What is a set-up?

A set-up is the fine adjustments made by a luthier that allows an instrument to play to its full potential. An instrument that has not been properly set-up may suffer from buzzing strings, slipping pegs that do not hold their tuning, poor tone production and can feel uncomfortable to play. At Faversham Strings we carry out the following checks and adjustments to every instrument:

refit or replace the pegs
adjust the fingerboard and nut
adjust or replace the bridge and soundpost
lubricate the tail piece adjusters and bow screw

We then play the instrument to ensure that it meets our high standards!

Testimonials

I just bought my first violin at the age of 44 from this lovely Lady. I didn't know what to buy or who to take lessons from! Marina was so full of knowledge and walked me through the whole process so when it came time to choose the right violin, I felt confident in what I chose. She also put me on to a great teacher that is so good and I am enjoying my new adventure. My violin teacher keeps complimenting me on the violin and all that I got with it, so that just confirms to me what a wonderful job Marina did for me. She is always there when I have a question and I even get texts asking how I am doing. I would highly recommend Faversham strings for any purchases as it has been a pleasure and I have appreciated the extra attention she gives.

Thank you for Eliza's beautiful new violin. She really loves it and asked me to tell you that she particularly loves the soulful sound it makes. It really is an absolutely beautiful instrument, thank you for the time you spent preparing it.

I recently purchased a cello through Faversham Strings for my 9 year old daughter. It was a big decision to make due to the price and making sure my daughter had a commitment to continuing with her lessons.

I asked Marina many questions about prices, re sale value and quality. My questions were answered honestly and I was given additional information about strings, sound quality, insurance etc.

My daughter Charlotte has been so pleased to have her own cello and I can really tell the difference in sound from the one she was borrowing, it is a much smoother, richer sound.

I would thoroughly recommend buying an instrument from Faversham Strings. I know if any problems arose I would be able to ask Marina her advice and it would be readily given.

I am a regular customer at Faversham Strings and have found the help, advice and quality of work invaluable. Marina has worked on a lot of student instruments for me,some of which have been in a sorry state and have come back looking and sounding wonderful. Excellent work, helpful advice, always very informative on the work done and affordable.

Quite a few of my students have now bought violins and violas from Faversham Strings and it is always good to know that they have been properly and professionally set up and produce a lovely tone. I have also had a lot of work done in my own viola which I was very pleased with.

Liam is absolutely over the moon with his new cello which we bought recently from Faversham Strings. Marina kindly took the time show me an example of the cello we were looking to order and discussed options for string upgrades that she felt best suited the instrument. The end result is a cello which, for a student instrument, looks and sounds comparable to some much more expensive cellos we’d seen. The service and attention to detail we received from Marina was second to none and I wouldn’t hesitate to wholeheartedly recommend Faversham Strings.