Ukes are a fun instrument for all!!

Ukes like the white one being played here by Kevin Neidig (Watch the video), have become insanely popular and I will have another big color assortment arriving in a few days. All of these ukes will be outfitted with hi-quality Aquilla strings to enhance the tone. Stop-in to grab the color that best suits your personality. Let the playing fun begin! (L to R: Camela Widad Kraemer, Kevin Neidig, Leslie Vonderlin)

Must See Video.

Sara Sant’Ambrogio breaks the land speed record of “The Flight of The Bumble Bee” on the cello. Check this out.

Jimmy McManus purchases his second Hershey Violin

Jimmy McManus, (Bethlehem, PA) recently came to our shop to purchase a hand-made Hershey Violin, making this his second Hershey violin. ” I love Hershey’s instruments, great sounding and good looks. I was going to purchase a third one at this same visit but, decided to pay off this one first, it was a tough choice, I loved them both.” Jimmy plays Celtic music in the “McManus Band” Bethelhem area.

Visit our players gallery today!

Sarah Swartz (Mechanicsburg, PA)

View the many musicians making their way to Hershey Violins for instrument care and purchase. Look for your picture to be presented here with a long list of professional and aspiring musicians. Stop back often to see our latest posts.

Who’s Your Favorite Violin Shop?

Central Pennsylvania, Mechanicsburg Violin Shop. We are a full service violin shop offering a wide variety of new and pre-owned violins, violas and cellos. Stop in to see our shop in action.

The Cumberland County Visitors Bureau is looking for your favorite shop in the Cumberland Valley. Please let them know by (clicking here) and casting your vote. Thank you.

Peter Sirotin

Peter Sirotin (Patomac, MD), Assoc. Concertmaster of the Hbg. Symphony and principle violin with the Mendelssohn Piano Trio was in for a new sound post and sound adjustments. Also, to try out my hand-made Hershey violins that he very much enjoyed. For lesson and booking information: peter@mendelssohnpianotrio.com

The Five-String Makes its Debut

Daniel Glessner’s Composition, Sonata a’ 5, was performed for the first time on the stage of Messiah College’s Poorman Recital Hall on Tuesday, May 4th.  The piece was composed especially for Scott Hershey’s newly completed 5-string violin, which also made its debut.  Violinist Gregory Glessner performed the piece with his brother Daniel accompanying him on the piano for Messiah College’s Musica Nova Concert, an annual event that showcases the college’s composers under the direction of Dr. Richard Roberson and Mr. Bruce Yurko.

Violin #124 is now complete

The varnishing process is done! This instrument is now available.

“This instrument is one of the most resonant of the ones I’ve played “in the white” There were tons of overtones, and the fiddle has a tremendous amount of natural resistance we look for in powerful instruments. I look forward to playing the finished instrument!”~ Harrisburg Symphony Concertmaster Odin Rathnam.

Grace McManus (Bethlehem,PA) buys her second Hershey Violin

Grace just couldn’t resist purchasing a second Hershey Violin. “I love Scott’s work, especially the tonal qualities of his instruments.  After trying quite a few, this one just had to be mine!” Grace said.  “I teach and play professionally, so I place heavy demands on my instruments.  Scott Hershey’s instruments support my playing.” (read more)

View a Hershey violin being played in concert

Odin Rathnam performs on his recently purchased custom-made Scott Hershey violin for a full house at The Strand Theatre, York, PA. (click here to view this performance). This instrument was debuted at the West Branch International Music Festival with Odin performing  “A Sweet Remembrance” (click here). Also, Odin Rathnam’s new CD release Vivaldi-”The Four Seasons” is available at CD Baby.

Netanel Draiblate

Netanel Draiblate (Hyattsville,MD) a professional violinist and teacher stopped in to have his instrument retouched and set-up. Netanel can be reached for lessons @ netanel_draillate@yahoo.com and you can follow his professional career @ netaneldraiblate.com.

“PlayerSpeak”

(and click here for our Players Gallery)

“Scott,  It was a pleasure to meet you. Just wanted to let you know my viola sounds better than it has EVER! Great job on the touch ups as well. Not sure what you did, but you definitely have won me as a customer.  Also, that new chin rest is a huge hit.” -Dr. Ken McDonald, York, Pa (5.12.12)

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“Scott I can’t tell you how impressed I am with my violin (Maria Cini) after you put your hands on it , first I must say it looks like a million bucks, now the yellow and brown qualities in the varnish started to show, and the sound has opened and aquired so much luminosity it reminds me of that violin you made. I’ll bring it back to you sometime in the next couple of weeks, it has a minor scratch on the top plate, thanks so much and my regards to Debbie”.

-Romulo Enrique Benavides, Professional Violinist, Julliard Graduate, New York City.

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When it came time for Elizabeth Appleby of Millerstown, PA to have her valued French made, J.B. Collin-Mezin violin restored she turned to Hershey Violins for this delicate work. “Every violinist I talked to said Hershey’s the best, a real craftsman, so that’s where I went. I bought this instrument from the Moenings Violin Shop in Philly many years ago and they did work on it over the years, Elizabeth said, I am very protective of my fiddle and in particular about the people I allow to work on it.  The phone call came in and the instrument was finished and ready to pick up. Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. The instrument looked beautiful of course but, when I played it WOW!…WOW! It has never ever sounded this good! Thank you sooooo much Mr. Hershey for your great work”. - Elizabeth Appleby.

