We were on a tight schedule visiting NYC and in need of a rental cello while we were there. They…read morecontacted me the morning after I made the request online, and happily set up the drop-off and pick-up to meet my schedule. They were friendly, courteous, and delivered as promised. We couldn't have been happier with the experience.

We hired a couple of violins for a group of young musicians who were visiting New York from the UK…read more Initial contact/confirmation by email was not forthcoming, but for everything else, it was faultless. Superb value for money and great service from Ray. Would certainly use them again.

Rental Instrument was an absolute pleasure to work with - our violin rental was seamless from the…read morefirst inquiry, as Jen was easy and responsive to communicate with. Cannot recommend enough!

The entire staff at Rental Instrument was a pleasure to work with. We rented instruments for a…read moreschool band that was playing at the Carnegie Hall Music Festival. Rental Instrument was able to help us out quickly, very close to our event date, even with some last-minute changes. They were thorough, detail oriented, made sure we had support if any instrument needed a repair or service, included the little things like extra reeds or a string. They coordinated delivery and pickup and helped make sure we knew exactly how the process would go. Everything went smoothly and we couldn't be happier with their service. Thanks Rental Instrument for helping us make music possible for these kids. President, Woodinville High School Music Boosters.

they want $60 just to give you an estimate. I've never been to another shop that does that. it's…read moreso disrespectful to musicians. find some place that doesn't try to fleece you

Very grateful to Bela at Finlay + Gage for replacing a bridge on my daughter's violin same day so…read moreshe could take the stage at Carnegie Hall two days later! Hero

Bruno has been a great help in my quest to find a cello. He really analyzes all the factors…read more involved and applies his extensive knowledge and experience to come up with solid recommendations that are focused on your individual situation. I highly recommend Rare Violins of New York!

I visited Rare Violins of New York on my most recent trip to NY. The store is kind of hidden in a…read morebuilding located close to Carnegie Hall and Central Park. I called ahead to make an appointment to try out a few violins. The employee, Alexis, was more than helpful. Upon arriving, I was met by the glorious sound of another violinist playing Paganini's 5th Caprice. The store is cozy and their windows overlooked the streets on one side. I tried out 3 violins and was instantly drawn to one of them, which had a very solo-istic sound. I was given an hour to try them out. The violins were around 15k. In the future, if I decide to upgrade my violin, I'll be sure to revisit this shop.

I had a great experience with the service on my old violin. Peter and Frank did an outstanding…read morejob--they reset the neck, adjusted the fingerboard and bridge to the proper height, and replaced the sound post. The instrument is now in excellent condition, and the improvement in sound is unbelievable. Highly professional work and attention to detail. I highly recommend them!

Mr. Lam made a bridge for my fine quality cello and it's never sounded better. The work was done…read morequickly and the price reasonable. As a professional player, I'm delighted to have found Peter and as an added plus, he's in Queens so I don't have to shlep into Manhattan and pay Manhattan prices.

Norio did an amazing job with my guitar's setup. He's really an expert. I'll come back for sure!read more

When Grit Laskin, the luthier in Toronto, recommended Imai Guitars, I knew I was in good hands…read more It's like my little stage accident never happened! Be careful out there. It can be a cruel world.

Really wonderful shop in Tribeca. My daughter just started lessons and they were able to rent us a…read morebeautiful 1/8 violin. A few weeks later she dropped it (eeek) and they replaced it the very same day under the damage waiver. Everyone there is really kind and responsive. So glad it's in the neighborhood!

If I could give this shop 10 stars, I would…read more After another five years and a shitload of road, it was time for some more TLC for my Sadowsky bass, named (gasp!) Leopold!! (search youtube for bugs bunny leopold - that's how I felt when I first opened the case the day I got this baby). So I packed him up and shipped him off to New York. I enclosed very specific and detailed instructions in the case, regarding the nut, the strings, the frets, electronics, pickups, case, cleaning (as in don't clean it) - everything. It was long. And specific. I just got (gasp!) Leopold!! back a couple days ago, and good goddamn, everything, I mean *everything* was fucking absolutely perfect and complete. Most important was the fretwork. Nobody does fretwork like Roger and his crew. Flawless crowning. Utterly level. There's a machine a lot of places use called a PLEK. It's machine-accurate, but it's not even close to the fine handwork done at the House of Sadowsky. Did I just refer to his shop as a "House?" Yep. Sadowsky's fretwork is fucking transcendent. And the action - I have some really great guys do my minor maintenance like setups, but the setup this thing came back with is just beyond. Super fast, super in-tune, clean, quiet. Goddamn, it's just perfect. Last: About that list I enclosed with the bass. I had probably 9 or 10 points on it. Every single one was addressed, exactly, flawlessly. Specific strings installed? Check. Spare set of the same strings enclosed in the case? Check. Go through the electronics and put everything into first class running condition (I forgot to tell him the battery was getting low, too). Check. Including replacing the battery I forgot to tell him was low. Oh-by-the-way-send-me-a-new-gig-bag? Done. There was not one goddamned thing I needed to call him for. Nothing. Perfect. I was almost disappointed, lol! If I had to deduct one star, and make it only 9 stars, it would be that the House of Sadowsky only works on Sadowsky guitars. Look, I understand. His production is maxed, his repair bench mobbed. But dang, if I could have him breathe on my '68 Paisley Telecaster bass... I'd probably croak and go to heaven. But repairs are limited to Sadowsky instruments. If you own one, bite the shipping bullet and send it to him every five years or so. You'll be glad you did! Now, who am I to write this long-ass review and update? All kinds of big names play his stuff. Well, I'm not one of them. You don't know me because I'm not famous. I'm just a working pro for 30 years or so, the guy you might see on stage behind some young singer/songwriter, or who you might hear playing bass in some TV show or commercial. Or at some shitty bar out in Ventura (whatever pays the bills!). But oddly enough, as "big time" as Roger Sadowsky has become, he still understands and caters to the working pro musician. I got taken care of as well as, say, Walter Becker from Steely Dan would have. I know this, because it is simply not possible to take better care of somebody than I just experienced. Again! I've had a working relationship with Sadowsky Guitars for 17 years now, and if anything, it's only got better. Highest Recommendation. He has no equal.

I have 2 Sadowsky basses and one on the way. I've tried many basses over the years...none compare…read more Roger responded to my questions in very short time. They ask all the right questions to deliver the instrument you want that's built for a lifetime. So many bass 'builders' compare themselves to "Sadowsky". I've tried a few...not close.