By Jennifer Showalter

David Brownell, owner of David Brownell Violin Repair, has been passionate about music since he was a child. Throughout his life, music continues to be a pillar for him to lean on for both strength and comfort.

While in high school, David played the French horn and string bass. One day, his string bass broke and he realized that a piece, the bridge blank, needed to be replaced. He visited several shops without success. The shops dealt exclusively with violins or guitars. With no other options, he purchased the tools and materials and fixed it himself. This would be the first step on his path toward a life of instrument repair.

After completing high school, he attended Michigan State University where he began pursuing a music degree. During this time, he was also involved in the Air Force ROTC. Everything was on course for a successful life until the Vietnam War began. David had been released from the ROTC program because of a severe bee allergy. However, in the summer of 1968 his allergy did not stop the Army from drafting him. Precautions were made to ensure that the allergy could be dealt with if needed.

During the war, David shared his gift of music with others. He would play his string bass for the troops or spend his free time repairing instruments. Once, there was an event planned for the troops at the service club and two of the basses broke. “There weren’t music shops around so I made my own tools,” said David, “I even made my own glue. We baked some gelatin at the club and used that to hold the pieces together. I fixed the instruments and the night went perfectly.”

Unfortunately, while in the Army, David suffered a severe ear infection. “It caused just enough damage that I couldn’t hear the music right anymore. But I still loved it,” explains David. When he returned from Vietnam in 1970 he decided to pursue a liberal arts degree with a specialty in music interest. Though he started working in repair in 1963 he decided to become more dedicated to the trade since harmonies were now hard for him to hear. “I began seriously studying repair techniques when I got home,” remembers David. He attended classes specially designed for the trade and worked as an apprentice for different masters of the craft.

Before starting his own business, he worked for Shar Music, a major music company.. “I wore several hats there,” explains David, “I was always so busy that I did not get a lot of time to do the things I loved. I left to focus on repair.” He started his own shop in Ann Arbor in 1975. He runs the shop with a little help from his wife Carol. David continues to attend seminars and further his education in the business.

Now concentrating all his efforts on repair, he finds pleasure in being able to help others continue to play music. “The real feeling of satisfaction is when the customer picks up their instrument and look at the wrong corner,” says David about his repairs.

Most of his business comes from “word of mouth” advertising and repeat customers. Once a person gets their instrument fixed by David, they tend to be lifelong customers. He does not limit himself to one type of string instrument. He has repaired virtually everything, including a rare Russian Balalaika. Some repair projects take years and others have strict time constraints. David explains that pricing is variable because, “It is hard to determine the amount of damage caused until you begin the repair.”

David has contributed to a book on string bass repair and is finishing two more. He is also the editor for the Michigan Violin Association newsletter. David is well known in the industry and his opinion is valued by his fellow tradesmen.

If you have found this story interesting, informative, or inspiring, please let David know!

David Brownell Violin Repair
David Brownell
2187 Yorktown
Ann Arbor, MI.
Phone: 734-665-4255