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Testimonials

Dear Rich, 
You get a gold star for finding Catherine the wonderful John Juzek viola! With that and a new bow she was able to win first chair in the NJ Junior High Regional Orchestra. To say the least she was very excited. Your personal attention to every customer is greatly appreciated as well as the care you give to making sure every little detail of the instrument set-up is perfect. You have our highest recommendation.
 Thanks again...Cordially, Carolyn Park 

Dear Mr. Gagliardi,  
Once again I wish to make known my appreciation and respect for you and your taking time to care for my violin.
 Good Luck and Health...Max Vont 

Dear Mr. Gagliardi, 
Every time I look down at my new cello bridge I remember that I haven't yet told you how happy I am with the Kennedy now. Besides looking beautiful, it sounds better than it did when I bought it! All I can think to say to you is: WOW!!!!! Thanks a lot! 
 Sincerely, Louise D. Dublin 

Dear Mr. Gagliardi, 
I am just delighted with the major restoration work you just completed on my Koldiz violin. Replacing the bass bar in order to put it in the correct position with respect to the bridge has improved its sound 100%! It no longer has that "muffled" sound on the lower strings and it resonates and projects beautifully. I was nervous about having the top removed (especially on a violin made in 1739) but I shouldn't have worried. If I hadn't driven up myself to see the instrument opened up, I would never have known it had undergone such "major surgery". Shaving some of the wood off the neck has made it easier to shift, and I also appreciate your expert repairs to the two small cracks, as well as the general touching up of the raw wood around the edges. A beautiful refinishing job! Thanks again. My violin is now a pleasure to play! 
Sincerely, Marilyn Brus. 

Dear Rich, 
Many thanks for your talented and insightful assistance with my viola. It sure is great to know that there is an honest and good instrument dealer and repairman in this part of the world. 
 All the best, Karen Olson 

Rich, 
Once again, many thanks for the beautiful work. Although I know little of how a violin should sound, I do have an eye and an ear for quality, and you clearly put that into your work. I have your card, and anyone I run into who is looking for a violin - or repairs - will get sent your way. 
 Best wishes. Sincerely, Dustin Nichols 

Dear Rich 
Thanks so much for fixing my fiddle. I really appreciate it.
Love, Anne 

Dear Mr. Gagliardi, 
I am so grateful to you for restoring the old violin. I am practicing. I can even play "How Great Thou Art". I can't tell you how much enjoyment I am receiving from getting back to music. Be assured of my prayer for you. You have helped to make a dream come true. ...I will write from time to time to let you know how I'm doing. 
God Bless, Peace, Sr. Piccuirro

Dear Rich, 
Just a quick note to thank you again for doing such a beautiful repair on my violin, and especially for doing it so quickly! It means a lot to me to have it with me on tour, and I really appreciate your efforts. 
 Sincerely, Kathie Hannauer 

Dear Rich, 
Wanted to write much sooner to tell you that within days of the sound-post movement you did, the cello's lower strings really blossomed! Thank you! All the work you did on it was great! The varnish touch up stopped me from being so embarrassed. 
 Thanks again Karen Pinoci 

Dear Richard, 
I am enjoying my "new refinished" SGARBI violin and feel as if it is a "new" instrument since your "Expert refinishing project". I am afraid of marring its beauty by playing it, but I'm trying to be extra careful to maintain it...
Sincerely Arlene and Tom Locole 

Rich, 
Please forgive the delay and accept my thanks for your beautiful work. The violin looks and sounds great!
Thanks again, Kathie. 

Dear Rich, Please forgive me for taking such a long time to express my absolute delight in the way my Grancino sounds since you worked on it last year. No one who hears me play fails to notice how open and warm it sounds. It sounds just beautiful and I am extremely grateful to you for all your help. Several people had warned me that a new bass bar might or might not help the fiddle's projection and responsiveness... I am so relieved and happy that it did. Needless to say, I've been recommending you to all my friends. Hope you are not swamped! 
Fondly, Mary Kay Robinson 

Dear Richard, 
Thank you so much for the violin and case. I'm sure Molly will enjoy playing it! 
Happy Holidays, Eric Murphy 

Hi Richard,

Sorry for the delay in returning this to you. Maggie is loving her viola; it sounds great!

