Violin alert: Beare’s back

Charles Beare, the violin expert and dealer who retired from the historic family in 2012, cannot bear to be out of things. He’s back in business, in competition with J & A Beare. Charles, who advised three generations of virtuosi, is 77. The fiddle business is hotting up.

Here’s the note Charles sent out last night:

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am very pleased to inform you that I am now able to resume normal business and do what I enjoy most, giving opinions and other advice on musical instruments, principally of the violin family.  I am doing this through Beare Violins Ltd, which has since 1998 been the name of the family company that was founded in 1892 and incorporated in 1954.  My son Peter is making new instruments as well as working with me, and we are joined by Ute Wegerhoff (our very skilled restorer who has worked with us since 1992) and Katharine Oakeshott (who has been my personal assistant since 2004).

Initially our services will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be by appointment only, but our intention is to make available again our experience of instruments of the highest quality, old and new.   Beare Violins Ltd has had a small workshop in Kent since 1991, and by March 2015 we hope to have completed the restoration of a neighbouring building in which we look forward to being able to welcome you more warmly and suitably.  In the meantime we can be contacted at the postal address below or by email at bvl@beareviolins.com.

We are no longer connected with J & A Beare Ltd or Beare & Son.

With best regards,

Charles Beare.