Great violin shop! have been a client of theirs since i started playing the violin. Friendly staff and cozy atmosphere!! If you're looking for anything violin, viola, cello related check this place out, you won't regret it. read more

We have been their customers for the last decade. Both myself and my 3 kids violins all came from here. Their service, staff and the quality of their instruments are what you are looking for regardless, you are a 3rd grader starting with your first instrument or professional virtuosa, buying an instrument or getting one repaired I think you would like this shop read more

Gailes Violin Shop - Private trial rooms for you to meet with your instrument before you commit to them - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - College Park, Maryland

i've been going to Gailes for at least 15 years to buy and service viola, violins, and bows. I've always received the most wonderful and kind service. At my appointments, they are always ready for me with a selection of instruments or bows. They are patient and willing to answer any questions. I got my first good quality student fiddle there and also my most recent fiddle, which is a fine antique professional-level instrument. I took advantage of their trade up policy to be able to afford it. I can't say enough good things about Gailes. A friend has many violins and brings them all to Gailes for evaluation and repair. It is a jewel of a shop and we're lucky to have it. read more

I have been looking to learn the cello for quite some time, and wasn't sure where to start as an adult beginner. I received great advice here, and rented a cello the very same day. They also recommended a few starting books and gave me a list of teachers in the area. A great spot for all ages! read more

Thank you Gailes for your excellent and quick service! I am admittedly a band person who also teaches strings. I'm not like beyond lost when it comes to string instruments, I actually really enjoy teaching strings. BUT, I am not as knowledgeable in strings as an actual string person (just like a percussion person isn't as strong in winds) ANYWAY. I came here to pick up some repairs but also asked them a few questions I had about some problems I encountered with my students. They gave me a few ideas and suggestions that I took back with me to my classroom. So loved that they took the time to help out an educator like that. read more

Brought my cello in to have the sound post reset. Not only was it a full of helpful, attentive staff, they took care of it in maybe five minutes. I will absolutely bring all my other string related needs to them. Great location with good parking as well! read more

I'm amazed there aren't tons of great reviews for this place. After months of browsing through questionable show-rooms and dusty attics in music stores throughout the DC area, and playing out-of-tune and neglected instruments, it was a relief to step into Gailes'. They have excellent instruments, a nice selection, and are honest about their products and prices. You can try out any number of instruments in a comfortable, private room; no rush or sales pushing. It was six years ago that I purchased my cello and bow from them - just an Eastman, in the lower price bracket of decent instruments, but because I could try everything out I knew I'd lucked into an unusually rich sound. I'm always asked about the instrument because of it's warm tone - and I've always been grateful for Gailes. Thank you! read more

Gailes Violin Shop is the best. I talked to a number of luthiers in the DF area, probably all of them that are also on this list, to find someone to repair an old cello. Bill was the only one to walk me through what needed to be done to make sure I understood. And he made every effort to save me money rather than other shops that tried to sell me new sound posts, bridges, and strings that weren't necessary. The team at Gailes is delightful and I cannot say enough good things. Would give 6 stars if I could. read more

To be able to do business anywhere anymore in a shop owned and staffed with knowledgable and caring individuals is a treat beyond common experience and Gailes is a place where you can be assured to get that kind of service! If you've ever appreciated the experience of a stringed instrument either as a player or a listener of such, then I am 100% convinced you will be impressed by this shop in College Park, They will leave you with an impression of the kind of customer service that hasn't been seen since an earlier era in America. read more

I live in Baltimore and rent my kids violins there and take mine as well. It's about quality and service. Very friendly and professional.

Just had a really fantastic experience at Gailes! It was a little out of the way for me since I'm in Baltimore City, but I'd honestly recommend it to anyone within an hour radius. 1st time customer, and I was helped instantly. I explained my bridge and soundpost had dislodged during a string change. They instantly took my violin, and within minutes they had fixed it and gave it back to me fully tuned. NO CHARGE. No questions or prompts to buy anything else, just friendly service. You can tell a shop really just cares about the instruments and the player (and not making a quick buck) with little things like this. I was also in the market for a new bow -- didn't want to spend a lot but I wanted something one step up above student range. I told them max $100, but that I was looking for about ~$75 ideally. I expected them to hand me one or two bows that I'd awkwardly have try in front of them, and be slightly pressured to go above the $100 range. Instead, I was given almost 10 different bows to choose from, all within price range, in a private, closed door room to try them out in. Spent exactly $75+tax on a nice wood bow that I know I like the sound and feel of. They also explained that I could come back and trade the bow in later if I decided I wanted something more fancy and I'd get credit toward a new bow. Really the ideal bow buying situation. Online stores may be convenient, but I will definitely be back here instead for future string/instrument needs, no matter how small. read more

