Program Overview

Program Overview

The Violin Setup Foundations, Level II program is a weeklong course that builds on the skills learned in Setup Foundations, Level I. This program focuses on maintenance and repairs, including an open forum discussion covering common repair needs for private and rental instruments.

Program Details

The program covers various topics, including:

• String selections for any level
• Maximizing the use and sound of inexpensive instruments
• Alternative woods and materials available to Luthiers
• Finding suppliers suitable for specific needs

Skills Learned

Students will acquire the following skills:

• Bridge Fitting
• Dressing a fingerboard
• Glue open seams
• Basic maintenance and repairs
• Basic tool and bench skills

Program Schedule

The program will take place from Monday, May 4, 2026, to Friday, May 8, 2026, with the following schedule:

• Dates: Monday, May 4, 2026, to Friday, May 8, 2026
• Times: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Location: Live Online (USA Eastern Time)

Program Fees and Credits

• Tuition: $999.00 (Workshop Fee)
• Contact Hours: 27.5
• Potential Discounts: 10% Alumni Discount, Military Discount, 10% KSC Alumni Discount
• CEU(s): 2.75
• Course Code: PDT-Violin-08

Tools and Materials

The following tools and materials are required for the course:

Materials:

• 1 or 2 4/4 size violins
• 3-4 Bridge blanks
• Strings
• Sound Post setter, gauge, retriever, etc.
• Peg bushings
• Glue pot, electric hot plate, and small "sauce" pan w/ lid for heating hide glue flakes

Tools:

• Violin knives
• Block plane
• Chisel
• Reamer
• Small, fine tooth saw
• Sound Post setter
• Sound Post retriever
• Sound Post inspection mirror
• Bend-a-light
• Mousetail file
• Flat medium coarse file
• Nut files
• Sandpaper
• Small compass dividers
• Digital calipers
• Flexible 30 cm ruler
• Rigid 12" ruler
• Grease pencil
• Soft 9 B pencil
• Alcohol lamp
• 1mm or 1/16" drill bit
• Power hand drill
• Chinrest key
• Bridge template
• Scraper set
• Parchments
• Carpenter's Wood glue
• Hide glue
• Pallet knife
• Water-color brush
• Chop stick
• Bridge lifter
• Magnifying glasses
• Peg compound
• Pencil
• Paper towels, soft cotton rags

Optional Tools and Materials

• Sharpening stones
• Diamond stones
• Violin polish
• 0000 Steel Wool
• Spray Shellac

Suppliers

• Metropolitan Music
• Woodcraft Tool Supply
• Lie Nielson Toolworks
• Lee Valley Tools
• International Violin
• Connolly Music
• Stewart McDonald
• Violintools.com
• Hardware stores
• Howard Core

Instructors

• Charlie Wolf