Best Stringed Instrument Maker Saint Louis Near Me

Kevin Jones: Very helpful and friendly to visit with!

Casey Penn: I was able to find a wonderful new (old) instrument through Geoffrey, and he offered great service and information. I'm happy with my purchase.

Terry Lambert: Lots of knowledgeable!

Julia Mitra: Super cool shop, owner is super knowledgeable and helpful!

Billy Barnett: Fantastic St louis Icon

cara mcculley: Extremely knowledgeable luthier! Also just a super nice guy, fun to chat with, and that STORE! It should be on tours of St Louis, truly remarkable.

Matthew Lewis: Neat little shop with huge inventory and friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced owners. It's hard to find places these days with such an appreciation for craftsmanship.Mr. Seitz gave us a reasonable value on our trade and a good price for a 1/4 size violin for our daughter (which sounds much better than the student violin she'd been using). We never plan to buy her another violin anywhere else, and once I can save up a bit I plan to return to pick one out for myself.We just stopped by while in town, but it's better to call ahead for an appointment so they can have relevant inventory ready for you to view.I'm not sure if they carry totally new instruments (other than what Mr. Seitz makes on site) but all the pre-owned instruments are carefully restored and in great shape. If you're looking for a handcrafted violin, or a quality instrument with some history behind it, this is absolutely the place to go.

Laura Plummer: I am the orchestra director of a metro area school district and have been taking our best instruments to Geoff for many years. He does an outstanding job repairing and restoring our instruments, be it our elementary strings that need continual repair or our top very fine high school instruments. He has an excellent inventory of great instruments. We purchased my daughter's cello from his shop and have had students purchase instruments over the years and all have been very pleased. Geoff is a talented and very humble craftsman who takes his time ensuring repairs are made right.

L B: Very rude and racist. He tried to do extra services like cleaning the bow which was not needed. Beware and take a second opinion!

Cindy La: I got my violin from here and absolutely love it. He knows his craft well.

Brian Johnson: Went in for some info and got all my questions answered and more. Very knowledgeable and friendly people.

Michael Banvard: This is the only place I go to get my fiddle worked on. Geoff is amazingly talented, and humble about it as well. This is a great old world fiddle shop, filled with an incredible variety of instruments and curios.

Michael Lewis: Fantastic luthier! Timely work, great workmanship, and good prices always. He set up both basses I have owned, and they play amazingly well. I travel over 100 miles there after every orchestra season for my annual maintenance.

mitch davis: A number 1 service- can not be matched, second to none

Michael Forsberg: Very helpful and knowledgeable about the instrument!

Mary Ann Young Schulte: Knowledgeable owner. Great workmanship. Shop is full of unusual instruments for sale.

Mama Lan: This is a magical place full of great people with mad skills. Always excellent repairs to my instruments at more than reasonable prices. I've never had anything less than an exceptional experience with Mr. Seitz.

Nicole Shanks: This man is a book of knowledge! What a jewel for the St Louis area. If you need violin, cello, upright bass, Or repairs this is the place to go.

Jane Schlake: Friendly service on repair of my son's violin

Kim Burton: I called maybe a week or more ago. I was in the midst of asking a question about restringing my electric violin, the phone went dead on their end, so I said maybe it was an accident & called back a few seconds later. It rang, then that loud piercing noise, when the phone had been hooked to a computer went off in my ear. Won't be taking my violin over there.

Sara Rickman: Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Affordable options.

Rachel L: Awesome place! Great selection! Wonderful customer service!

Arielle Fisher: They did a great job fixing my violin. Plus I bought such a great bow to use there.

Richard Hendrix: I have been in the business for 52 years and I will never ever come back here. The instruments are extremely commercially made and you will not see your money coming back out of them if you want to resell. Your violin should have some value when you leave the place. But the auction houses will not even carry these instruments and no shop in their right mind would take these instruments for trade in value on a better instrument. Start with a more reputable shop.I don't expect this review to be posted because I think they have control of it. After I posted, you do not see it on the site so there's a problem here.

