Handcrafted Traditional English Violin Cases.
T.A. Timms & Son
All our work dedicated to our dear much missed friend and tutor M.A. Gordge.
About us
We are a (very) small Husband & Wife (Desmond & Rachel) company base in Buckinghamshire England who have been in business for the past 30 years. Desmond was trained by, and worked with Mick Gordge for some ten years before we started out on our own, naming the business after Desmond's Father Thomas.
Whilst Rachel is very much in the summer of her years, Desmond - not so much and going into semi-retirement, so if you're in a hurry for a case we're probably not the best bet, but if you're not in a desperate rush for a truly hand built case made with love and attention, we'd love to hear from you...
What we do and what we make.
We make three models of Violin Case - all oblong in shape. The 'English Model' is made exactly as Desmond was taught at M.A. Gordge using the same methods and adhesives as used back then. A few changes have been made all of which Mr Gordge said that he'd wished he'd been able to do from day one, and examples are: Full leather hand-stitched handles, hand-made locks which can be replaced without any need to disturb interior lining, suspension, and the enlargement of the corner radius to decrease cover zip wear. In addition, we've replaced the rather unforgiving plywood rib shapes with a high density foam. It's a model of Case well known for its high levels of protection and longevity, and for protecting high value instruments and bows throughout a professional players career.
The Collectors Leather Case as the name suggests is used mainly by collectors of fine instruments, based on the English Model. A fair number of them are though in use day-to-day by players, and we can supply a loose fitting canvas cover for those wishing to use them twenty-four seven. Although the lid has an overhanging weather strip, the canvas cover additionally helps keep nasty weather conditions out, and protects from the knocks and scratches of everyday busy professional use.
New to the party is the 'London Model'. This is based around the lightweight Hill Cases of the 70s/80s which were much admired by Desmond 'back in the day'. Sadly these cases were not at that time very well constructed and hence very few survive today. Using our usual methods of construction we've remedied those constructional problems, added Bow Laths and lined the London Model in super-soft dark green Alcantara fabric, with Cordura used for the covering. To mark thirty years of T.A. Timms & Son we will be producing 30x such cases only - all identical in Colour.
Cases are supplied with a three-layer matching inner blanket and also with a hand-stitched leather shoulder-strap. Leather cases do not come with a shoulder-strap, but do include a pure silk draw-string instrument coverall.
If time allows, we make a handful of Leather Bow Cases each year, each designed to hold ten bows.
PLEASE NOTE: That we do not make replacement canvas covers for makes of case other than our own.
Please contact us for further information / prices.
Materials & Colours.
Our standard Velvet colours are:
Veldt, Laurel, Iberian Wine or Royal Blue. Other colours shown on the enclosed chart are at additional cost (Standard colours we buy by the roll, non-standard special order at a more expensive 'piece price' plus carriage).
Canvas colours are: Brown, Blue, Olive, or Black.
Faux leathercloth Black, Tan, Burgundy.
For Leather Cases please ask as there are a number of options available.
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Enquires, Ordering, Delivery etc.
We welcome enquiries in the first instance by e-mail (Desmond.Timms@gmail.com), please be aware that due to Desmond's (supposed) semi-retirement there may at some time be a delay in reply from time to time but reply we will, and with the greatest pleasure and attention.
When ordering we need of course your full postal address, a contact telephone number and e-mail address to enter alongside your order.
For delivery World Wide we use UPS, and a fixed cost for carriage and insurance can be given at time or order.
Before placing an order, please make yourself aware of any importation duties that may be payable. In our experience on-line information on this subject can be misleading, so checking with your local Customs Office is advised. Where applicable, UPS collect these charges on behalf of Customs. Be aware that any charges for carriage and insurance have been paid via our invoice, and that any charges from UPS upon delivery are on behalf of you Customs Authority only.
T A Timms & Son
Terms & Conditions
2026
Please read these terms and conditions before placing an order. By placing an order with (Desmond Timms trading as T A Timms & Son) you (the customer) agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Products and orders
Example products are shown on the website www.tatimms.com. Each case is made to order.
Orders should be placed by email desmond.timms@gmail.com Your order will be acknowledged by email confirming costs of goods, with an expected lead time and expected delivery costs. At this point the contract for our sale and your purchase of the goods be made and the contract shall be formed at the place form with our acceptance email is sent to you. You will be contacted again to confirm details of order prior to work commencing on your case. We reserve the right to cancel and refund any order at our absolute discretion.
Price and payment terms
When your order is ready an invoice will be issued, payment is required prior to despatch of goods. Goods are despatched as soon as practicably possible once payment is received, unless you request us to hold the goods for any reason. Payment can be made through bank transfer or Wise.com.
Delivery
Delivery will be made by courier. Estimated delivery timescales will be given, please note that these do not include allowance for customs clearance if applicable.
For deliveries outside the United Kingdom, you will need to pay import duties or other taxes applicable to the country of delivery as assessed by customs of that country. Make available necessary information to assist customs clearance.
Limitation of liability
Except for liability arising from fraud or wilful misconduct, the Supplier’s total liability to the Customer, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall not exceed the amount paid by the Customer for the goods and shipping, in the event giving rise to the claim.
In the event of circumstances beyond the control of either party, circumstances will be communicated as soon as practicable. Parties will nt be liable for failure which it could not reasonably avoid, provided that parties act reasonably, their obligations will be suspended so far as reasonable. This will not affect the customer’s rights relating to any right to cancel.
Data protection and privacy.
We respect your privacy it is important to us. We only use the information you give us to process your order, make delivery and provide a quick and convenient service to you in the future. Your details are shared with courier companies and customs to aid efficient delivery.
We do not sell mailing lists to other companies, or divulge any of your personal details to other companies or individuals. Cookies are used on the website www.tatimms.com only to assist your navigating the site. By continuing with your order you accept this policy.
Cancellation and returns
Cancellations can be made by email at any point prior to despatch of goods and within 14 days of receipt of goods. You must contact us prior to return. Returning goods which you have cancelled, you must send back the Goods to us without delay, at your own expense.
Reimbursement - A full refund less any shipping costs and custom fees (unless the goods are faulty) will be made through www.wise.com as soon as practicably possible after the goods are returned/received by us.
Governing law and jurisdiction
The contract (order and supply of goods) is governed by the law of England and Wales.
Disputes can be submitted to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Complaints and dispute resolution
If you are unhappy for any reason with your case, please contact us so that we can resolve this desmond.timms@gmail.com
And finally....
We'd like to thank everyone for their past custom, or even for so much as interest in our work over the past thirty years which have consisted of long hours and for the most part 6.5 days a week
The time has come when working those hours is no longer possible, but we both look forward to making cases for anyone interested in our work well into the future.
Over the past thirty years we've been lucky enough to meet some very interesting people, many of them becoming close friends. We've met and made cases for some very well known Musicians, we've made Cases for Students and Amateurs alike. All have one thing in common, their love of Music and their love of their Violins. To make Cases to protect their much loved instruments is an honour and a pleasure.
In words of the dear Late Mick Gordge:
"We don't save lives, we just make nice boxes"
