If you're considering to buy a high quality violin, you definitely should consider coming to this shop. Mario (the owner) will not only offer you violins that respect your budget, but he will also take the time to make sure that you are completely happy with your instrument before making the purchase. Surrounded by warehouses and other small businesses, Alpha Strings is like this hole-in-the-wall violin shop that you go to in order to get all your musical equipment at competitive prices be it a new violin or just a Dampit humidifier. In addition to offering a great selection of instruments - from student violins, to Ming-Jiang Zhu and Wojciech Topa violins - Mario also brings a large sense of sincerity when working with you. Advertising himself as a violinist first and businessperson second, he strongly encourages you to not only trial his violins but also violins outside of his shop. In this regard, he is more than happy to give his recommendation on a violin that best fits your need - perhaps even if the violin is not from his shop. It is definitely a pleasure working with Mario as he brings in so much honesty and authenticity into the discussion; you can tell that he ultimately wants you to succeed in your musical goals. You don't have to take my word for it though; get in contact with him should you need a new violin and see for yourself that there really are honest businesspeople out there (or in this case, inside a small suite filled with violins). As for me, I came home with a Ming Jiang Zhu violin along with a Codabow bow and a Gewa case. During my trial week and even after making the purchase, Mario would reach out and ask how I'm feeling about the violin/bow; now THAT'S customer service. P.S. As of March 2021, Alpha Strings is allowing people to visit via appointment only due to COVID-19. Definitely e-mail/text before coming in person! read more

Alpha Strings - The parking lot where the shop is located. I was skeptical at first but there indeed is a violin shop upstairs. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - La Puente, California

I'm a beginner violinist who had improved enough that my rental violin was not inspiring me to practice as much as I wanted. No matter how smoothly I played, it sounded dull. I decided I wanted to invest in a better violin that could last me a lifetime or at least would hold its value should I ever decide on a different violin. I found Alpha Strings online when I was looking at the Ming Jiang Zhu's. The website seemed a bit sparse and the sale price seemed to be too good to be true, so I hesitated for a couple of days. But then I saw a YouTube video where his friend demoed the MJZ G909's. Playing them through my good speakers, I immediately fell in love with one of the violins. So I e-mailed him without high hopes given the quarantine had shut everything down. But he got back to me within an hour and we chatted on the phone. He gave me all the details about the exact violin I was interested in, and patiently answered all of my questions. At the end of the conversation, I was very satisfied with what I was purchasing (investing). He shipped it immediately the same day and I received the violin in 2 days up in the Pacific NW. The violin was well packed and protected in bubble wrap around all the most sensitive places. He said it would come in a dart box so I was expecting just a wooden box, but surprisingly it actually came a simple, but quite usable nylon violin case. It also came with a certificate of authenticity. All in all, it was exactly how Mario described. Okay the website needs a little polishing, but I'll take fair pricing and great customer service over slick marketing. There's a certain online retailer named after a South American rainforest that sells MJZ violins through some seller that Google does not recognize. I'm not going to trust an unidentifiable seller to ship a fragile expensive item like this. All in all, Alpha Strings is a great business, and Mario provides excellent service. Gem of a business and I hope he picks up more visibility online. PS. On top of running an honest business, Mario also apparently runs/organizes a non-profit called Violins Not Violence that gets youngsters involved with learning to play the violin by occasionally giving them one! This alone tells you a lot about Mario's character. If you're in the market for a violin, check out Alpha Strings. You won't be disappointed! read more

Alpha Strings - My already well played and much beloved MJZ G909. (I switched out the chin rest.) - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - La Puente, California

Mario was awesome! Knowledgeable and generous. I purchased all of my professional wares from him; from my bows, shoulder rest, strings, violin case, to the violin itself. I appreciate not being nickled-and-dimed to death. He's interested in a satisfied customer, not in the bottom dollar. He was available on short notice, and really took his time with me, making sure that I was 100% educated and comfortable with my purchase. Couldn't more more satisfied! read more

I seldom leave reviews but Mario deserves one. First of all he is very knowledgeable with violins. That alone should be a reason to go to him to fix your violins but to make it more enticing, he is such a sweet man. We went there to have a string on a violin fixed. My son has never had lesson or a violin before and after having it for a few minutes broke a string. Mario made him feel better and went above and beyond by showing him some basics on violin playing. My son left there with the biggest smile I have seen in a long time. Mario deserves all the clientele he can have, he is awesome. read more

I am shopping for a violin as Christmas gift, do my research and finally called Mario. He work with the budget I have and also provide a lot of information about violin. The best part that he offer; the upgrade to a better violin if the person kept their instrument in good shape. I will definitely introduce him to anyone for violin purchase. read more

The shop is a little hidden. Mario the owner is professional and has an in depth knowledge of violin and other string instruments. I made the one hour drive from the San Fernando valley to La Puente just to do business with them and would return time and time again for the good quality of merchandise, reasonable prices and professional customer service! read more

I called first to make sure Alpha Strings has the type of instrument I need before we went there. Mario was the guy I talked to over the phone. He was very friendly and quickly set up an appointment for the day and time which was convenient for us. When we got there, Mario already picked out two instruments based on our needs and budget for us to try out. The instruments sound beautiful and the price is much lower compared to other music stores. Mario was extremely helpful and also very knowledgeable with all kinds of string instruments. My daughter asked alot of questions and he was always patient and detailed in answering all the questions. From our conversation with Mario, you can feel that he is not just a businessman, he is more like a musician who loves music and just want to share good instruments at good reasonable price with people. We are very happy to have found this shop. If you ever need to buy or upgrade your string instruments, this is definitely the place to go! read more

Mario is an attentive vendor who seeks to understand your needs first, before he proposes any equipment for your consideration. My buying experience with Mario was seamless and easy, and his knowledge of the instruments, their history, the manufacturers, as well as prevailing market prices was exemplary. With Mario, it is like speaking with an old friend who tells you what he thinks but never rushes you to make a decision, and certainly never pressures you into committing to anything. He is impartial and encouraged me to make my decision when I was ready, and to facilitate that he allowed me to try numerous violins and I took one home on trial so that I could be sure of my decision. In sum, Mario is a knowledgeable, no pressure guy who delivers exceptional personalized service and sells violins and accessories below prevailing market prices. Tremendous value all around. I recommend Mario from Alpha Strings without reservation. read more