Forbes Violins
Services
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Violin and viola repair & setup
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Bow rehair
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Vintage violin sales
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Student violin rentals
"The lifetime of a violin is much longer than our own lives....we are but their caretakers for a time."
The lifetime of a violin is much longer than our own lifetimes. I enjoy finding old vintage violins in disrepair, restoring them to top playing condition, and matching the fiddle with a player who will enjoy that instrument for years to come. For me, there is nothing quite so rewarding as the look on a young person’s face when they find their dream violin.
- Jeffrey Forbes, Violin Matchmaker -
Testimonials
"Jeff has been living and breathing violins ever since I’ve known him. He’s a brilliant and meticulous repairman." - Ben Winship
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“I was lucky enough to meet Jeff during my search for a professional level lifetime violin. I had previously searched for about 5 years and all over Idaho, Washington, Montana, and Utah and was surprised to find that Jeff had just what I was looking for right here in Idaho Falls! My 18th century Bohemian violin is now a family heirloom which I use to teach and perform in both classical and fiddle style. I have since recommended dozens of private students to purchase their lifetime violins from Jeff and I send my violin to him every year for a checkup and bow rehair. We now carry his instruments on consignment at our shop, and he does all new instrument set ups for our retail. Jeff is the only luthier I trust for stringed instrument setup and repair or restoration. Jeff pays attention to detail and handles instruments with care and attention that no one else I've done business with in the past has. He takes time to educate and share his knowledge with his customers as well. Because he is a phenomenal player himself, I know I can trust his expertise. His instrument setups create the best opportunity for ease of playability and production of tone. I am always happy to refer our students and patrons to him!” - Shelby Murdock, Snake River Strings Co., Owner
“Jeff Forbes is an experienced, well-trained luthier who has repaired and refurbished several violins and a cello for us. He is very conscientious and detailed in his work and we have always been happy with the quality of his craftsmanship.” - Alva Parsons
“Jeff provides quality violins for affordable prices. He always treats me and my students with fairness and patience as we find the ‘perfect match.’ His repairs show attention to fine details bringing your instrument back to life, likely better than it had ever been before. As always, I highly recommend students and friends to Jeff for their violin needs!” - Payton
“I picked up playing the fiddle a couple years ago. Jeff brought my fiddle up to speed. He was very helpful, got me in right away. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing help. Price was reasonable and he did a very good job.” - Linda
“When looking for a high quality violin that I could play for the rest of my life, I went to Jeff! He had a beautiful selection of violins and I found the perfect one for me. I have taken it to college with me and have performed with it in many different groups and settings! I would highly recommend Forbes Violins for anyone looking for a high quality instrument at a good price. “ -Gracie
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"This is a testimonial letter of recommendation and commendation for a friend, and favorite luthier Jeff Forbes. I have known Jeff for a number of years and he has repaired, appraised, researched and cleaned numerous instruments and bows for me. He sets up, restrings, repairs bows and gets your instrument ready for you to play with your individual tastes and needs.
I have highly recommended him to my friends and fellow musicians who are as pleased with his work as I have been. Jeff is always willing to “take a look” to tell you up front and honest if the instrument is worthy of the time and expense to be fixed. If it is a “treasure” you can be sure he treats all instruments with dignity – and can be trusted with your most valuable instrument. He will give you an estimate – some helpful advice – good suggestions and never tries to talk you into something you won’t need or want." -Arline Peterson, former chair of (IOTFA) District #7 Old Time Fiddlers Assn.
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"We have known Jeff for many years and he has fixed different instruments for us. Thank you for fixing my dad’s 100+year old violin, bow, and doing the research on its origin. Jeff is very knowledgeable on all kinds of instruments, honest on his estimates, and conscience." -Joel & Adele, Chubbuck Idaho
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About me....
My name is Jeff Forbes, and I operate a small violin shop and studio in my home in Idaho Falls.
I have played the violin since 1964, and have been doing violin repair and restoration since 1995.
My interest in violins dates back to my childhood in the 1960s, when I spent many hours looking over the shoulder of respected Indianapolis luthier Thomas Smith. As he performed setups and repairs on stringed instruments, Mr. Smith patiently explained each tool and operation to an inquisitive teenager. Although I chose a different career as a professional geologist, I continued to play the violin, performing semi-professionally with several orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Broadway Symphony (Seattle), and the Albuquerque Chamber Orchestra in New Mexico.
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My next luthier mentor was David Kurland of Old World Violins in Albuquerque. During the 1990s, I began to acquire and repair old fiddles. As violin restoration problems would arise, Mr. Kurland offered advice, and helped me develop violin repair skills.
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In 2003, I accepted a job at the Idaho National Laboratory as a groundwater hydrogeologist, and my family and I moved to Idaho Falls, where we have lived for 20 years. During this time, I continued to perform violin setup and repair work in my home workshop.
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Beginning in 2012, I began attending summer violin repair workshops in Massachusetts taught by renowned luthier Hans Nebel. Mr. Nebel, a fourth-generation violin maker from Mittenwald, Germany, had worked for many years in the famous Rembert Wurlitzer violin shop in New York. He is among an elite group entrusted with the repair and restoration of some of the world’s most valuable violins, violas, and cellos. The Nebel summer workshops I attended over five years allowed me to learn the finer points of violin neck resets, crack repair, edge doubling, retouching of varnish, and other more involved restoration techniques.
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Upon my retirement from the INL in 2018, I began operating my small business (Forbes Violins) from our home in Idaho Falls. Services include:
• Violin, viola and cello setup and repair
• Bow rehair
• Vintage violin sales
• Student violin sales and rentals