Gary Lee: St. Louis Strings is a wonderful shop for string players purchasing or renting instruments and buying needed items such as rosin, mutes, instrument stands, rockstops, etc. It's fun to see all of the instruments in the store. They take excellent care of my cello students and they are super nice people. Their satellite store in Chesterfield offers a convenient location for those in West County. The St. Louis area is so fortunate to have them. I'm pleased that I can send my students to them.

martin lawson: Excellent service and budget friendly

Kristy: Very helpful and a great place to get your violins for students and your kids

Rachel Kuzma: I took my violin here and had a wonderful experience! I hadn't had my violin serviced in about 10 years, and it was in need of some work. I took it in for repair at St. Louis Strings and the luthiers looked it over, carefully assessing it for what repairs would be needed. They gave it new strings, a new bridge, and a new sound post. They even filled in a small chip in the finish! My violin went from sounding tinny to having the rich and deep tone that it had when I first purchased it. The luthiers did a wonderful job! I will definitely be taking my violin here any time that I need a repair in the future! Highly recommend!

Mike Lang: I have taken my double bass to Sean several times over the last few years, and he continues to impress, as do the entire staff at St Louis strings. Sean has dressed the fingerboard adjusted the angles on my bass bridge, making it much more playable. Most recently, Sean installed a 45° rabbath end pin made of oak. All the work he's done has been of the highest order. The new angled end pin has transformed my instrument on many levels. It is now much lighter in feel and easier on the left hand due to its lower center of gravity; access to the upper register of the instrument is easier, and it is now markedly fuller in tone due to the wood on wood set up. I will continue to highly recommend Sean for any type of luthier work. In addition Joe and the rest of the staff have been very professional and helpful. Their selection of bows and instruments is vast. They listen carefully to what you need and deliver on all fronts!

Dan Stevenson: Impeccable service, goes up and Beyond, great place to get help for violins and stringed instruments

Pat Knapp: Rental....fair & squarw.

Caroline Swift: Shaun did a wonderful job servicing my old violin! I’m so happy with the sound after he replaced a part, and it feels much lighter, and the fingerboard work has made higher positions so much easier. It feels good. The whole team at SLS is great! Warm and friendly staff, lots of knowledge about strings and happy to explain things. Thank you!

L B: The best

K D: Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Rental fees are put toward purchase of instruments.

Jordyn Evans: St. Louis Strings is amazing! All of the employees are very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. We have bought several bows, rented instruments, and had major repairs done here and each time I have been very satisfied by their amazing service!

Michaela Kuba: Excellent customer service and competitive pricing!

Victoria Nabual: I rented a violin for my daughter from here and I must say this is nice establishment. The staff are friendly and attentive. The instruments looked well taken care of and it's set up very neat inside. I was on plan of payment where I could pay every three months and that fit my budget perfectly. I would definitely recommend this place to others!

Unstoppable Pi: Have real good violins!

Adam Wilson: Fantastic staff located in a charming neighborhood. We purchased a new violin manufactured by their factory. Their instruments are beautiful and well crafted, with amazing sound especially from their beginner series. Yes it's more exprensive than ordering online, however you will not find a mass produced violin that sounds as good as their's. You can expect the staff to help with any question you have. They are very friendly to beginner and experienced players both. If you decide to upgrade in the future they currently credit the full amount you paid for your instrument upon trade in and apply it to your upgrade. If your in need of a stringed instrument this is the place to go.

Quinten Ramey: Wonderful experience and very knowledgable employees. Highly recommended.

Elana Estrin: Lovely and gracious people, and excellent instruments!

Jean Estrin: We were very impressed by the professionalism and graciousness of Clemens Violins.

Daniel Estrin: Clemens is professional, classy and lovely to work with.

