The Violin Doctor

January 29, 2023 8:47 AM

He’s trusted to repair some of the world’s most fabled — and expensive — instruments. How does John Becker manage to unlock the sound of a Stradivarius? (SLChicagoMag)
posted by DirtyOldTown (10 comments total)

What a great story. I have always admired people who can do this kind of work. The total focus and dedication mixed with great talent is lovely to read about.
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:09 AM on January 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Really good article. Thanks for posting it.
posted by blob at 9:57 AM on January 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

As an aside Mark Wood's company's electric violins help some people with neck problems caused by playing violin.
posted by jeffburdges at 11:03 AM on January 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

This is dying to be made into a documentary. I would love to see more of the shop, hear the instruments being played, see closeups of the repairs.

Also, I don't understand how he can have such a good ear for them if he doesn't play.
posted by HotToddy at 11:08 AM on January 29, 2023 [3 favorites]

I don't understand how he can have such a good ear for them if he doesn't play.

I'm friends with a violin maker and that part was the wildest of the whole article for me.
posted by bigendian at 1:59 PM on January 29, 2023

Interesting that one of his sons does play and tests the instruments out.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:13 PM on January 29, 2023

Also, I don't understand how he can have such a good ear for them if he doesn't play.

I suspect, in this instance, the term “play” is meant to mean “can perform a violin piece,” which he very well may not. I have to imagine, though, Becker knows how to draw a bow and hit notes, just in order to make sure his repairs are on target. I could be wrong, too.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:20 PM on January 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

I repair ,restore and sometimes design accordions, but I don't actually play them. I know how the should sound, and know how to make or repair nearly any part.
posted by boilermonster at 10:47 PM on January 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Instruments often sound very different under the ear than across a room - you're behind the sound source. Even if he did or does play a fiddle in the process of working on it, he would still need someone else to play it for him to optimize its sound.
posted by Dashy at 7:43 AM on January 30, 2023

Fantastic story, thanks for sharing. It was in this week's subscriber edition of the Sunday Long Read newsletter too.
posted by ellieBOA at 9:40 AM on January 30, 2023