Please find below a list of frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer to your query, please contact Beare’s directly
ABOUT J & A BEARE
Is W. E. Hill & Sons part of J & A Beare?
Beare’s acquired the W. E. Hill & Sons’ archive in 2017. To contact W. E. Hill & Sons directly, please visit their website – https://www.wehillandsons.com/
Does Charles Beare still work for J & A Beare?
Charles Beare sold his shares back to the company and retired from his role as director in 2012.
What are your opening hours?
We are open from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. We close on all UK public holidays and over the Christmas period.
What is the closest tube station?
Oxford Circus, served by the Victoria, Central, and Bakerloo lines. (7 – 10 minutes’ walk)
Bond Street, served by the Jubilee and Central lines. (5 – 8 minutes’ walk)
BUYING
Do I need to book an appointment to try instruments or bows?
Yes. Please contact our Director of International Sales, Maja Wegrzynowska to book an appointment.
SELLING
I have an instrument or bow I’d like to sell, what should I do?
Please email us photographs of the instrument or bow with as much information as possible. For guidelines and more information on submitting your instrument or bow for assessment, please visit our Valuations & Appraisals page.
VALUATIONS & APPRAISALS
Do you provide valuations for insurance purposes?
Yes: we will need to inspect the instrument or bow and, for a small fee, we will send a written valuation to your insurer. If you have purchased an instrument or bow from J & A Beare the fee will be waived.
How long should I leave my instrument with you for a valuation or appraisal?
One of our directors will need to examine the instrument so ideally the instrument or bow would need to be left with us for a few days at least. When possible, we will then provide you with a verbal appraisal/valuation. Please contact our Front of House team and they will try and accommodate your timetable.
I have an enquiry about the history of my instrument or bow, can you help?
If the instrument or bow was purchased from Beare’s, please send us an email with photographs and as much information as possible and we will do our very best to help you with your enquiry.
If the instrument or bow has a W. E. Hill record number, please contact W. E. Hill & Sons directly.
REPAIRS & RESTORATION
Can I bring my instrument / bow to your workshop?
If you have purchased an instrument or bow through Beare’s you are welcome to bring it to our workshop and we recommend that you have checked it at least once a year.
We do ask that you call ahead to book an appointment, as our workshop can get very busy. If you have not purchased an instrument or bow through us, please contact our Front of House team first.
Do I need to book for a bow rehair?
Yes. Our bow workshop gets very busy so we advise calling in advance.
How much is a rehair?
A standard rehair is £90 (inc. VAT) and will be ready for collection within a few days.
How much are express rehairs?
Subject to availability, express rehairs are £100 (inc. VAT). The bow will need to be dropped off in the morning after 9am, and collected between 4:30-5:00pm on the same day.
BEARE’S INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN SOCIETY
I am a musician and would like to borrow and instrument or bow?
Please complete the form on the Beare’s International Violin Society page, adding details of your biography, videos of you playing, current instrument, date and period you need the instrument / bow for and any other information about yourself.
If you are a suitable candidate for the Society but we do not have an appropriate instrument or bow available at the time, we will add your details to our database and get in touch as soon as something does become available.
I would like to become a patron of the Society. What should I do?
Whether you already own an instrument /bow or would like to purchase one with a view to lending it to a musician, please contact our Vice President of the Beare’s International Violin Society, Maja Wegrzynowska.