Now I am a beginner at violin, and went here to purchase a beginner violin. The note on the door said call for entry, and which I did. The lady did answer and I let her know I did want to browse the violins to purchase. Now I am a man of color and hate when the race card is used but it may as well have been that because I did let her know I was at the front door and I'm sure she saw me as I could not due to glass and reflections. She asked what my spending range was and I told her because a little research led me to believe it would be in the 2-$300 range and said just that. Now of course I could spend more but she asked for a range and I gave her just that. She went on about renting and I of course rather not rent but own my own and to save a long drawn out discussion I went to another seller in GREENBELT where I spent more than my range based on learned knowledge with no issue and she did offer rental first but was more professional. Thank you for not serving me because I would not want my purchase and instrument tainted with any hate, if there was any. read more

I have been a happy and loyal patron of Gailes Violin Shop since I graduated from college back in the early eighties. Having been a patron of other violin shops before that, it took only one visit to convince me to stick with Gailes. It is a gem with an owner and staff and technicians who treat you like you are family and genuinely care about you and your instrument and other musical needs. They do expert repair work and have excellent quality instruments and bows in all sizes. They know how to set up an instrument for the best tonal response and match the bow and choose carefully the right set of strings for each individual instrument. They take the time with you to make sure you are satisfied and they have been so kind and helpful to my students over many many years. Their prices are very reasonable and they have an excellent selection of sheet music and cases, and stands, and other accessories. They really are the best! read more

Got my bow rehaired here after some advice from my instructor. He advised me that this shop has a great history of refurbishing and returning antique bows from customers who take them in to get fixed. He advised me to go to this shop and not another shop in the DC area in MD for bow repair. Talked to the shop's repairman, and he gave me his opinion on the bow. Basically told me that it would cost more to fix than buy a new student bow. However, I went with only the rehair, and I was pretty satisfied with the quick service and quality. I'll def return for repairs on future bows. read more

Gailes' Violin Shop in College Park, MD is a GEM of a shop for the string player. Everything a beginner to a professional string musician needs is here. They have a wonderful selection of quality instruments at a broad range of price points plus the accessories. I got a sense that every instrument is carefully chosen and treated with a lot of TLC! So you know you can feel confident buying your instrument here. I'd like to add that Gailes' has an awesome selection of sheet music. What truly stands out about Gailes' is William Gailes and his staff. Mr. Gailes is a master luthier, he's a walking encyclopedia of string instruments! I learned so much talking to Mr. Gailes. It's obvious he loves what he does and wants what's best for the customer. Shopping for an instrument is easy and no pressure. You try out a variety of instruments in a private room. The customer service is great. I enjoyed my visit today, and I'm sure I'll be returning. Oh and one last thing...I stopped by on a cold, snowy day, and one of the luthiers on staff at Gailes' who happened to be shoveling snow, helped clear snow off my car! I didn't ask-he just did it out of the goodness of his heart. That's the kind of friendly, service-oriented shop Gailes' is! read more

Gailes Violin Shop - Gorgeous private room to try out instruments - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - College Park, Maryland

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A SHOP WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE Stellar violin shop. Have been their customer for about 15 years. Excellent, knowledgeable staff with emphasis on service. Fabulous selection. Did you know they have a "string library," which means you can bring in your instrument and try out different strings there, just to find what you like? Outstanding. Their rooms for trying out instruments and bows are quiet, nicely decorated, and completely private. And they will never hassle you to buy. Quite the opposite. If I want to stop by just to try out something, I get nothing but attentive care with the understanding that I'm not going to buy. Kudos to this little shop. They are some of my favorite people. I encourage you to buy or rent a fiddle, get a better bow, have your bow rehaired, find some sheet music, get a better case, or just try out your next instrument. This is my happy place. Over the years, I've gone from a $500 violin to a $5,000 viola, always trading in the previous instrument for full value (minus the cost of strings). That's about five or six upgrades, I think. Bravo to Gailes Violin. read more

