Strings & Things – Gatchell Violins

Under the “about us” section of the Gatchell website you will see a section labeled “Our Mission.”

There are a few paragraphs explaining a number of things the company is committed to providing – high quality instruments, impressive price points, et cetera – but their mission can be summed up, and is summed up, in just one line, “We want to know how we can help you at every turn.” Steve Crisafulli, general manager at Gatchell Violins, says their true mission is simply just to help. “Our mission to music educators, students, parents, and all other players is to provide quality instruments at affordable pricing to aid in the mastery of their instrument and foster a love of music,” he says.

Gatchell Violins, based in West Melbourne, Florida, exclusively sells bowed string instruments. We’re talking violins, violas, cellos, and upright bases, but they also sell all of the accouterment associated with those instruments – cases, strings, bows, rosins, shoulder rests, among other things. “We are the exclusive distributors of Ametto, H. Luger, Nicolas Parola, Stefan Petrov, Viktor Kereske, Plamen Edrev, Radiana Edreva, Nicolo Marcasi, Keith Kurtis & Clifton, Rudolph Fiedler, Danio Wu, Dennis Yi, Lelio Pan,  Marco Jian, CFX Braid bows, SUMI shoulder rests, Stradpet Titanium fittings, and DOUX strings,” Crisafulli explains. “We also produce our own line of GVC cases, bows, rosins, and carbon fiber bows. In addition, we are distributors of Pirastro products.”

H. Luger instruments for the student market and Nicolas Parola and Stefan Petrov for the step-up markets are some of their top sellers, but Gatchell is also committed to introducing new instruments into the market alongside their tried and true top brands. “Last year we introduced violins made by four talented master makers who formed the Guangzhou Consortium,” explains Crisafulli. “They offer top quality professional instruments, providing players affordable alternatives to more traditional instruments without compromise.”

Mr. Gatchell himself is heavily involved with the process of choosing each instrument that Gatchell provides. This is one of the things Crisafulli notes that differentiates the company from competitors. “Our owner is a violin maker with a keen eye for exceptional craftsmanship and quality materials,” he says. “Any product that we offer must pass his exacting and stringent standards. Each product is also test marketed in the two Central Florida locations of Atlantic Strings, a retail store owned by Mr. Gatchell. A broad network of players, teachers, and parents review the products. Only the very best are offered by Gatchell Violin Company.”

To assist Mr. Gatchell, Gatchell Violins employs a small team of managers, support staff, and four highly skilled luthiers. “We are also extremely proud of our customer relations,” says Crisafulli. “We focus on the needs of the customer and continually work to be a strong business partner for our dealers. The processes we have created enable us to provide instruments to our dealers that are truly ready to play. This allows our dealers more time to focus on their own customers, without the need to re-work the instrument set-ups before showing them to the customers. The success of our customer relations shows in the many unsolicited comments we receive from our dealers praising our instruments and our set-ups. We frequently hear how we have exceeded their expectations.”

Crisafulli, when asked about trends he’s noticed in MI, says more and more people are turning their eyes towards Asia. “People have rightfully become more accepting of instruments made in Asia, realizing that the skills and materials being used are second to none and that the instruments created in this environment offer unprecedented value,” he says. “World wood supply is dwindling and labor costs are on the rise. Innovation and forward thinking is our key to continue to offer our quality standards at each price point.” He also explained that he has seen a boom in cello and bass players. “At Gatchell Violins we offer an incredible range of cellos and basses at every level,” he says. “We expect to see an increased demand for these instruments.”

In a constantly changing MI landscape, Crisafulli explains that Gatchell sees the issues dealers are faced with and is working to aid them in any way that they can. “Dealers are currently facing a number of challenges, many of which are due to the very nature of stringed instruments,” says Crisafulli. “At Gatchell Violins, we are committed to addressing these in a cost effective and progressive manner. We want to keep, celebrate, and preserve the long-standing traditional ways of violin making while applying innovation to address the issues that take our dealers away from their customers. Throughout 2016 and beyond we will be bringing this innovation to all the markets that we address.”

On the top banner of the Gatchell website you will see the words “old world craftsmanship” and “outstanding value” – two things which Crisafulli credits Gatchell’s success to. “We are completely focused on the instrument of the bowed string family and all of our resources are put to work in their support,” he says. “We are very proud of the exceptional quality and value of the instruments we offer. This allows our customers to access top level instruments and receive a great value for their purchase price.” At the end of the day, it’s very simple. Gatchell Violins is a wholesale company serving the needs of players through music stores, violin shops, violin-makers, and other dealers. They want to help in any way that they can.