As a family business, we believe in always doing our best and are happy to assist you in finding a quality violin that will serve your needs.
Founder, Bob Bragg, nationally known violin connoisseur, has in the past 60 years examined thousands of violins from all over the world and has shared his expertise of violins to many of his contemporaries. At a young age of 7, Bob was bitten by the “fiddle bug” when a uncle gave his sister a violin that had a Stradivarius label. Later, he found out it was fake when he took it to a Memphis violin dealer, William Jameson. During the early 1960’s, he was stationed at Fort Sheridan which afforded him the opportunity to visit Chicago’s violin shops thereby launching his education of violins. During one of his visits to William Lewis and Son’s violin shop, Bob met renowned American violin maker, Carl Becker.
In the early 1970’s, Bob opened Palm Harbor Music, a stringed instrument specialty store. Shortly after opening, he was joined by fretted instrument expert, John Miller. They closed the store in early 1980’s after deciding that it would be easier to follow violin and guitar leads if they were not tethered to the store. To this day, almost 40 years later, they maintain a close friendship and partnership.
Throughout the years, Bob has traveled the United States and Europe visiting violin shops, dealers, collectors and musicians. From several of these, he was fortunate to acquire their inventory, tools, and books. During this time, Bob has met and formed relationships with violin notables Kenneth Warren, Bud Warren, Jim Warren, Franz Kinberg, Harry Duffy, Tom Florence, Don Roth, Dario D’Attili, Bruce Babbitt and many others sharing knowledge and enthusiasm. He also collaborated with Roy Ehrhardt in the publishing of the three-book series “Violin Identification and Price Guide”.
Many highlights of Bob’s career include traveling to Europe with Roland and Dixie Huthmaker, of Huthmaker Violins in Suwanee, Georgia. While in Europe, they visited contemporary violin makers and dealers. They enjoyed delving into the violin history of the 17th and 18th century in Cremona and Paris where they viewed the masters’ violins and tools.
Although Bob has looked at thousands of violins, he still has not been cured of that “fiddle bug” bite, and he has not yet found one violin that is exactly like that first “Strad” – but is still looking!
Bob’s daughter, Kimberly Bragg Pulaski and son-in-law, John Pulaski, retired US Navy submariner, have been collecting violins throughout the years while stationed on both coasts and Hawaii. Bob has been sharing his knowledge with John over the last 35 years; and, under Bob’s guidance and keen eye, are in the process of taking over the family business. Kim and John are honored to continue Bob’s legacy and labor of love of violins.