Dealers and Restorers in Fine Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses & Bows

Sound is paramount for a player but it is also vital that they can be confident in the provenance, condition and value of an instrument. This is of particular importance in the case of high-value instruments which also become an investment for the owner.

Tim toft

About

Tim Toft is an internationally recognised violin dealer and trusted authority on stringed instruments. We have one of the largest collections of fine violins in the UK.

Our violin shop is situated in the delightful market town of Stone in Staffordshire. Our three-storey building, which dates from 1820, offers customers fitting surroundings in which to view and try our selection of fine violins for sale and instruments of all eras. We have an extensive range of old and modern instruments spanning the baroque, classical and modern periods – one of the largest in the UK.

Customers are welcome to try out instruments on the premises in one of several special rooms designed for this purpose. Along with our extensive range of violins for sale, we offer student and beginner violins and instrument rental.

Our full collection of instruments and bows can be viewed here.

We also have a selection of fine instruments available.

Our Services

Instrument Repair

Repair & Restoration

We pride ourselves on the standard of our violin repair and restoration services. We also restore and repair violas, cellos, double basses and bows. Most repairs are carried out on the premises under the auspices of our head of workshop, Jeongwoon Choi. We also offer violin bow rehair services and bridge replacement.

Valuation & Certification

Valuation, Appraisal & Certification

We are consultants for auction houses, financial institutions and insurance companies. Tim has amassed an extensive archive and reference library and has had over 40 years of attending every significant auction of instruments worldwide. Learn more about our valuation & appraisal services.

Tim Toft Fine Violins Expert

Who Is Tim Toft?

Tim Toft started in the violin business over 45 years ago. Tim is now an internationally established violin expert and trusted authority on fine violins, their bows and other stringed instruments. Learn more about Tim and the people that work at Tim Toft Violins.

Instrument Rental

Instrument Rental

We cater for beginners and intermediate players with our ‘Debut’ instruments. These have been improved and set up by our workshop using good quality strings. You can rent these instruments from us directly for a monthly fee.

Latest Articles

James Tubbs (25 March 1835-19 April 1921), by John Basford

His Life James Tubbs has had a bad press. Violin literature has characterised him as a drunk, from a family of drunks who lived dissolute lives. The facts indicate something quite different. His working life extended to over 70 years, due to his enforced return to work following the death of his son Alfred in … Read more

Seeing the wood for the trees: bow wood from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century, by John Basford

Many woods were used for bow making in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including Brazilwood/ pernambuco, snakewood/amourette, spindlewood, tung wood, coral wood, ironwood, plum wood, beech wood, ebony, bois d’abeille (also known as bulletwood or massaranduba, though recent usage sometimes translates , bois d’abeille as Brazilwood which would more usually be bois de Brésil) and … Read more

We have a rare a unique collection of Fine Violins for sale

Are you a musician looking to add a fine violin to your collection? Whether you’re an avid collector or a professional musician, we have a selection of fine violins for sale, each one built with masterful craftsmanship and unparalleled detail.

View our range of beautiful instruments and discover why so many musicians have chosen us as their trusted dealer for purchasing quality fine violins.

Why choose Tim Toft Violins?

Tim Toft is an internationally recognised violin dealer whose experience in the industry spans over 45 years. He is a trusted and respected authority on fine violins and stringed instruments.

We have been in business since 1990.

Our certificates of authenticity are internationally recognised.

We have our own in-house repair and restoration workshop and highly skilled luthiers.

One of the largest collections of fine violins in the UK.

Instruments can be viewed and played in our purpose built rooms.

Get in touch

If you are interested in any of the fine violins, bows or other instruments we have for sale at Tim Toft Violins, we can arrange a time for you to come into our shop and try them at your leisure.

If you have any other queries regarding our services then please do not hesitate to contact us using the adjacent contact form.

Tel: +44 (0)1785 811860

Email: info@timtoftviolins.com

Address: 7/9 Station Road, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8JP, UK