Stanley Estrin: I highly recommend Clemens Violins! The instruments are beautiful, and the owners are extraordinarily gracious, caring, and generous people.

Becca Neely: Robert and Julia worked on my original violin and did a phenomenal job. Later I purchased an instrument from Robert, which is by far the most spectacular instrument I have ever owned! They are great people with fair prices who are very generous when doing business with their customers.

Abigail Stahlschmidt: I've had the pleasure of working with Robert and Julia many times over the years. They've worked on my violins, and bows, and even did gorgeous restoration work on a vintage violin of mine! Just recently, I asked if they could help me find a chin rest that suited my tall neck/slim frame better, and Julia was able to provide an array of chin rests for me to consider. I'm happy to say that I finally have a chin rest that fits my frame, and alleviates the tension I had previously been experiencing in my neck and left shoulder! I'm extremely grateful to Clemens for their service, and highly recommend them to anyone with stringed instrument needs!

Celina Boldrey: Robert and Julia are so incredibly kind, professional, and thoughtful. I and my students so appreciate their instruments, repairs and generosity. I cannot imagine having my “studio shop” be with anyone else.

Tristen Smith: I’ve never been to the store itself but I know for a fact the owners are so friendly. I enjoy seeing them every time they’re in town here in Franklin, TN. Great to see you all again and I’ll make my way to St. Louis eventually! Go Cards.

Christia Chambers: I have never met a kinder, more generous and truly ethical luthier business. I recommend all of my students purchase an instrument from Robert and Julia. Besides phenomenal customer service, the instruments are incredible. Whether buying one of Roberts instruments or just purchasing through them and having it set up, the quality is unmatched. I highly recommend this shop!

Jacqueline Dovgalyuk: Beautiful instruments and wonderful folks! We have been very pleased with the violins we have purchased for our two children. The Clemens are our go-to shop as our children continue to grow in their musical careers! They have been very responsive when we've needed little adjustments, such as when our daughter was very particular about her chin rest. Wonderful and personalized service!

Carl Sasse: Excellent folks to work with. Very professional service. Thank you.

Marian Drake: I have been doing business with Robert and Julia Clemens since 1994 when they had a shop in St. Charles, Missouri. I purchased Robert's Goffriller model cello in 1995. I now have his Strad model which I absolutely love! Robert and Julia are always available for when I need a bow re-hair or some adjustments to the cello. They are master technicians and wonderful people!

L B: Very greedy owner. Broke my violin string just so she could sell me one of her used violins for $900. My violin is a student violin that works perfectly fine. Now it has a broken string. Just so she could get more money💰. Greedy and misleading. Don't recommend at all!

Catherine Powers: I first met Robert and Julia when I was buying a violin for my 7th grade daughter . I knew as soon as we entered the Clemens establishment that we were in the right place. Robert and Julia were absolutely wonderful and treated this very small purchase with kindness and patience. My daughter got the perfect violin , which is why so many students and teachers depend on the Clemens for their string instruments. It seems students rely on the Clemens for instruments as their skill.level increases . Of course , Robert makes instruments that are a work of art and Julia fixes very expensive violins and other instruments The Clemens always work with integrity, kindness , and true knowledge and love of string instruments

Clint Branch: Over the last 6 years of doing business with Clemens, we have found their integrity and commitment to excellence unmatched. Owning two Clemens handcrafted instruments, I would recommend this shop without hesitation and with complete confidence. The exceptional quality, sound, and artistry of these instruments are consistent with service and commitment we have received from both Robert and Julia.

Rich Pope: I've visited Clemens Violin's Website and I was extremely impressed, especially the Goffriller cello they are selling. The owners of the store are very knowledgeable and kind people and I recommend Clemen's Violins to anyone.

Mai Shaffner: We have loved every violin we have received for our THREE children through Clemens! Having purchased violins elsewhere before finding Clemens, I was in awe at how amazing Clemens' violins sounded. The owners are super helpful and take good care of us. :) Won't go anywhere else now.

