McHugh Violins, Inc.  2726 Boulevard Plaza  Wichita, Kansas 67211      

   look@mcfiddles.com

About the company

A NOTE TO ALL, it has now been many months since the sad closure of my shop in December 2007. Rumors of my demise were temporarily accurate, but because of the astounding financial and emotional support of customers and friends, the shop has long since reopened as "McHugh Violins, Incorporated." Our tax obligation repayment is being met monthly, and the "new" business will grow slowly and carefully over the coming years.

Our new shopping cart has been a tremendous success - the first serious approach to nationally competitive string and accessory pricing here in Kansas! PLEASE take a look and consider purchasing from us - only volume will make this work due to the razor-thin margins! Many of you have taken part in our extraordinary "Check's in the mail!" program where a simple email request for strings and accessories is responded to promptly. The order is sent immediately along with an invoice that requests a check for payment within two weeks! Of course you need to be on file with us to expedite this system........just email for information!

We're a full service violin shop in the heartland of the United States of America, and handle all types of repair from minor adjustments to full restorations. We sell high quality instruments, bows and accessories at sensibly discounted prices - and service it all right here in our own workshop.

We're sometimes asked about the origin of our pseudonym, "McFiddles." To fully understand, it's important to know the English usage of the word "fiddle." In the United States, the word "violin" is somehow  the respectable orchestral term and "fiddle" is crudely synonymous with the country music or bluegrass fraternities. In my native England, even the most esteemed purveyors of orchestral stringed instruments refer to the violin as a "fiddle", a name which has deep historical roots - older than Stradivari! Hence for me, the amusing term of McFiddles is simply a contraction of "McHugh Fiddles." For a while, we've used the name on a series of student models, and it's been very well received. Customers appreciate our slightly self-deprecating and enjoyable attitude, but know that beneath it all lies a wealth of knowledge and pursuit of excellence in all that we do! 

(The photo above shows one of our practice rooms, in which players may audition violins and bows for potential purchase.)

As we look around, we realize that you have many possible sources for stringed instruments and bows. You might be considering an instrument from one of the giant mail order outfits; you'll get the rock bottom price, but generally mediocre set-up. You might think your local full service music store is the place to buy, but all that we see are stagnant commercial instruments with simplistic set ups - yet the prices can be outrageous. Frankly, the times are changing, and the days of charging high prices for poorly adjusted commercial grade musical instruments are about over.

What exactly is the "set-up"? - It's the way the pegs are adjusted; the height of the nut; the gentle, concave sweep of the fingerboard; the carefully cut bridge of the right height and curve; an appropriate tailpiece with smoothly operating tuner(s) as needed; a.........well, now you get the idea! Of course there's more to all this than pulling an instrument out of a box! We think that the solution must be between these two extremes. We prepare each instrument carefully as described in the "set-up" above, and proudly put a two year limited warranty on each. All this, and we still discount competitively, too!

 As a player, it's important to have a strong relationship with a violin shop that you can trust for all your needs. In a perfect world, it would be right in your own neighborhood, but if that's not possible, give us a try. We think you'll be surprised and delighted!

Simon H. McHugh