After deciding I wanted to become involved in music again after moving to Richmond from Oklahoma, I knew that I was long overdue for a bow rehair and an instrument adjustment. The horsehair on my bow was looking like an overprocessed bleached blonde damage and the tonal quality of my violin was reduced to a gritty, difficult-to-tune lump of pretty spruce and maple. While this sound would probably be acceptable for some hipster experimental group jamming at The Canal Club it really didn't translate well for the Vitali Chaconne.
I spent as much time as I could reading online reviews of the various shops in the Richmond area, overwhelmed by the sudden availability of choice that I had never had in Oklahoma. I liked the idea of competing shops, knowing that the level of service I would receive at any of the stores I visited would be superior to any service I had received from other shops I'd visited before. The reviews I read for most of the shops were fairly similar. I will admit, however, that of all of the shop websites I visited, Jan's website was the most easy to navigate. The website design was accessible and straightforward with vibrant color photographs of the shop and instruments as well as providing detailed background for the staff's relevant experience. Additionally, the shop has a semi-active social media presence, making them very easy to interact with. Additionally, as someone with a set work schedule out in Innsbrook, I found their shop hours very convenient, especially the Saturday hours.
I called ahead to explain what I was needing done and check prices. Suzanne was incredibly friendly over the phone and gave a fantastic first impression. She was courteous and reassured me that I did not need to schedule an appointment and could come in whenever they were open.
I found the shop easy to find near the Westover Hills neighborhood in Richmond. I'm not familiar with the area as none of my friends are wealthy enough to live there but the directions Google Maps gave me were accurate. There was ample street parking in front of the store and I felt safe leaving my vehicle on the street. There was a sign clearly directing customers around the back of the building to the violin shop.
Suzanne greeted us immediately and remembered me from our phone conversation a few days beforehand. She took my violin and did an assessment on it which was thorough and efficient, noting the pegs needed some work and the soundpost definitely needed an adjustment. She indicated the pegwork would be a few more dollars than what she had originally quoted me over the phone which wasn't a surprise as I expected that the price could fluctuate depending on what work needed to be done after the assessment.
After she inspected my violin and wrote up the work order she talked with me about my music goals in Richmond. I explained I was hoping to get involved with a teacher to brush up on my technique and then audition for the Richmond Philharmonic. She encouraged me to pursue these goals and also took the time to tell me about some of her own experiences with playing. Additionally, my boyfriend came to the shop with me and although he does have a background in music, none of it is in string instruments. Suzanne did a wonderful job of engaging him in the conversation as well so that he didn't feel like an outsider and encouraged him to develop his own musical talents.
Suzanne also handed me a bow and let me play a few of the instruments they had in the shop. Although I wasn't shopping for an instrument I could tell that the violins they have in stock are quality and well worth the price.
Although my violin was ready for pickup a few days later, my own schedule prevented me from going to the shop until the following Saturday. I was impressed with the rapid turnaround time they had for my bow rehair and adjustment and the courtesy phone call to let me know it was ready. The staff allowed me to inspect the work done before asking for my payment and I could tell my violin's tone had been restored to what my late luthier had intended, God rest his soul.
Jan Hampton's shop has secured a customer for life with me (or at least as long as I'm in RVA). The staff is courteous and knowledgeable, the work was superb, the service was excellent, the location was convenient, the prices for services were reasonable, and the shop itself is, for lack of a better word, inspiring. The only thing I would have liked to have seen was more advanced etude books and music for sale - the selection is definitely geared toward beginners. Overall, I loved my experience here! read more
