Explore every episode of the podcast Instrumental

Most collectors obsess over the labels and provenance of legendary violins, but what if the true value lies beneath the surface? Benjamin Hebbett, master violin restorer and historian, unveils the hidden science, artistry, and ethics behind the world’s most iconic instruments—from Stradivari to Guarneri.

In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover how forensic science is revolutionizing violin restoration, allowing makers and restorers to uncover secrets lost for centuries without damaging priceless craftsmanship. Benjamin shares groundbreaking techniques like infrared scans, CT analyses, and dendrochronology, revealing the delicate balance between preservation and authenticity. He explains how modern technology is not just about preservation but about understanding what makes these instruments alive—and why the stories they tell matter more than the labels they bear.

We break down the subtle clues that separate genuine from fake, the ethical dilemmas of playing or displaying ancient works, and how the pursuit of perfection often clashes with conservation. You'll learn why the most valuable violins are as much political and financial assets as they are musical masterpieces—and what this means for players, collectors, and museums alike.This episode matters because, in a world where instruments can be worth tens of millions, knowledge and integrity are more crucial than ever. Benjamin’s insights invite you to see musical instruments not just as objects, but as part of a living tradition—worthy of careful stewardship and deep understanding.Perfect for musicians, collectors, restorers, and art lovers alike, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the unseen layers that make these instruments timeless icons.

Whether you're fascinated by the science behind the sound or the stories hidden within the varnish, this episode will challenge how you think about the violin’s true value—and its future.

Benjamin Hebbett is a renowned violin restorer based in Oxford, known for his expertise in forensic analysis and historical craftsmanship. His work bridges the gap between art, science, and ethics, ensuring these instruments endure for generations to come.

Get ready to see beyond the surface—because in the world of fine instruments, what you don’t see is often what matters most.

What if one of the simplest stringed instruments could revolutionize modern music? Sam Edelston, a master dulcimer player, reveals how this humble instrument is breaking stereotypes—and how you can harness its potential for surprise, innovation, and pure musical joy.Sam’s journey from high school folk festivals to performing at Carnegie Hall showcases an electric evolution: he’s taken the traditional mountain dulcimer into genres from jazz and classical to rock. Learn how this accessible instrument, often dismissed as basic, holds the key to musical experimentation, genre-crossing creativity, and vibrant storytelling. Sam shares raw stories of fusing pop hits like Whole Lotta Love and Lucy in the Sky with the dulcimer’s gentle resonance, turning it into a powerful tool for performance art and genre mashups.In this episode, you'll discover:

• How the dulcimer’s simple design belies a broad sonic palette that can mimic anything from classical melodies to classic rock riffs
• The surprising ways modern musicians are using effects pedals, electric setups, and innovative tunings to push the instrument’s boundaries
• A behind-the-scenes look at Sam’s evolution—performing at Carnegie Hall, creating viral YouTube covers, and challenging the outdated notion of what the dulcimer can do
• The role of democratization and accessibility in the dulcimer’s resurgence—making it an ideal entry point for beginners and a canvas for advanced experimentation
• How the shape, names, and history of this instrument reflect a melting pot of European influences and American innovation, making it a symbol of cultural crossover and musical freedom

If you think the dulcimer is just a folk instrument for beginners, think again. This episode invites you to see it through the lens of boundary-breaking creativity that offers endless possibilities—perfect for musicians, music lovers, and anyone eager to challenge musical conventions. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious newcomer, you’ll come away inspired to pick up an instrument that’s both accessible and astonishingly versatile.

Discover how relentless creativity and authentic self-expression transform the world of musical instruments. In this inspiring conversation, renowned harp innovator Deborah Henson-Conant shares her extraordinary journey from playful curiosity to pioneering electric harp design that breaks all conventions. Tune in to learn why the harp is more than an instrument — it’s a vehicle for vulnerability, storytelling, and limitless innovation.

Deborah reveals her unconventional path to mastery—learning music through improvisation, experimenting with flamenco, jazz, and classical tunes before formal training even began. She discusses how her deep desire to push boundaries led to creating a harp loud enough to stand alongside an orchestra and exploring new physical relationships with her instrument. You'll discover her inventive techniques like modal improvisation, electrifying her harp with custom pickups, and reimagining the performer’s stage presence to embody vulnerability and storytelling.

This episode breaks down key insights into the evolution of the harp: from ancient forms to today’s electric innovations. Deborah shares her collaborations with pioneering makers, the emotional power of performance moments that transform her relationship with music, and her vision of the harp as a symbol of liberation—liberating herself and the instrument from stereotypes. We explore how her work fosters inclusive creative expression, empowering artists of all genders, backgrounds, and ages to explore uncharted territory.

Why does this matter? Because in a rapidly changing musical landscape, embracing creative risk and physical experimentation opens unlimited opportunities for self-discovery and audience connection. Deborah’s story challenges you to rethink what your instrument (or tool) can do—whether you're a performer, maker, or passionate learner—and highlights the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in artistic growth.

Perfect for musicians, makers, performers, and anyone craving a fresh perspective on creativity’s power, this episode will inspire you to hide less, express more, and see your tools as catalysts for transformation. Get ready to be energized—and maybe even pick up an instrument to see what new worlds it can reveal.

In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, curator of the Royal College of Music Museum, London, for a wide-ranging conversation. Drawing on his experience developing and re-imagining musical instrument museums across Europe, Professor Rossi Rognoni reflects on how collections can tell richer stories about sound, craft, and cultural exchange. We explore the evolving role of instrument museums in the twenty-first century. It’s a thoughtful discussion on how objects, music, and audiences meet—and how museums can bring instruments meaningfully to life.

Harps - and by extension their making - are among the oldest families of musical instruments known to humankind. Most of us recognise the sound of the modern harp, often associated with serenity and calm, but this is only one facet of a far richer and more complex instrument. Far fewer people know how the harps we hear today came to be.

In this episode of Instrumental, I speak with John Hoare, founding partner and director of Pilgrim Harps, the UK’s foremost maker of folk and concert harps, as he reflects on his retirement after nearly sixty years in the craft. John is a true font of knowledge and one of the most experienced harp makers of his generation.

We discuss how he first came to make harps, his life in the workshop - rich with wonderful anecdotes - and the future of Pilgrim Harps under his successors, Penny Johnson and Tom Greaves, as John steps back into a well-earned retirement.