Rented my violins all through the 90s at this shop. Returned to purchase an antique violin. 100% would recommend. Fabulous choices and Greg is very knowledgeable. What a gem for St. Louis! read more

St Louis is lucky to have a violin shop of the quality and history of the Bearden shop.

Greg does great work. He restored my cello and did wonderful work. Highly recommended.

I love this violin shop. They are the real deal. The chain stores can fool you with lots of instruments hanging in the store, and it makes them seem legit. My personal experience with the owner of Beardon (he is also a luthier) is that he cares about what instruments he sells and leases, it's about quality not quantity. read more

My wife and I drove from 3 hours away to visit Bearden Violin Shop in order to have a family heirloom repaired as recommended by our daughter's orchestra conductor. Once at the store, we were met by Mr. Bearden, a 3rd generation luthier. In talking with him, it was clear to see that he is very knowledgable and has a passion for his work. The shop was good at communicating with us by phone and email about the status of the repairs. The work was completed before the estimated time, and for less than the estimated cost. We are extremely satisfied with the results on our family's antique violin. read more

Bearden Violin Shop Inc - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

I bought from them twice and rented once for a child. Very knowledgeable and excellent quality. I will always go back.

Amazing experience with Greg. He devoted a lot of time and focus ensuring we found the right cello. Greg is highly knowledgeable and has a wide selection across a broad range of prices. read more

Bearden's violin shop has some high-end instruments. In my opinion, they are over-priced. Bearden's does basic repairs but for the more delicate and difficult work, you'll need to seek-out another luthier. As for rental instruments, Bearden's is okay but if you live in West County or in the St. Charles area, Mozingo music should be your choice because the prices are competitive and the inventory is accommodating. read more

They were out of stock of a very popular brand of viola strings. Didn't bother to offer to order some in nor did he advise of any similar strings that he may have in stock. So I ordered from Amazon. read more

Bearden's violin shop is not trusted by any musician in the St. Louis Symphony for repairs or adjustments. Greg Bearden went to violin-making school in Chicago, but didn't apprentice in any reputable violin shop upon graduation. I've had several instruments repaired there, only to have to take them to a different luthier to have them re-repaired. read more

I'm a college violin professor with an active performing career. I have been using the Bearden shop almost exclusively for more than a decade. I also send all of my students to Greg first whenever possible. He does the best repair and restoration work of anyone I have been able to find in the region. Also he is extremely honest and straightforward. That is a rare thing in this business... I would recommend the shop in the highest possible terms to any string player at any level for instrument purchase, repair, maintenance, and restoration. read more

My father and I took my son there this past Saturday to look at Cellos. It was my 2nd encounter with Greg and both times he has been extremely helpful. On our visit yesterday, he devoted a considerable amount of time to us despite the fact it was nearly time to close up for the day. He was informative and fun to talk with and helped us along by letting my son try a number of different Cellos and bows. We will be back for sure and I look forward to our next visit. read more

Terrible service. I called in advance to make sure he was open. He asked what I was looking for and I told him bows. Then asked how much I wanted to spend over the phone. Taken by surprise, I told him the range I was looking in, he said not to come that he didn't have to for me based purely on how much I wanted to spend. I asked if it was alright to just stop by because I was from out of town with several traveling orchestra members and he more curtly said not to come. Kind of sad he's such a jerk as I've heard good things about his inventory. I won't be trying to go to his shop again. read more

Greg Bearden is as fine and helpful as you will find anywhere. Shoots straight and tells you what you need to know. A finer selection of instruments to buy or rent you will not find. Reasonably priced repair and bow rehairing services. Private tryout room, considerate and patient service. The most knowledgeable instrument dealer I have met. The most reasonable rental rates for cellos we have found. Bearden Violin Shop is at the top of my list for service, quality and value. read more

I have never been treated so disrespectfully at a business as when I went here looking for an expert opinion on a bow along with some rehair/repair work. The gentleman immediately got agitated out of nowhere and asked whether I was a teacher and suggested that I get my teacher to help me instead. Then he got sharper with me demanded to know who my teacher was in a very aggressive and pushy way. I did not understand how that was relevant, but tried to be as nice as possible until I couldn't handle the sarcasm and abuse anymore and just left. Perhaps he was having a bad day, but I would have trouble trusting a business that can treat customers with so much disrespect for no apparent reason. read more

My daugher's been renting a violin from this shop for a few years now. We've had nothing but a great experience. It can be busy on the weekends, but the staff is very helpful and friendly. They've done a great job in fitting my daughter with exactly the right size violin she needs and it was very easy to "upgrade" to the next size up as she's grown. I'm very pleased with Bearden. read more