Gael Hernandez Palmer: The Clemens constantly go above and beyond with their customer service and in their work. I Wouldn't want to take my violin anywhere else!

Heidi Bennett: I can honestly say that purchasing Clemens handcrafted instruments has been among the most satisfying and worthwhile investments we have made for our daughters, now who are both young adult musicians. Robert and Julia are people of sound integrity who go above and beyond with unparalleled service and support. The violins produce strikingly beautiful sound, and have been instrumental in the success our children have enjoyed. We trust Robert and Julia completely, we recommend them without hesitation, and will continue to count on them for our needs.

Jenny Jadrich: I recently visited Clemens violin shop for violin and bow repairs, and without previous intention, within one week, I purchased one of Robert Clemens' handcrafted instruments!It has been thirty seven years since I considered acquiring a new instrument. But, after the opportunity to play Clemens 2017 and 2018 Guarneri style violins, I was hooked.Dealing with Robert and Julia Clemens was a delightful experience. The purchase process was easy and accommodating. Besides being experts in their trades, the Clemens are down right good people. My husband and I look forward to future encounters.Robert also cured the problem I had with my original violin, a ninety year old handcrafted instrument given to me by my father. Now I feel proud to continue enjoying my father's instrument, and I am thrilled to practice and perform with my new Robert Clemens violin!Sincerely, Jenny Jadrich

Steph van Schalkwyk: Knowledgeable and friendly service.Excellent turn-around time on a fingerboard shaping, bridge cut, re-string, peg adjusts.My go-to luthier.

J Ross: Excellent customer service and fast turn-a-round time.I would definitely recommend.

Lauren Warren: I have rented instruments for both by children from Michael. It has been very convenient and easy. I truly appreciate the personal touch he provides. Hi

Vincent Peng: Michael provided a quality bow re-hair with an exceptional turnaround time. Would definitely use his services again.

J Ang: Michael was super responsive and provided amazing expertise and care for my violin.

James Wall: Excellent customer service and craftsmanship! And at such great prices!

Steve Recks: Friendly, great attention to detail.

Mary Ann Young Schulte: I'm not a string player, but the shop had a variety of violins to choose. Good service.

Deb Deweese: Very helpful, quality violin bows. Great experience. Will shop there again!

craig nunnally: The staff here are so friendly, welcoming, and proactive in sharing information regarding all things instrument. I was a little hesitant going in because I am a newbie on double bass. Their shop can look intimidating because it is so elegant. However, they all were so helpful and inviting, it immediately took away any feelings of me not being good enough to be in there. I cannot recommend Top Notch enough. I'd give them 10 stars, and still say they deserve more. The have a customer for life with me!!

Melissa Brinkley: Really easy to work with and knowledgeable of the instrument. We got a beautiful violin for our daughter.

Chad Brauss: Exceptional knowledge and service.

Bill Bauer: These guys are the best, just like their name says. Fair value pricing, reliable advice and a talented luthier/s on staff.

Lana Brummett: They were super friendly, helpful and made the transaction go very smooth. My daughter loves her new cello!!

Casey Penn: We've relied on Steve and the team at Top Notch Violins for many years now. He/they are all about making sure the customer finds the right instrument and accessories. Their expertise in all areas of playing and fitting an instrument is invaluable. I call Steve the "chin-rest whisperer" because he has helped me on more than one occasion to find the perfect fit (not only in a chin rest but also a shoulder rest) that allows me to play in my most relaxed position, without pain to my neck and shoulders. I play the fiddle, but my husband relies on the Top Notch team for their wonderful bass expertise, too (something hard to find in many string shops). In summary, Top-Notch Violins is a great source for fine instruments and fine folks to help you at every stage of your playing.

