the workshop: fugue

Woodbridge Violins was established by its owner Russell Stowe in 1991. After training at the internationally renowned School of Musical Instruments Crafts in Newark-on-Trent, Russell worked for several years in the Midlands, before moving to the historic town of Woodbridge and establishing his own workshop there. Since then, the business has flourished and Russell and his team have built a significant reputation for high quality craftsmanship in making, repairing and restoring musical instruments.

Russell was joined in the early 2000’s by Jonathan Evans who had worked for over 18 years in London, and by Kathryn Joyson who is also a professional cellist and teacher. More recently, he was joined by Florence Ford who had previously trained as an apprentice in the workshop.

In early 2026, the workshop moved from its downstairs location on the high street, to a new workshop on the first floor. But on entering the new workshop you are still filled with the same overwhelming sense of passion and pride in the work that is undertaken there. You are surrounded by the mellow colours of countless violins, violas and cellos and a double bass sitting quietly in the corner. Your eye wonders over the tools of labour: chisels, callipers, fret saws, hammers, files and blocks. There are different instruments and bows in various stages of completion. Some are varnished; some are not. Some are dismantled for repair; others are in process of restoration. Together with the sounds of carving and planning, cutting and filing, and the sweet smells of wood and varnish, you are drawn in by the sense of quiet but focussed industry and of intense but measured craftsmanship.