Sean Bishop

Violin and Bow Dealer

After studying violin and viola in Australia and the U.K., I worked with London’s finest orchestras including English Chamber Orchestra, The Philharmonia, BBC Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic.

Throughout my musical life I have always had a passion for string instruments. I was fortunate to live next door to two violin shops and it was this daily contact that influenced me to study all aspects of violin makers and bows as well as pursuing some violin making of my own.

In 2002 I began full time work as a violin dealer , opening my first shop in London in 2004.

I have been a regular contributor of articles on instruments and bows to “The Strad” magazine, newspapers and books as well as featuring on numerous television shows as the violin expert including “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” and “Storage Hoarders”.

I have a special interest in the modern Italian school of violin making (Ornati, Poggi, Fagnola, Garimberti etc) as well as the instruments of J.B.Vuillaume, Gagliano family and Joseph Rocca to name but a few.

Bows are a large part of my business and my selection of new makers is perhaps the finest in the world and of course the great French masters feature in my dealing career.

With an extensive collection ranging from the world’s finest contemporary craftsmen to the old master Stradivari and Guadagnini, my clients have included students, amateurs and professionals of all levels: London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, and the Belcea, Danish, Jerusalem, Carducci, Kronos, Maggini, Sacconi, and Doric String Quartets.

In 2019 I was awarded the honour of “Associate of the Royal Academy of Music” (ARAM) for services to music.

Spoken language: English

Sean Bishop 1

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