Crocco1998: I have only had my violin for a few days and so far really love it. Top Notch Violins were really helpful when I got a rent-to-own violin. I told them my size and which level of violin I wanted. They made sure I liked the sound of the violin by letting me play a few. They even played on them too so I could hear the difference in sound a little better. They took the effort to help me to realize that a 7/8 violin was a better side for me than a 3/4 or 4/4 violin. I came in thinking I was a 3/4 size. I would totally recommend them to anyone looking to get a string instrument in the violin family.

Stacy Blassingame: This is our first rental experience at Top Notch and they were knowledgeable, friendly, and thorough.

Susan Oris: Welcoming, helpful, knowledgeable, and skillful. A pleasure to spend time with them.

kara sullivan: Very informative and professional people that work there and very nice as well.

Sonny Collins: Absolutely wonderful and inviting environment as soon as you walk through their doors. Extremely patient staff that are obviously excited about what they do there. I had brought in a very dirty 128 year old German violin about a month ago to have replacements done and a neck readjusted and it was done very well and within quick timing. It sounds absolutely amazing and I will be coming back soon for a bow.

Amy Ratliff: 2nd purchase from them. Wouldn't go anywhere else. Thank you Top Notch!

Stephen Snofke: I love this establishment!! The employees are super helpful and understanding!! I went in to price a violin and left with a beautiful violin that I'm renting for a year and the amount I paid goes toward it's purchase if I decide to keep it!! They are super flexible and affordable too!! I would recommend this place over I anyone purchasing a string instrument!!!

justin heines: Great shop, with impeccable customer service

Jake Simon: We have a young student that participates in the Webster Groves strings program and were directed to use this shop/studio to rent interments from.On our occasional visits, we have always received helpful service - whether it be instructions and care of the violins, billing, or anything that popped up. We have been happy customers for 3+ years. Because of the WG program (and Top Notch's support), we are so grateful that our children have this opportunity to learn and experience music at a high level but at minimal cost.I love participating via Google Reviews - if you find this review helpful, please click Like below. Thanks!

Tom Simer: Friendly staff great selection very nice place!

Rebecca Jabouri: Roses are red,Violins are black and brown.If you need a great place for your stringed instrumentThis is truly the best place in town.The customer service is 'Top Notch'They treat you like a queenThe whole business experience is amazing-AND... the store is organized AND its super clean!**WOW** Top Notch Violins is incredible! We recently transferred from another local violin rental store after years of 'drama' and sub par customer service and I have to tell you -- the overall customer experience is like night and day! From the moment I first contacted the store to the next day when we picked up our instrument - the customer service was truly first class! The gentlemen in the store were patient, courteous and professional - taking the time to explain the instrument policy, the store, and payment process as well as guiding me to the website. The website - is phenomenal. From an end-user standpoint, the interface is well designed, simple to follow, and makes it super efficient to rent an instrument.When we arrived in the store, there was a slight mix-up on the instrument and the owner stepped right up to get everything exchanged and send us on our merry way. He spent time showing my daughter how to use the new shoulder rest (we had been using a sponge) and gave some pointers on bow care and rosin.Truly exceptional service, great variety of products *available* so you are not waiting days/weeks for an instrument, great store location, very clean and organized facilities... if you aren't being treated like the amazing person you are by your current violin shop - PLEASE COME HERE! They value you and will take good care of you and your stringed instrument friend. =)

Brittany Burdette: They had a lot of knowledge i highly recommend coming here

kiwisweetie Hi: We were referred here by my daughter’s cello teacher and have been renting both a cello and a viola for several years. Now we are purchasing a cello. We make the drive from west county because Greg is worth the trip. This is a lovely, charming older shop. Greg has not just knowledge but wisdom. His instruments and bows are excellent quality, I highly recommend for any serious musician. I can’t understand the poor reviews here because Greg has always been so kind. (Speaks more to the reviewer than to him, in my opinion.) Also, fyi we do call ahead to make an appointment. I don’t think it’s needed, but I prefer to do that.

