Guivier, London Occasional, standard service: New soundpost fit.

Guivier, London Occasional, standard service: New soundpost fit: The soundpost transmits the sound of the instrument from the instrument to the hearer, it a single little vital column of wood which fits in the space between the face and back of the instrument. It may sometimes be the case that if a soundpost comes off an instrument due to perhaps unusual, unhealthy action within the case, the player knowing what he or she is doing, and probably only with a tool, can replace this himself or herself through the small f-holes, but it may need to be fixed.

My soundpost had come from its place, and so I had brought my instrument along to Guivier to have it re-positioned. This is a standard service and it is not a really uncommon thing to find the soundpost unstuck though it may not often happen.

Unfortunately I lost my soundpost in transit.

Guivier were very nice and agreed to store my instrument at no charge to save me carrying it around London, for a day or so (and in the event longer than I had expected and asked for) as I needed to check if I could find the soundpost.

I could not to my surprise and so I communicated by electronic mail that I would like a new soundpost cut to fit the instrument and fitted, at the price which had been quoted when I had visited.

I noted that a next day service was not available were I to have communicated, though if things were really urgent, I expect this might have been available. The company were pleasing enough for me to assume this, but I am only guessing.

Also, as I could not make it into Central London for a time when I expected to have been able, the company pleasantly welcomed receiving payment in advance by post so that I could collect when able to make it, they very nicely also storing my instrument for me for when I could not make it for much longer than I had asked first, at no charge.

Although the result was not to my taste, this is a personal thing, and I think as likely as not that I would not be satisfied with the change. I think I have lost all of the personality, or personalities of my instrument completely. The difference is remarkable but I think it is this way with this thing. Soundposts are made from different kinds and different densities of wood and perhaps in different ways which produce great differences to the sound and character, so I believe, as normal, I should have to shop around and try a few crafted new ones. I forgot this actually, advice from years before.

It is been said to me before by others that this does happen, and perhaps at least as much as an un-noticable result.

It could also be, in some part at least, that my last soundpost was an original or an old one and played in over a very long time.

I think Guivier performed a very professional service, and I have to say that there is a formidable and very nice tone, refined, characterful and wise on the instrument pursuant to this adaption, however strange, and probably always to be alien, to me. There is the hint of youth and And, bythe tone has a lot of both experience and naivete but has lost true youth, and true experience of a certain pot possibly. I think the soundpost is not at all sympathetic with the instrument, and I regard I may have to look around to find something again which is.

Watch out for your soundpost! By all means, I recommend Guivier normally.

Guivier string instrument and accessory dealers and repairers have very, very nice service. I was very re-assured. I dealt with one woman nearly exclusively on the few occasions which I visited and telephoned.

The price was £60 or £70 including tax for the crafting of the wooden post and fitting it, last summer, in Central London, just off Regent Street and Oxford Street.

Regarding the summary of good points, it is a bit embarrassing, I don't know if it might be usual also for repairers to keep slightly variable full size soundposts made elsewhere!