We love Gailes! Rent your violin/cello etc here for a good quality student violin that your child will actually think sounds nice - it really is reasonably priced and so much nicer than rental junk at general music stores. Then you can use your rental credits toward a purchase. Their trade-in program is also very nice - basically like a rental with equity.... by the time the child is ready for a full size, you will certainly want a good instrument - Gailes offers a lot of options, all high quality. We're thankful for Gailes!!! read more

I had to travel from Springfield VA all the way to this shop in College Park MD to get a bridge repaired for my daughter's 30-year old Suzuki, all because of online reviews they've received from other store patrons. And I must admit, their high marks were all well deserved, and I"m adding mine to their list of happy customers. It was a Saturday afternoon when I walked into their store when they were currently attending to another customer. Instead of ignoring me, I was politely asked that they'll get to me as soon as they were done. A few minutes later another young gentleman came out and attended to me. I showed him the instrument and what needed to be repaired. While the other shop closer to my neighborhood advised me to just donate my daughter's violin and purchase one of theirs, this gentleman proceeded to note the serial number, wrote the work order and told me when to pick up. That was it! No condescending attitude, no sales pitches, no insulting the instrument. He was very professional and extremely respectful. I wasn't shocked on the pricing for this repair as it was standard based on discussion boards of several online violin forums. When my daughter got the violin back and played a few tunes on it, I noticed that the sound coming out was much warmer than it was before. I checked the string height and it was well within the standards for a 1/2 size violin, now that's paying attention to detail! Hats off to Gailes' luthier and their staff for treating me and my daughter's violin very well. Thank you very much! read more

We've been to Gailes' 3x for elementary student violin repair and accessory purchase. The staff here are very professional, super-nice and super-knowledgeable. They didn't just steer us toward the most expensive options, they proposed reasonably-priced repairs and purchases that made sense. They have a good selection of music as well. read more

My son needed to rent a violin this year. The price was reasonable and they talked to my son and worked with him to make sure he was comfortable with the instrument, how it should be held, and how to prepare to use it. Wonderful team! read more

Gailes Violin Shop is an outstanding example of how great a shop can be. Do not fool around on Craig's List buying a questionable instrument. Mr. Gailes and his team will give you a very fair price with an outstanding selection and professional service. Also, Mr. Gailes contributes a lot to the string community in the area, for both children and adults. The shop is full service - repairs, lessons, sales, accessories, and wonderful consulting support. Take the extra time to drive to College Park - you won't regret it. We rented from Mr. Gailes twice and bought a 3/4 violin for our daughter. When she is ready to move to full size, we will go straight back. read more

My time at gailes violin shop was AMAZING! The 2 ladies at the front desk were very sweet and it was very cozy and it felt like home. Honestly music is my life! It was my first time going to Gailes Violin Shop because I had passed it a few times but never went in. It's really nice design because it's such a great atmosphere and I really enjoyed it. I went into Gailes Violin Shop to get rosin. I walked in and both ladies were very helpful and friendly. They helped me get the rosin and they're very cheap unlike other music stores that charge 10.00$ for rosin. These ladies made me feel welcomed and not only that but they seem to really love their job because you walk in and there's a smile on their face! When you walk into other music stores sometimes there are really nice people but sometimes there are people who look like they just don't want to be there. But either way Gailes Violin Shop is my new music store. read more

On a technical level, the work I've had done at this shop has been world-class. However, on two occasions, I've been treated in such a rude and disrespectful manner by the "office manager," without any reason I might add, that it is now impossible for me to even consider having further work done at the shop or, for that matter, impossible to recommend that any fellow musicians do so either. It's a true shame, that a shop founded on the consummate skill and work-product of Mr. Bill Gailes and his fine assistants should be tainted by disrespectful support staff. read more

I rented from Gailes Violin Shop and my child bridge on her violin broke. I opted out on their insurance but they repaired the bridge and Mr. Gailes himself even gave me a discount! Courteous and professional team of people! read more