Holmes Bass Viol offers a wide variety of new, used, and vintage basses, cellos, and violins.  We sell new parts and accessories for the violin family and have a good stock of used parts, as well. We guarantee the lowest prices on new sets of strings for the violin family. 

We have a full line of Shen instruments, Fishman full-circle pickups, and Kolstein products.

We have several other basses, cellos, and violins that we are restoring.

7/8 Shen Rogeri. New condition-gently used with beautiful grain. These basses usually retail for $9000 or more. We offer this one for $7900.

Holmes 7/8 fully carved flat back. $9700

This is the carved bass we are currently making. We always have a new bass in production. 

3/4 European that we are currently restoring. Ready in about 6 months and will sell for approximately $7000-$9000. I expect it to be really rich sounding.

Holmes plywood bass. Has the "best" of everything. Probably the strongest plywood bass being made today. Using Engelhardt body with Holmes enhancements. $1995

7/8 Flat back Tyrolean- 200 years old.  Most bass players describe this as a "killer bass". $9700. 

All of our restorations and basses over $5000 have a 1 yr warranty.

1933 Jaeger fully carved 3/4 bass.  Completely restored. Top notch condition. $7000 obo.

1887 strong and durable French Bass. In excellent condition with new set up. Label states: "J. Tournier from the family shop Fabrique generale Dinstruments De Musique." This bass has been played by 2 very accomplished Jazz players over the last 30 years.   Appraised at $15,000.  Asking $13,000 or best offer.  SOLD

7/8 German. Late 1800's. Completely restored with C-extension. Has a high saddle. Appraised in 1994 at $15,000. For the professional orchestra or jazz player. Asking $15,000.

New Shen violins and violas - all sizes.

Lower overhead - lower prices than anyone else

 7/8 Fully carved German completely restored from the 1800's. Great orchestral bass with a big warm sound. Easy to play with a new neck block. 43 1/2 inch scale reduced to a 41 inch scale.  $9700  

1958 Kay Bass. (We also have 1939,1944,1955,1957). Each one $2500 or less.

New Shen SB-80. Enhanced Set up. Your choice- Gamba or vioin corners. Less than $1500.

Swanson full size 4/4. Once restored- $2700.

100 yr old fully carved European. Interesting history- This bass was owned by Joe Allen, who recorded with numerous stars including Crystal Gayle and Johnny Cash. Asking $4700.

Italian bass (7/8). Made between 1920 and 1940.  Was played several years in the Pittsburgh Symphony. This bass is for the professional. $19,000 or best offer.

New Chinese bass. Well-Constructed. Nicely flamed wood. High quality french bridge with adjusters and C-extension have been installed to make this a good college student bass. $4500

Cremona-  We have some Cremonas and several other basses for under $1000. 

New Shen Cellos. All sizes. Competitively priced.

4/4    Completely restored 200 year old French Cello   $7900 

3/4 fully carved new Romanian with C-extension $4500

1971  3/4 German (maker-Weiss) plywood with a spruce top in very good condition. Very well made. Good Orchestral bass C-extension. $2700

I have personally used this bass as my summer orchestral bass because it has a great sound and is easy to play.