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Services


Repair Services

We offer a wide range of repairs. We advise our customer's to bring their instruments and bows at least twice a year for review. Below is a list of maintenance work, which we do on a day-to-day basis and generally do not take longer than a week:

  • Gluing open edges and corners
  • Eliminate Buzzes
  • Dress fingerboards
  • Lubricate pegs
  • Replace/refit tailpiece and gut
  • Add/replace tailpiece tuners
  • Clean and polishing
  • Major retouching for varnish wear
  • Straighten bridge
  • Add/replace drumskins
  • New post
  • Refit post
  • Tonal adjustments
  • Bow rehairs (Bow rehairs require a minimum of two business days to be completed)

For the following repairs we will evaluate the item and give you an estimate of how long the repairs should take. These generally do not take longer than one month:

  • New fingerboard
  • New neck
  • New pegs
  • Restore edges and dents
  • New bridge
  • New frog
  • New tip

Please keep in mind that we must always evaluate an instrument/bow before giving an estimate of cost and time frame. When you bring your items to our shop, we will review each item carefully and go through a checklist determining what is okay, what should be repaired, and what repairs are essential for the item's upkeep.

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Sales

While the making and sale of our own Becker violins, violas, and cellos serves as the backbone of our firm, we also offer a wide variety of instruments ranging from those produced by some of today's finest living makers to the rare classical Italian examples of Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesu. Our equally comprehensive collection of bows includes the work of the most important French, English, and American makers. We continually strive to offer only the finest examples at fair prices which have been certified with the highest degree of expertise and integrity. Our unique cataloguing system allows us to acquire instruments from our vast international network and to make them readily available for a showing anywhere in the world. Our sales staff is comprised of accomplished performers and craftsmen, all equipped with a unique understanding of the subtleties of string playing. With such strong backgrounds in the field, we will gladly assist any performer or collector in finding the instrument or bow that is their match.

For sales inquiries, please contact Colin Maki at colin.maki@gmail.com

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Appraisals and Certificates
Appraisals
Verbal
VALUE OF ITEM
CHARGE
Up to $1,000.00 $45.00
From $1,000.00 - $5,000.00 $50.00
$5,000.00 - $35,000.00 $75.00
$35,000.00 - $250,000.00 $125.00
Over $250,000.00 $200.00
Written (Insurance)
Up to $5,000.00 $85.00
$5,000.00 - $50,000.00 $125.00
$50,000.00 - $250,000.00 $175.00
Over $250,000.00 $250.00

These values and fees are per instrument and per bow, not the total value of all items.    Additional instruments or bows will be added to the same letter at the verbal rate.

What is an appraisal?
Appraisals are statements about an instrument or bow's insurance replacement value. Appraisal values are not market values, and cannot be used for resale purposes.

What is the difference between a verbal and a written appraisal?
Verbal Appraisals: Verbal estimate of an instrument's/ bow's replacement value. There is no written document provided.
Written Appraisals: Written document stating an instrument's/bow's condition and insurance replacement value. Full descriptions of instruments/bows are not included.

How much do updated appraisals cost?
Updated appraisals are available for instruments/bows that have previously received written appraisals from Carl Becker and Son, Ltd. in Chicago. The first item is updated for a fee of $50.00, and each subsequent instrument will be updated for a fee of $25.00, and each bow a fee of $20.00.

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Certificates

For three generations, the Becker family name has been synonymous with integrity in regard to research and expertise. With access to extensive archival information and an enormous data base of instruments, we are happy to accept an instrument or bow for its certification or appraisal. While research of this kind can often take great study and effort, we ask that you be willing to leave your instrument or bow with us for a minimum of 48 hours.

Certificates are 5% of the current appraisal value. There is a $100.00 minimum fee for certificates without photographs, and a $600.00 minimum fee for certificates with photographs. All of our certificates are printed on high-quality cardstock paper. If you would like photographs attached to your certificate, we utilize the services of an expert photographer and high-quality photo paper.

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Consignments

In an effort to continually offer a well-rounded stock of instruments and bows, we actively pursue consignments from private owners at competitive rates. We guarantee that each consignment agreement will be represented with the utmost integrity in regard to both the owner and the reputation of the instrument. If you wish to pursue a consignment with us, please feel free to arrange an appointment for an evaluation of your instrument or bow.

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Accessories

Common instrument and bow accessories include:

  • Strings
  • Rosin
  • Chinrests
  • Mutes
  • Tuners
  • Shoulder Rests
  • Cases

We have many different types and brands of accessories in stock. We would also be more than happy to place special orders. If you would like to place an accessory order,you may visit our Chicago location or send us an email.

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Carl Becker and Son, Ltd. 30 East Adams Street, Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60603
(p) 312-220-9700 (f) 312-251-5896 info@carlbeckerandson.com