
Coberly and Genevieve Swift. Alicia and Genevieve
have been in charge of the
day-to-day running of the shop, including instrument
restorations, for several years and David is confident
they are very capable of continuing the business and its high
standards for many years to come.
Alicia Coberly grew up in
Middletown, MD. She began her studies in the violin at the
age of 9. Her interest in violin restoration and making
began in high school when she got her first job at Lashof
Violins. After high school, Alicia attended Immaculata
University where she studied both violin and voice and earned her BA in Music.
Alicia is fully versed in all aspects
of the company--repairs, sales, store stock, and
rentals. She has been with Lashof Violins for 10 years
while apprenticing as a violin maker for 5 years.
Genevieve
Swift grew up in
Wyomissing, PA. Her interest in music began when was very
young and she began lessons to learn the clarinet at age
10. Along with the clarinet, Genevieve has also
studied saxophone, flute, and cello. After high school,
Genevieve began her secondary studies as a music major and
completed her studies at Immaculata University where she
earned her BA in Sociology.
Genevieve has been apprenticing in
violin restoration and making with Mr. Lashof on a
full-time basis for 4 years. She is quite knowledgeable in our rental and
store policies and also serves as our sheet music specialist.
Aviva has been with
us for 6 years. She is our in-house cello expert
as well as a Lashof-trained repairman. Having graduated from the MCPS system, she has a
good working knowledge of the local music scene and is
especially good with our younger customers. She
continues her studies at Hood College.
Alex is the newest
addition to our staff. He is a student at Watkins Mill High
School and is learning the art of violin restoration. Alex
is a violinist who currently performs with his school
orchestra and other small ensembles.
Last, but certainly not least, is our
youngest staff member, Mira. Mira is a cockapoo (a
cocker spaniel/poodle mix) and
loves everyone, especially children.
She is paid in kibble and playtime.
Please feel free to contact us at lashofviolins@yahoo.com
for more information.
May
20th 2004 Washington Times Article
So
you are thinking about buying a violin over the
internet........
There have been many unethical practices in the
violin business over the years and Lashof Violins dedicates itself to honesty and
integrity.
Value for value, you will not be
overcharged at Lashof Violins and you will be treated with
the respect you deserve.
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