I live in a far-away city, but I visited Givens Violins on two different occasions (35 years apart!) while searching for a new instrument. Even though my instrument budget changed by factor of four between my first and second visit, I was treated with exceptional care and respect both times. (Do call ahead when visiting top-tier shops like this.) They have a fantastic inventory, from newly made to historically significant instruments and everything is perfectly set up. Claire Givens is not only a nationally recognized string instrument expert; she is also a thoroughly lovely person. Whether you are a professional player or a devoted amateur, make a special effort to visit this shop! read more

As fate would have it, I found myself 1200 miles away from my Wisconsin home in the deep South, playing fiddle/violin shows on the Atlantic beach nearly every day. I needed bows rehaired and I needed a new bow to replace my "baby" while it sent away to get rehaired. NOTHING. There was nobody in the area that could help me out. I recalled visiting Claire Givens Violins about 4 decades ago. I've been playing for 52 years. It was a long shot (literally 1500 miles away) but I reached out to Claire Givens Violins and not only did they hook me up with some OVER THE MOON new bows, they rehaired my "baby" and did a remarkable job. Every single facet of Claire Givens Violins BLEW ME AWAY from their professionalism, knowledge, feel, vibe, service, honesty, and above all, LOVE for violins and the violinist (ME)! I give Claire Givens Violins TEN STARS on a 1-5 rating. Chris Cary read more

When I was a young student, my family bought my first good cello from Givens Violins. Even though I was about 12 at the time, I still clearly remember the kindness and care Claire took to make sure I had the right instrument. I stopped in the shop over the next ten years whenever I was in Minneapolis to buy supplies or see what was available. One day, Claire called me out of the blue. She told me they had just rebuilt an old English cello that she thought would be perfect for me. I drove to Minneapolis, tried it, and fell instantly in love. Claire was spot on! That cello was my professional instrument for my entire career as a cellist. It served me well as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Many people often remarked on its physical beauty and its amazing sound. Claire also shipped bows to me to try when I was in an emergency situation and needed one right away. Again, she provided an excellent selection perfectly suited to my needs. Over the years, I also bought cases, strings, rosin, etc, and got repairs and advice from Givens Violins. I always, always found everyone there friendly and helpful and everything I ever bought there was fantastic, and every repair was extremely well done. I have frequented other violin shops on the East and West Coast and Europe, and never found any that combined the top-rate professionalism with the friendliness and excellent customer service that Givens Violins provides. read more

I bought a violin there and the whole experience was delightful. Leah helped me try out many wonderful violins, identified my poorly articulated preferences, and then brought out a violin that called to me. read more

I bought my first cello from Claire Givens about four years ago. I had been playing for only a year and I didn't know much about cellos. They we're wonderful. They matched my (meager) abilities to a wonderful cello in my price range. Three year later I upgraded to a nicer cello and received a wonderful trade in. They have always treated me as if they cared more about what is best for me than what is best for them financially. I have been back many times for repairs and questions and just to play their large selection of cellos and bows. It's alway been a very enjoyable experience. I highly recommend them. read more

where do i begin? Went in to look at some entry level violas and got the worst service! i walk in the door and nobody greets me, nobody is in the main area save for an old guy who doesn't respond when i tell him i have an appointment to try out some instruments. then a young guy, named john comes over and gladly lets me in to a small room to try out two shiny violas. this guy was not very concerned at all for my budget, immediatly he asked if i was willing to pay over $5000!!! i told him no, my budget only goes to $4000, no more. I was also using a borrowed viola from another music store, and this guy spends the whole 20 minutes saying how mine was "nasal, unclear". all the while he is trying to get me to buy something more expensive. I told him i would look around some more at other places, and this guy immediately asks if i want to take it home and try it. i said no thanks, but he insisted and was extremely rude when i told him the instruments didn't suit my tastes, asking me why. i simply repeated what i said before, i don't like the sound. all the while i am trying to keep my cool and refrain from yelling at him "I DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKING INTRUMENTS!!!!!!" thankfully he did back off after seeing my building rage. later went to groth music and bought a viola for $2500, better quality and service. i will never go to this place again. Maybe it's good for high end stuff, but apparently us students who don't need a professional grade instrument don't deserve their time and effort. avoid this place like the plague. read more

My family and I have been doing business with Givens Violins since I purchased my first cello at 14 years old. For nearly a decade have been back in the shop for repairs, bows, cases, and strings (honestly the cheapest place to get cello strings - you won't find a better price). The staff members are always friendly and extremely helpful, getting any repairs done in a timely manner. When I was 16, I had to have the neck reset on my cello following an accident and the staff quickly and efficiently dealt with my insurance provider. I am currently in the process of looking for a new cello, and after trying instruments at numerous shops I can guarantee that you will not find better quality instruments and bows for the price anywhere else! read more

Great friendly service. Went looking for a cello stand and my husband found one for $25. Would have preferred one with a tall support for the back of the instrument however it gets the job done. They also do parking vouchers for the Hilton and Orchestra Hall parking ramp. read more

The process of shopping for a professional level cello bow by mail was very pleasant and personal. Claire made a real effort to understand my preferences and did an excellent job in choosing which bows to send me, especially since she had real knowledge because of having personally played all the bows she was offering. She was flexible and easy to deal with at every step of the way, as were the rest of the people I talked to at the shop. read more

I moved to Minneapolis in 1988 and I can remember the first day I walked into Claire Given's shop. I had been having problems with a new cello that I had bought from a VERY well-known shop in Chicago, but despite all the efforts by the Chicago shop, the cello was still too bright with an undesirable edge to the tone. Claire's shop was able to make several corrections to the cello and they worked with me for quite a few months as we "tamed" my cello and got it to a place where I could enjoy playing again. My first experience at Claire's shop was so positive that I have brought her all of my business for the past 28 years. I carry a full load of cello students in my studio and nearly all of my students have bought their cellos, strings, bows, etc. from Claire's. Sure, there are "cheaper shops" in town, but you get what you pay for. Several times I've had students think they could get a better deal by going to another competitor, but every single time they have learned that they aren't getting the same service nor the same quality of instrument that Claire has to offer. (For one family who went to a another shop, their decision to not use Given's cost them $8000 in repairs on a cello that they had already overpaid $22,000 for.) One of the best services that Claire's shop offers to all of my students is a free 6 month check-up. These check-ups are vital in maintaining an instrument and avoiding the cost of bigger repairs that can occur down the road. I also appreciate how much Claire is involved in the community with sponsoring workshops, clinics, masterclasses, and helping kids in our community be exposed to fine artists. She has helped people have access to instruments that they normally would not be able to afford, including children with handicaps who need instruments that have been adapted for their special needs. Claire and her crew stand behind their instruments and whenever I have students in to try out cellos the shop is always right there listening to us and making string changes or sound post adjustments so we are 100% happy with the cello that is being purchased. I cannot say enough about how much I (and my colleagues) appreciate having a shop like Claire Given's here in Minneapolis. She is very well respected by the professional musicians and teachers and her reputation is far reaching. I was in Portland in June and was asked to play at a prayer vigil. I had not flown with my cello, so I had to make an emergency visit to the local cello shop to see if I could rent a cello for about 4 days. As soon as I told them I was from Minneapolis and that I used Claire's shop for all my business, the owner smiled brightly and told me that I could have any cello in the shop and that there would be no charge. read more