Our experienced staff
Over the last 15 years I have been lucky to employ some of the best repairers , musicians and experts London can offer. Our new shop, next door to the British Museum, will allow us to offer that personal one on one service that has been synonymous with Bishop instruments & bows.
Sean Bishop, Director
Sean Bishop
Director
I have now been involved as an instrument dealer for over 25 years and this is my 4th (and final!) London shop! Having sold to over 2000 clients I still feel the excitement when I match a string player with a bow or instrument that they just love. As an ex Musician (viola & violin) I am able to relate to your needs and to help you play better. That’s what it all about.
Instruments and bows are my passion so it’s great to be able to do it as my job.
Martin Sonnenberg
In House Restorer
Martin Sonnenberg has now been the in house restorer and assistant to Sean Bishop for the past 6 years.
Martin trained at the Milan school of violin making under Luca Primon from 1990-1994 and also trained in bowmaking with Emilio Slaviero and Paul Sadka while living and working in Cremona, Italy for 24 years.
He has made over 50 violins, violas and cellos , including a violin for the Becket Collection of the Royal Academy of Music. Although busy with restoring instruments and bows from the collection of Bishop instruments, Martin is available for bow rehairs and instrument restoration work.
Please contact him: martin@bishopstrings.com or Mobile : 07476 221658
Jonathan Hill
Violinist
Jonathan began playing the violin aged 5 and performed J.S.Bach concertos in the Royal Festival Hall three years later. Aged 18 he began working professionally with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and by 21 had played with all the major London orchestras. At 28 he was signed to E.M.I classics as part of the Classical fusion group “The Planets” which went on to sell 500 000 albums worldwide. Jonathan has guest led many of the UK’s top orchestras and for the past 8 years can be heard as the principal violinist of the London Westend show “Les Miserable”. Like his good friend Sean, Jonathan is obsessed with violins and is working his way up the ladder to get that top Italian violin!
If you need a professional violinist to help your search in our shop, Jonathan is always happy to help.(by appointment)