About Me
My name is Brad Holst - I like music. I like string instruments. And I like being around musicians, especially those who play string instruments. I also enjoy the challenge of getting the most out of every instrument that comes across my bench. I am a luthier and the owner and operator of Holst Violins, a home-based violin shop in Grants Pass, OR..
My goal is to help string players on their musical journeys by either improving their current instruments or by providing a selection of instruments to enhance their musicianship. For the curious or those with too much time on their hands you can find out more about my journey into the field of luthiery below.
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In 1984 or 85, I heard the fiddle tune, Ashokan Farewell, and the haunting, bittersweet melody made an impact; I began thinking about learning to play the violin. I already played guitar but now I wanted a “melody” instrument. Finally, in 1990, I bought a violin for a couple hundred dollars and took a couple of lessons. Although I didn’t stick with the lessons (a mistake), I kept at it, picking up new fiddle tunes faster than technique.
In the early 90’s I began looking for a better violin; I discovered Ebay and bought my first “auction” violin, followed shortly by the next….and the next…. Of course they all needed work, so I began picking up the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to fix them, soliciting advice from local shops whenever possible. It didn’t take long to get sucked into the world of these magical boxes with their romantic histories, their secrets, and, above all, their bewitching voices which spoke to me on a level words can’t describe.
For the next 20 years I moonlighted as a luthier while teaching middle and high school science. My weakness for acquiring violins resulted in a never-ending stream of cardboard boxes ending up on my doorstep and I started selling the ones I had restored on consignment at Cripple Creek and Bellwood in Ashland, or online. Specialized tools also had a way of finding my porch.
In 2013 I retired from my middle school science teaching job and turned my hobby into a profession. I began working at the Bellwood Violin Shop in Ashland doing repairs and instrument set ups, a position I would hold for 5 years. I also attended violin making and repair workshops with Sacramento maker, Steve Lohmann, and benefitted from private tutoring in various other shops.
I intensified my efforts to build up my own inventory of instruments and began developing violin teacher contacts throughout Oregon and northern California. To help provide instruments for these teachers and their students I became a travelling violin dealer, loading up my car with instruments and driving from one instrument trial to the next – mostly in Eugene, Corvallis, Salem, and Portland (Eureka and Redding on occasion). At each trial the student and teacher were able to usually try out around 5-15 (OK, sometimes 20) violins in their price range.
Now located in the north end of Grants Pass with a home-based shop, I am doing less road trips and selling and repairing more instruments locally. I am especially fortunate to be able to provide services for the fantastic Grants Pass middle and high school orchestras. So, here I am…hoping that this website will help spread the word about my services and hoping to meet more musicians interested in those services.