“an amazing collection of knowledge – a landmark on stringed instruments” — The Strad
“Monumental … its value as an important, new standard reference work is unquestionable” — JAMIS

For over 250 years the heartwood of Brazil's pernambuco tree has been crafted into the finest bows used by violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists for the creation of glorious music.

The survival of pernambuco is now threatened by continuing encroachment on its fragile habitat in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. To raise funds for replanting programs, research, and educational outreach, and to better preserve our cultural heritage, IPCI-Canada and Archetype Publications (UK) have published the world's most extensive book on the restoration of instruments and bows. IPCI-Canada, a non-profit organization, is an affiliate of the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative.

The Conservation, Restoration, and Repair of Stringed Instruments and Their Bows

Edited by Tom Wilder
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  • 150 articles
  • 120 contributors
  • 1,600 pages
  • 8.5 x 11 inches
  • cloth-bound
  • over 900 b&w and 100 colour photographs
  • 300 technical drawings
  • cross-referencing
  • bibliography and index
  • Documentation CD-ROM

At over 1600 pages, including 1000 photographs, 300 technical drawings, and a CD ROM, this publication is "simply a must," say Joseph Grubaugh & Sigrun Seifert.

More praise for the publication:

"One of the greatest sources of information for anyone who is a fiddle aficionado." — David Burgess in The Strad
"The ultimate work on stringed instruments." — Danish Museum of Music
"This book makes a huge contribution to bow making and restoration ... an invaluable reference that will allow the craft to advance." — Paul Siefried
"This book is a masterpiece, both in the information it imparts and the beauty of its presentation. It is invaluable." — Peter Oxley
"Une inestimable somme d'informations ... une 'bible' pluridisciplinaire." — Cité de la musique, Paris
"An encyclopedic, staggering collection of knowledge." — Roger Hargrave
"A treasure trove of wisdom by a cast of contributors in the vanguard of today's renaissance of violin and bow making." — Strings Magazine, May 2011
"This superbly executed work represents an enormous effort masterfully realized ... readable and beautiful; the index is good, the photography and illustrations crisp, the paper choice perfect, and the use of second colour terrific. The varnished paper jacket, laminated on the inside to give it the right weight, is a clever touch." — Alcuin Society Award for Book Design, Best Reference Book

Support IPCI Conservation Projects

All profits will support the research, reforestation, and educational activities of the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative.

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Step-by-step

Procedures are broken down into generously illustrated steps. All materials and tools are listed and systems of measurement are standardized for clarity.

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Scholarship

Theoretical, scientific, and historical articles on materials, environment, conservation, restoration, and connoisseurship

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Comprehensive schemas

Detailed instrument and bow schemas provide the most complete and standardized system available for examination, description, and documentation.

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Create, print, and store reports

Includes a Documentation CD-ROM with editable forms for computerized documentation and condition reporting and digital storage.

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