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“Your violin has a wonderful full sounding overtone and rich sound that impressed me very much”  I also visited your web page and the photos + comments you made about “my” Strad were very interesting and new to me. Great! Best greetings from here! -Lars Bjørnkjaer, Concertmaster Royal Danish Orchestra

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“My violin is doing a lot better! I am so lucky you were there. The crack is barely visible and I think it even adds some character”. I just got home, so lets see how it adjusts to the New Jersey weather! Thank you for everything. -Katherine Tess, Cherry Hill, NJ

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Chamber Music in Grantham students visit Hershey Violins

Tetyanna Pyatovolenko, cello player and Elizabeth Yanushkevich, violin enjoy their recent trip to Hershey Violins.

Chamber Music in Grantham: Performance and Composition Intensive Chamber Music Program and Composition Workshop at Messiah College (learn more here)

Shop visit photos of chamber music students to Hershey Violins (click here)

Click here for our video shop tour.

It’s varnish making season makers.

Don’t miss out on this “How To” video, 90 minutes in length. Covers everything! Available here or: Stewart McDonald, Metropolitan Music, International Violins or Howard Core. Check it out and varnish like a pro. (Click here for more details).

Hershey Concert Uke’s Nearing Completion

Concert Ukes front to back: Cedar on Koa, Spruce on Koa, Koa on Koa. All ready for bindings, fingerboards and finishing.

Three professional concert ukes are making their way to the finish line. All fan bracing is in and tops are all tuned (something not done on production instruments), necks are all engraved and ebony pegs fitted. Next, the neck fitting to the body, fretting the ebony fingerboard, glue-up and wood bindings added. then off to the hand applied oil finish. These are going to be nice sounding and beautiful custom made concert ukes for the connoisseur. Stay tuned.

McAvinue Chooses a Hershey Violin

Champion fiddle player Patrick C. McAvinue (Baltimore, MD) recently visited our shop to try out some of my hand-made Hershey violins and after a considerable search chose one for his professional playing. Patrick plays with several bands and tours the country doing festivals and shows. Currently Patrick plays for Audie Blaylock  audieblaylock.com and smoothkentucky.com Learn more about Patrick at patmcavinue.com. Enjoy the video.

#103 is finished and ready for service.

Odin Rathnam got to hang with his favorite luthier for a few hours today- tried some nice new fiddles, sipped coffee and laughed alot ! Scott W. Hershey has 2 wonderful new fiddles available, one with a slab cut back, the other, a beautiful Strad copy with GORGEOUS wood and a very transparent varnish… He’s making some minor adjustments, but they should be ready for 2 lucky players within a week! Great work, Scottie!!!

The King’s Strings Playing The Big Apple!

The King's Strings posing in New York's Times Square. From left to right: Jesse (13), John, Mariana (11), HopeAnne (3), Cindy, Eden (5), Andrew (15), and Isaac (9

Lots of fun playing in the “Big Apple”. The members of the King family are frequent visitors to our shop and keeping the groups instruments up to snuff is a full time job. I have linked a video of Andrew playing his recently repaired violin here . Enjoy! More about “The King’s Strings” can be found @ http://www.thekingsstrings.com/

We’re now on Facebook! Visit us and become a friend. (Click Here)

Gregory Glessner & Arthur Fiddler entertain Earth Day guests at this years Mechanicsburg, PA festivities.

WITF Radio interviews Scott Hershey and Odin Rathnam

Cary Burkett interviews the maker and the maestro.  Hear this interview and concert online (listen now)

Scott & Toni Lucia discussing repairs

Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

A Customer’s Guide to Identifying the Unscrupulous (Read now)

Violin Making Apprenticeship Program. Apply now for acceptance.

Apprentice Ryan playing his first violin in the white.

Hershey Violins (Mechanicsburg, PA) We are now accepting applications for our newly-expanded apprenticeship program.  This is a three year program specializing in instrument making, varnishing, set-up, repairs, bow rehairing and more.  Applicants must possess proficient woodworking skills, an interest in the aesthetics of the violin family, and a willingness to commit to the demands of this rewarding program. Enrollment is limited.  Serious inquires concerning course information including tuition fees (email now)

Final Violin Making Class Night Photos (Click here for more photos)

Instructor: Scott Hershey, Sandra Schlessman, Harry Mayden, Jim Wilson, Thomas Loughry, Steve Murphy & Tone Judge: Gregg Glessner

Get into a Santa Cruz Guitar.

We are Central Pa's Authorized Santa Cruz Dealer.

Your Central PA Connection for Santa Cruz Guitars

For a limited time Hershey Violins (a Central Pennsylvania Santa Cruz Dealer), is offering selected “in-stock” instruments at very affordable prices. If you know anything about the Santa Cruz Guitar Company, you will know these are some of our countries most sought after hand-made guitars. Now you can own one of these fine instruments while supplies last. Call 717-697-6341 or email: shershey@hersheyviolins.com for pricing information on selected models.

The 5-String Experience

Follow the making of this instrument (click here)

This instrument is now completed and set-up December 19, 2009. Musicians interested in the purchase of this “Cannon” of a fiddle can call directly or email: shershey@hersheyviolins.com for pricing and availability. For final finished photos (click here)

Matteo Goffriller Cello 1720 copy available now.

Cheung Chau

Cellist Cheung Chau at Hershey Violins for major repairs to his instrument. Shown here enjoying my Goffriler copy before departing for a concert tour to Beijing, China. Cheung is also accepting cello students and can be reached at: Cheung Chau <cc@cheungchauconductor.org> or 717.422.3402

Central Pennsylvania Violin Maker, Scott W. Hershey makes a Goffriller cello.

Matteo Goffriller was an Italian maker living in Venice Italy (1659-1742). This cello was  built to the pattern of one of his most desired models of 1720. It is a slender model that delivers a full and projecting sound. I have chosen the top wood of “Bear Claw” spruce, a much sought after  wood that delivers a very nice blend of overtones when played. The back, sides and scroll are of finely flamed maple. All woods are well aged and stable. Email or call for pricing and availability.