Hong Kong · Est. 1989
A collection built on patience, and the pursuit of the perfect voice.
Our Story
Bridging Master Craftsmanship and Professional Performance
Gavin Strings operates as a specialized curator of fine string instruments. The international market for violins, violas, and cellos has historically been characterized by prolonged distribution chains that obscure provenance and inflate acquisition costs without adding corresponding acoustic value.
Our operational model addresses this structural inefficiency. We bypass traditional retail and wholesale networks, establishing direct partnerships with select, independent master workshops. Our focus is strictly on the acquisition of completed, high-caliber instruments. Every instrument in our collection is sourced based on rigorous physical inspections and acoustic metrics rather than brand speculation. This methodology ensures that advancing musicians, professional players, and collectors have access to instruments that meet uncompromising performance standards through a transparent and direct acquisition channel.
Our Philosophy
Wood First
We source only from tonewoods that have been naturally air-dried for a minimum of fifteen years. No kiln. No shortcuts. Time is the first ingredient.
Maker's Ear
Every instrument is adjusted under playing conditions — not on a bench, but in the hands of the client. The maker listens. The musician speaks. The instrument answers.
Lifelong Relationship
We maintain instruments we have sold indefinitely. A Gavin Strings instrument comes with our promise to adjust, restore, and care for it for the life of both maker and musician.
Milestones
Gavin Ho founds the atelier in Central, Hong Kong.
First international commission — a quartet of instruments for a European chamber ensemble.
Partnership established with Italian tonewoods estate; exclusive supply of air-dried spruce.
Gavin Strings is recognised by the Hong Kong Council for the Performing Arts.
Launch of the Bespoke Soloist Programme — fully customised instruments for concert artists.
Over 600 instruments delivered to musicians across 30 countries.
The People
Gavin Ho
Founder & Director of Acquisitions
Gavin established our direct global sourcing network. Through rigorous evaluations of independent workshops, he secures exclusive allocations of master-level instruments, bypassing traditional retail tiers to ensure uncompromising material quality and transparent provenance for our clients
Elise Ng
Head of Acoustic Evaluation
Marcus oversees our strict acoustic certification process. Relying on objective performance metrics rather than brand speculation, he evaluates every instrument’s harmonic richness, projection, and structural stability, ensuring only those meeting professional concert standards are inducted into our portfolio.
Marcus Lam
Director of Provenance & Global Logistics
Elena manages the authentication and secure international transit of our high-value collection. From securing third-party appraisals to coordinating climate-controlled shipping and cross-border compliance, she guarantees a seamless, fully verifiable acquisition experience for musicians and collectors worldwide.
Visit the Atelier
Come and play.
Central, Hong Kong
By Appointment Only
+852 0000 0000