Thanks again, Betsy Dunne

Dear Richard-

Thank you for making my violin look stunning!!! It has such a beautiful sheen and it sounds beautiful and easy to play.

Many Many Thanks-

Roberta

Thanks again Richard. I have not use the Wunderlich cello bow for years and now it looks great and has a very deep dark sound on the cello which pleasantly surprised me. I can actually confidently perform with this bow and it is a nicer contrast to the brighter Dolling bow.

Steve Copeland

Hi Rich,

Thank you so much for the great job you have done. The bow plays beautifully! What a difference! Thank you again.

Best, Piotr

Dear Richard,

Thank you for remembering to send the five photos which I received in good order. It was sweet of you to send them so beautifully labeled and so clearly defined. It goes without saying, but I must “say it!” Your work is superlative. Your taste and judgement in doing the repairs and restoration on my cello was so perfect and “right-on-the-mark!” The cosmetic work and “color” treatment on the chest scar was excellent and the internal work and crack work was superb! You remind me of the work of Bacconi and Nigogosian in your perfection of technique and execution. Please know how much you are appreciated by me, Franco, and I am certain all of the colleagues that have the good fortune to know you and experience your good nature and ability. It was my pleasure to have “found” you (via Franco..) and to see first hand how wonderfully you function and perform.

Warmest best wishes in your work, and endless thanks from me for all your fine services.

Most sincerely,

Avron Coleman

Rich,

Thank you so much for your help, kindness and patience while helping me to replace my violin. You made a tough time much easier. I will call you as soon as I receive it! Hi to the family. 

Lin

Thank you so much Richard-

Both violins sound so much better!
Jean P

Thanks for the e-mail. The feedback on the Amati was great. The sound really impressed everyone who played it. I think it was really what drove and made the sale. It helped people see past the smaller size. Thanks for the hardwork!

Katie Banser - Christie's Musical Instrument Department

The Cello sounds great. Much better than before. I am really pleased, thank you so much for your excellent work.

Yair 

I gave your name to Elizabeth Pitcairn owner of the Mendelssohn Stradivarius.  She played the 1707 Hammer Stradivarius and loved your set up and would like to meet you.  I said you sometimes schedule to meet clients in NY.  She is in LA but comes to NY often.  Call me if you want to speak.

Kerry Keane

SVP, Department Head

Christie's Musical Instruments

Richard,

Thank you so much for repairing and appraising my violin.  Your work is obviously very professional and I appreciate your help.  This violin means more to me than my current ability to play it.  God willing that will improve in time.

Sincerely,

Ellen Crawford

Dear Mr. Gagliardi,

Thank you very much for making everything possible.  I really enjoy playing this instrument and it is sounding better and better every day.  I am very grateful for all of your care.  Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Yuan-Yuan

Discovering Richard Gagliardi of Maywood, New Jersey was a joy and delight for me as a professional string player. He was indeed that for my instruments and bows as well.

His knowledge, technique, razor sharp eye, and his immaculate fine taste and judgement were, without exaggeration, a highlight and discovery for me, as well as my instruments and bows.

With our involvement in producing “sound” we often forget what Maestro G. has revealed with his work. His ability to repair and restore as well as construct the instruments and bows of the string family of instruments is what I have come to call, in all candor, “The Gagliardi Touch” applied to glorify our treasures.

Avron Coleman, New York Philharmonic, Ret.

For many years of my professional life, I have been very fortunate to bring my 300 year old violin to Richard for his expert maintenance and restoration.
His workmanship is impeccable, including his own bridge construction.
Under Richard’s care, the violin has been so dependable during my efforts to produce the required sound with bold projection in any concert venue, be it inside large halls or outside in parks. Richard Gagliardi is truly the most masterful “Luthier” I could ever find, and I am forever grateful!
Sincerely,

Barbara Long (Bloom)

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