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THE BECKER STORY
Becker Stringed Instruments' mission is twofold: To provide students, educators
and school music dealers with high quality bowed instruments that meet the
needs of beginning through advanced students, and to support all Becker
products with unparalleled service to our customers.
Every Becker instrument is rooted in tradition using time-tested methods
and craftsmanship. All Becker instruments are crafted in Europe from mature
European spruce and maple trees harvested from high elevation northern Carpathian
forests. The tonewood is hand-selected, properly cut, stored and allowed
to air dry and cure for a minimum of ten years. Such slow seasoning ensures
that parts will maintain their shape for years to come.
At Becker's Romanian workshop, the neck, pegbox and scroll are cut from
a solid block of maple. Skilled craftsmen perform final hand carving and
graduating of the tonewood. All purfling is painstakingly inlaid by hand.
Corner blocks, neck and endpin blocks, full inside linings, bass bars and
soundposts are carefully fitted. Well-seasoned ebony parts, standard on
all Becker instruments, are installed. Varnishing, buffing and polishing
are done by hand to ensure a rich luster. After final assembly, each Becker
must pass inspection by a master craftsman before leaving the workshop.
Following the instrument's ocean journey, it is received at Kaman's Bowed
Instrument Center in New Hartford, CT. At that time each Becker is re-inspected
and carefully adjusted to meet all specifications set forth by MENC:
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Ebony pegs are properly tapered to fit peg holes and dressed with
peg compound.
• Ebony nut is adjusted to proper contour and height and string
grooves are lubricated.
• Ebony fingerboard is checked for proper curvature and maximum
string vibration.
• Ebony endpin is checked for exact center placement and tight
fit.
• German maple bridge is adjusted for correct height, curvature
and string spacing and carefully fitted. String grooves are lubricated.
• Spruce soundpost is accurately cut and precisely positioned
for optimum tone and response.
• Ebony tailpiece is fitted with nylon tailpiece loop and string
adjusters.
• Strings are properly installed for ease of tuning. |
Becker's quality shop adjustment ensures that every instrument, regardless
of price, is meticulously adjusted for ease of play and maximum response.
Becker Stringed Instruments - Old World Craftsmanship for Today's Young
Musician. |
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