Meet The Team at MoselEy Violins
IN MEmory of François Bignon
/1957 to 18/08/2025)
Native from Laval, in the Pays de La Loire region of France, François worked for over 40 years in Birmingham in violin restoration and repair work, and bow rehairing.
Initially, at Highfield Violins, then having his own workshop at Stratford House, Digbeth before moving to the Custard Factory, once again, be working with David Bruce Johnson. Together they moved to Moseley Violins in 2008
Over the years, he built an immense knowledge of the history of violin making, but his own violin- making was particularly influenced by the charm and detail of lesser-known makers from 1850-1900. He made at least 29 violins, and we plan to create a catalogue of his work. If you own a violin made by François please do contact us.
François loved sharing his knowledge with musicians and using his finely-honed skills to ensure their instrument or bow played to its best. His natural friendliness helped put people at ease and made them feel welcome.
François enjoyed playing the double bass in a range of musical genres.
His skills, knowledge, humour and delight in all things musical will be much missed by all at Moseley Violins and the many customers who knew him.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR GOAL!
Everyone at Moseley Violins works hard to achieve this.
We want all our customers to have the best playing experience they can afford. So we make sure every instrument is set up well and to its best.
Our advice, (based on 40 years experience) is free.
GREEN INSTRUMENTS!
We are also committed to the environment and where possible we reuse parts of violins that are no longer usable as a whole. For example, we offer packaging materials we can’t use ourselves to others for re-use. Anything we no longer need which is potentially usable is offered via Freecycle or the free section of Gumtree.
We have also donated unrepairable violins to a local artist who make amazing creations. See our Facebook site for details.
Our waste collector (a zero-to-landfill recycling company), advises that of the waste we put out for them, 80% is recycled (Dec 2022).
The two Directors do not own any vehicles and mostly walk or use the bus to collect and deliver things locally. Occasionally, when there is no public transport option, we use Co-Wheels, the national car club.
Mike O’Neill
Native to Birmingham, Mike has an endless resource of knowledge and skills in music technology and computer engineering. He works along in the shop reception, sales, admin and giving technical advice. Mike is a seasoned band musician, playing electric bass, guitar and mandolin, and has taken to making the occasional electric mandolin and guitar. He also enjoys playing the violin.
David Bruce Johnson
Left his native Canada in 1978 with a background in craft, music and arts to further his instrument making career. He studied for three years study in Musical Instrument Technology in London in both fretted and bowed stringed instruments. David gained 5 years employment in the violin trade in Beaconsfield and Birmingham before setting up workshop of his own in 1986. After 5 years research and development, the success story of world-renowned Violectra electric violins, violas and cellos began in 1992 and designer and maker David has sold over 200 custom-made Violectras worldwide. After a diverse musical background in piano, brass and wind instruments, David plays various stringed instruments , including violin, cello, dulcimer, sitar, kora, banjo, mandolin, & guitar.
CHRIS SNOW
Hailing from South Staffordshire, Chris progressed on from a career in telecommunications and IT management after the Covid pandemic to re-train as a luthier at Newark’s Schools of Instrument making, studying both guitar and violin. Chris particularly enjoys the repair and restoration of bowed and fretted instruments. He plays the guitar.
LOUIS PETERSON
Louis is a graduate of the Newark School of Violinmaking. He was attracted to violin making because he wanted to be able to create beautiful objects using refined craft skills. At the end of each day he is delighted to have used his skills and approach to ensure an instrument looks and sounds to its best. He enjoys singing in his local church choir.
Connect with us
Opening Hours
Contact Us
Moseley Violins
2a Tudor Road
Moseley
Birmingham UK
B13 8HA
Tel: 0121 693 1214
info@moseleyviolins.co.uk
© 2020 Unison Strings Ltd (trading as Moseley Violins & Violectra) | Registered address 2a Tudor Rd, Moseley, Birmingham UK, B13 8HA | Company 4710290 | VAT no.812583535
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