“We do it the way it was done in the 1700s and 1800s,” said Barrie Kolstein, referring to the Kolstein & Sons’ tradition of craftsmanship.
Christina Daly
What started as a part-time job for Barbara Hakim 35 years ago has become much more. She loves watching some clients grow from junior high players into professional musicians.
Christina Daly
Jake Cradilas, a shop foreman who has worked at Kolstein’s for nearly 25 years, gave a newly repaired bass its final evaluation.
Christina Daly
The shop is full of hundreds of tools used to restore instruments. Rigoberto Dubon worked to repair a violin.
Christina Daly
Bottles, cans, brushes and more line the shelves around the stop.
Christina Daly
After truing the fingerboard Rigoberto Dubon added the strings back to the violin.
Christina Daly
The most common repair recently has been weather related. The lack of humidity causes cracks in the bodies of the instruments. After repairing the body on this violin it was carefully clamped together
Christina Daly
Using a technique called French Polishing, Kris Fleischmann brings the varnish on this bass back to life.
Christina Daly
Even the varnish is applied by hand. Everyone has their own secret recipe including Kolstein who has a room dedicated to the process.
Christina Daly
“I think what sets this place apart is the diversification,” said Jake Cradilas, a shop foreman who has worked at Kolstein’s for nearly 25 years. “We do manufacturing of accessories exclusive to the bass, and we have an extensive repair facility here, both of instruments and bows.”
Christina Daly
The tools of the trade at Jake Cradilas' work station.
Christina Daly
Using a chisel, Simone Diana defined the edges of a new Fendt model bass made of willow bark.
Christina Daly
Simone Diana hones the chisel he is using to carve the edges of a new bass.
Christina Daly
After the chiseling is done, the edges are sanded to a smooth finish.
Christina Daly
A Stainer Cello from the 1700s was the only one in the shop, with a uniquely carved lion’s head scroll.
Christina Daly
Andy Nerkowski works on the restoration of an older bass.
Christina Daly
Cleats and butts are being repaired during the restoration of this older bass by Andy Nerkowski.
Christina Daly
Rehairing bows is part of Kim Spagnola's apprenticeship at the shop.
Christina Daly
After the hairs are reattached to the bow they are tightened by swiftly moving them over a gentle flame.
Christina Daly
Hundreds of bows are repaired each year at Kolstein & Sons.
Christina Daly
Whereas some shops order pieces needed for repairs, Kolstein’s makes them in house. The shop also supplies instrument rentals for school districts across Long Island, including in Baldwin.
Christina Daly
At Barrie's workstation, the bass on the left is having an extension added to accomodate a 5th string.
Christina Daly
Jake Cradilas and Ricardo Hernandez make a final examination of the repairs before gluing the cello back together.
Christina Daly
With the repairs done, Ricardo Hernandez glued the edges and secured them with special clamps.
Christina Daly
After the seams were checked and it was given a tonal adjustment, the instrument was ready to go home.
Christina Daly