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    Ifshin Violins

    3.9 (118 reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    the inside of the store, checkout area.

    the workers were extremely kind and patient towards me. their prices aren't high either, and they offer many different instruments here. this cellist that was helping me even helped me add tape to my double bass. she was extremely understanding, since I'm a student bassist. the service overall was amazing, and the website is really organized. i will definitely come again, awesome shop.

    The superb repair job by Colin at Ifshin!
    Melissa Y.

    I have been to Ifshin various times over the years for violin-related purposes, but this review is specifically about their excellent service on an unconventional task. I have an erhu and the ornamental head broke off when the instrument fell over (I should not have left it standing upright!). I called Ifshin and spoke with Colin, and he knew which instrument I was talking about and agreed to help. When I brought the erhu in, I was received kindly by the lady at the front. Colin examined the instrument and explained the process for repairing it. Because the glue was slow drying, the instrument would need to sit clamped overnight. I returned for it the next day that Colin was in the workshop and saw that he had done a superb job! The repair price also remained constant from the initial quote through payment and seemed reasonable especially considering the more unorthodox nature of the job. I'm very grateful to have had my erhu professionally repaired at Ifshin even though that is not their usual line of work. They went above and beyond here, and I will not hesitate to return with my future violin needs (hopefully this erhu repair will be the last though!).

    Books
    Tiffany C.

    This place is beautiful. It's huge and bursting with instruments and books and other string instrument related supplies. The staff were super attentive and kind even though our 2 year old basically spent the entire time running and screaming through the store. Love it here.

    Emi J.

    For some reasons every time we come here to rent or make changes to new strings, or upgrade to a larger size violin for my son, we walk away feeling talked down to. The tone from the rental department managers and staffs carry a very condescending tone of voice....through the 5 years renting for my little one. Every time! Mind you we pay a deposit, replacement of strings/bows then almost $29 per month about per month for 5 years! The violin we check out and rent always comes with pre-existing dings, scratches all around. And I will always ask how come there are so many existing dings? Well what seems to be down to a well rehearsed response. The staffs assured us that these are existing ones so we wouldn't be worried. It's "noted" on file. Supposedly! Well, let me tell you something. Each every time we return to switch to a larger size due to growth the staffs inspects the violin what seems to be down to the minute microscopic inspection. Making rather rude comments as if they are doing you the favor by accepting this so called "damaged" goods back...damaged. Seriously upsetting as my responsible child respectfully knows value and keep it safe! And we started to record video zooming in to note existing scratched small chips nicks go protect ourself just as one would do a walk through move in/move out. Highly recommend it to all rental parents. Parents, be forewarned Ifshin rental staffs did this to us each and every time! When it was time to buy now that he is full size 1, a friend suggested I go check out A&G Music in Oakland instead and sure enough I did. Wondering Why was I not aware of A&G here in the first place? At A& G I received attentive service with an appointment with the owner. We immediately bought a size 1 violin at A&G right away. So refreshing to receive positive welcoming service at A & G!!! then it makes you realized you have not been treated very nice here at Ifshin rentals. Ifshin, You didn't do me a favor with condescending tones. You may have been in business forever because there limited stores in this industry. However please treat people who walks in your store and give you business and money and pays for your rent and food with some respect please!

    Jay Haide 104's have great sound.

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    4 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Wonderful service! The staff was nice and helpful, my violin has now lasted a few years and is holding up wonderful, worth the price.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    My daughter has gotten 2 different violins from here. Very good service from the staff member and high quality of violin.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Friendly and knowledgeable. I got my cello strings replaced in just a few minutes. Beautiful place.

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    5 years ago

    Very pleasant experience renting my daughter's violin from there. Excellent customer service and reasonable prices!

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    11 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Love Ifshins. Got very patient expert help for a beginner viola player to fit the chin rest and shoulder rest. Much appreciated.

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    18 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ifshin Violins

    Review Highlights - Ifshin Violins

    “They have high quality (Jay Haide) rentals, take care in measuring, and even allow long distance rentals.”

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Forrests Music

    Forrests Music

    (23 reviews)

    $$

    Downtown Berkeley

    It's about time I write a review for Forrests!…read more After years of buying sub-par student oboe reeds from the neighborhood music store I started buying professionally made reeds. For a few years I was ordering online from a conservatory musician who had great reeds but was unreliable with delivery dates -- the last straw was a missed delivery before an important gig. So I drove out to Forrests to see if they could help. I've been going to Forrests since for the last 3 years and EVERYone at Forrests is so knowledgeable and so helpful! Justin usually helps me and he definitely goes above-and-beyond to adjust my reeds and make sure I'm taking care of. But, really, EVERYONE here has been so great to me and it's such a joy to go in! My husband is a classical guitarist and he loves going with me because, even though they are mostly a double-reed shop, it's a great little music shop with a community of musicians and it's always a fantastic experience! Thanks, Forrests!

    Very poor customer service experience as a first time customer!…read more I was told to buy a specific reed that I guess only this store sells. I am not local to this store so I reached out to them via email because I had questions regarding the item. Unfortunately, even after patiently waiting for a week I never got any response! If they are so busy and/or don't care about the emails then why they even have that option available to the customers? I called them during their business hours and finally had a luck on the second time. Phone was picked up by what sounded like an old, Caucasian, male. It also sounded like he was the owner and/or manager. From the beginning this person was not welcoming! He was rude, unfriendly and unprofessional for no reasons! Clearly I felt like he doesn't care about the customers or getting any new businesses. Even if I was asking dumb questions because I am new, does it mean he can be sarcastic, frustrated, and shows attitude? I really didn't want to give them any business after my phone interaction, but since I had to get a specific reed and had no other options available, I just reluctantly continued with the transactions. I also noticed that they charge heavy shipping fees and don't have any free shipping option regardless of the purchase amount like other competitors provides. I really wish I don't have to deal with them again. If I do, I hope this male have learned what a customer service is and how it should be provided.

    Silly Strings Guitar Services - Lounge with drinks for sale

    Silly Strings Guitar Services

    (11 reviews)

    What can I say, I fell in love with this place the first moment I walked through the door. Sarina,…read moreBilly, and KK are some of the most down to earth folks you'll meet. They are not there to coerce you into parting with your hard earned remuneration; they are there simply to brighten your day. Should you ultimately decide you are there to purchase an instrument or piece of equipment, they will guide and advise you accordingly in making the ideal choice, based on YOUR needs, not theirs. The layout of this shop is systematized in such a manner that is easy on the eyes, a ubiquitous immaculacy, rarely found in a guitar shop. A complimentary coffee bar and hangout nook is such a welcome and beguiling feature. It's not difficult to imagine spending more time in this shop than one has budgeted for; and that's the point, you'll never feel anything but welcome to lounge about, test out some amazing gear, and enjoy all the store and its owners have to offer... Speaking of the owners, Billy's proficient skill with guitar repair has left me in awe. The first two guitars (Ibanez and Fender) I brought in were in need of some serious love. When I picked them up, I plugged them in and found they played better than what I had first purchased them or at any point after. The level of skill and care applied is immeasurable. He treats every instrument as if it were his own. This shop and its owners are a true treasure and a most welcome addition to the town of Petaluma. Do yourself a favor and stop by, you won't regret it. \m/

    What a great shop! Beautiful guitars on display among some of the friendliest folks in all of…read morePetaluma. Very knowledgeable staff and all sorts of supplies on hand for your guitar needs plus coffee! Great location and plenty of parking! Beautiful store inside and out!

    Ifshin Violins - musicinstrumentservices - Updated September 2026

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