Richard Hendrix: St Louis's premier violin shop, well established and known worldwide. If you are looking for a serious instrument, this is the place to go. I have been dealing with them for at least the past 20 years.

Jacque Gray: I purchased my bass from Doug Bearden in 1964 and it has never left my side. I was so happy and enjoyed Doug and what an artist he was.

Gary Lee: Bearden Violin Shop is a well-respected St. Louis business with a 3-generation history of expertise working with the best quality instruments. I can confidently refer students there knowing they can rent or purchase an excellent instrument. My antique cello has been given quality care there and thanks to Greg I love my cello more than ever. My first cello was sold to me and my parents in the fall of 1975 by his dad, Gene so I've had a relationship with this shop for a long time.

mike Holder: Greg bearden is the best violin or Viola luthier in Missouri!! His knowledge is Remarkable and hard to find. They even had a Original Stratovarius at time. It's a must see small shop, when in Saint Louis or in Missouri...

Kimberli Moore: GREAT independently owned local shop. Each and every time I've visited I've received friendly and honest advice. I was seeking to upgrade my daughter's rental viola and the owner took the time to give me honest feedback about his choices and the quality thereof. I look forward to my visits and know I can trust this shop. I love the instrument we left with, as did my daughter's professional viola instructor.I agree with another reviewer, this shop has a unique old town feel and great personal service.

Trent Buskirk: Our violin teacher referred us to Bearden. We have since moved away from St. Louis but continue to go back to Bearden for all our violin needs. Greg helped repaired my daughter's full size violin which she dropped accidentally and broke the scroll. Greg did a beautiful job to repair it and at a reasonable cost. My daughter was so happy when she got her violin back.Greg is very honest and personal. We have been happy customers of Bearden for almost ten years now and will continue to go back to them for our violin needs.

Steven Judd: Quality, conscientious care for your instrument. They took care of my immediate need and made me feel comfortable with the work being done on my instrument. They are my first choice for any needs I have for my instrument.

Eben Shantz: Down to earth and fair. Old school in a good way, can't find places like this anymore

ZhenSheng Sun: Lots of high quality selections and very nice people!

Pam Mccandless: This place has everything you need for kids in music class!

Adrienne White: Great!

albert stix: Really enjoyed meeting Greg at his shop again this past Saturday. It is my 2nd encounter with him and both times, I have found him to be very helpful and very informative. My father and I took my son there this past weekend and despite it being nearly time to close for the day, he offered my son several very nice Cellos to try out along with some very nice bows. I learned more about Cellos and bows in one hour with Greg this past weekend than I’ve learned in the entire last five years that my son has been playing. Greg said he had another nice Cello coming in and that he would call us when it is ready to try out. I’m sure we will be back and can’t imagine buying one from anyone else at this point.

Rich Pope: It's all about money with this place.

Jocelyn Wildman: This place has been here a long time and the owner knows what he's doing.Update - recently went back to get a violin for my daughter. Very happy with the service and personal customer service we received.

Cherry Nguyen: This is my first time every bringing my violin anywhere. I brought my violin in to get the seam re-sealed. I had called first to ask about the pricing and for anyone that is wondering, they’re all at a reasonable price. I dropped my violin off and had it fixed. The Asian lady was very nice, I’m assuming she’s his assistant or something. But she was really nice and I looked forward to seeing her because her first impression was very nice. I briefly met Mr. Bearden and he was very kind to me. After my violin was fixed, I came to pick it up and I was surprised to a freshly polished violin. I guess Mr. Bearden noticed that my violin really needed some TLC but this literally made my day 10x better. It was a very kind gesture for him to do that especially since I’m a college student. I will definitely be coming back here to get anything else done.

Cindi Blanke: Repairs are affordable and done well

Lana Xu: Highly recommended. Mr. Bearden is very nice and helped me a lot in violin choosing.