I had been planning on getting a new guitar and researching for a couple months trying to find a high quality instrument that fit my criteria. I learned a lot about the current quality problems with some of the major brands and after much back and forth narrowed the search down to Taylor and Furch. I had also heard of some of the horror stories about the large nationwide retailers. A friend of mine who had made purchases there before suggested Steilberg Stringed Instruments. He took me there and introduced me to Jim Steilberg the owner. Jim and his staff were some of the nicest people you would ever meet. Jim was a fountain of knowledge was answering the questions I had before I could even ask them. I never felt rushed or pressured and he wanted me to try many different models to ensure that I found what was right for me. All the display models are meticulously maintained and Jim even asked that we wash our hands before playing them to avoid skin and oil contamination. The store has several humidifiers that maintain the proper humidity level necessary for fine instruments. The Furch Yellow GC deluxe that I decided on was absolutely beautiful. Just looking at it, you know it is quality through and through. The sound was remarkable being well defined without being overly bright throughout its register just as Sitka Spruce and Rosewood should be. I knew that was the one when I heard it. Jim also adjusted the action to make sure it was just right for me before going home with it. Great people, great service and great instruments plus a locally owned shop that cares about its customers. I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend. read more

These people are absolutely the worst I've ever encountered. Please read this review and look at the details and attached picture before deciding on doing business here. As you can see from the receipt, the date the bass was dropped off was 9/8/20. After almost two months of following up with this apathetic junk peddler, they got around to do something (albeit not the service they committed to providing in one weeks time). So as you can see from the write up on the receipt, I took this instrument in to have it repaired and they did not fix the pick up nor provide adequate results on the items they did "say" that they performed. This place is a joke and please consider Moms Music or any of the luthiers you' can find on Craigslist because I essentially paid $42 to not have my instrument for a month and a half. Absolutely amazing that places like this can stay in business. read more

Steilberg String Instruments - Receipt from the time I let these morons keep my instrument for a month without actually performing the services they committed to. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Had a great experience with Steilberg! I visited one evening in October, '23 looking for a clawhammer banjo. The gentleman in the store (Neil, I think) took down about eight different instruments for me to try, tuning up each one and providing advice. When I told him I would come back in the morning there was no disappointment or pressure to close a deal. And when I did come back in the morning, the owner had the very same approach: he offered me several instruments to try, and then backed off to let me make a decision. Very helpful answering questions, and absolutely no judgment or eye-rolling about my very limited banjo skills/knowledge. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone, whether you're buying or just want to chat about string music. I'll be back! read more

I have no clue why the previous ratings are so low. The workers are the kindest people I have ever met and they care about their instruments and patrons while making sure they ask enough questions to find the right one for you. The pieces they sell are always top notch and perfect. The workers are always hospitable and make you feel at home unlike big name music stores. Every time I go into Steilberg, it's always a delightful experience. read more

I'm so glad I've finally found an instrument store in Louisville that caters to professional musicians! I visited about a week ago looking for a nice cello to replace my current one. While I've not gotten to try one yet, I was just thankful that they had higher quality instruments than the other stores in Louisville I've been to. The staff was extremely helpful, even if they didn't carry everything I wanted they were happy to help me with any questions I had. That being said, I think it'd be great if they'd stock up on some nice sheet music for advanced cellists. I can see why they might not though, I'm not sure of the current demand for cello sheet music. I'm honestly just glad they carried high quality rosin though, because I've been to Doo Wop, Miles Ahead, and Music go Round and none of them do. Overall a great little store with super nice people working there, give them a shot before heading out to the other places in Louisville and I don't think you'll be disappointed. read more

My daughter is about to start her second set of violin lessons at Steilberg and she absolutely loves it. She received her first violin as a Christmas gift and it was purchased from Steilburg String Instruments, I know nothing about violins and the guys working there were extremely helpful in showing me all about my daughter's new violin. I greatly appreciated their knowledgeable help. I love to frequent small businesses and I am glad they are still in Louisville to service all of our musical instrument needs! read more

I have done business with this group for many years. As a result I have purchased several instruments and taken music lessons. There is no place like this anywhere near Louisville and I believe it is a rare treasure in these days of everything being online. I personally love their extra attention to detail, the willingness to tell me more than I could possibly remember about each instrument, the protective nature of the staff for the instruments, and their devotion to the stringed instrument community. Perfect? Heck no! And I wouldn't want them to be. read more

I bought a custom Hofner guitar and an amp from these guys and I tried to return them because I was scared to break the guitar when I rested my arm on it it was about to break, well I wanted a guitar that I wasn't scared to play. I talked to the cashier when I purchased and he assured me I could bring them back if there was a problem, but when I brought them back with a receipt, the manager told me I couldn't. I was out over $1,000 for this stuff. They are overpriced and I wouldn't suggest them to anyone. read more

Rude owner, overpriced. I went to this place with a friend, they were having a performance of some musicians. I asked the owner a question and he comes back with, 'They have this thing called the internet.' Very rude and unprofessional. He spoke before the performance and used the words, 'virtuoso, virtuosity,' a lot. I get the impression that he feels there are distinct classes of people and that only some are welcome in his establishment. This might explain why he overprices his product as well. read more

I hate this place. It has been years since i set foot in there cause you cant browse without both of the sale people standing on your heels and asking you a question or offering unsolicited advice every ten seconds but i felt i needed to grit my teeth this once. I was finally in the market to buy a top of the line mandolin (and they are only store in town that carries high end mandolins) and went in, needless to say i was barraged with ten questions within a minute of being there. Anyway i found a mandolin i was interested in, the guy got it down for me, i tried it out and loved it instantly. Before i could return to the counter with it, the other gentlemen stopped me in my path to rudely take the mandolin out of my hands without asking me if i was done with it, as if he couldn't imagine that i could afford that particular mandolin. I was briefly shocked but then felt beyond insulted and decided to leave. As i was walking out he mentioned maybe id be interested in some of the lesser expensive mandolins but I did not turn around as i was leaving. So much for me giving this store another chance. read more

Twice this has happened to me. If you are not going to open at 10:00am just change your opening time on your site. This is very unprofessional to keep potential customers waiting when you say you are going to be open. Even as I was waiting your FedEx driver was waiting but finally decided to leave. Hope this was not somebody's Oder that might be delayed due to your lackadaisical attitude. read more

I went to this place some years back with a friend for a small concert they were having. I couldn't help but notice the proprietor kept watching me. He gave an intro before the music began and immediately I noticed how he affected his speech when he spoke. These people are snobs and it was then I recognized his haughty look. And neither were they friendly, a very rude experience that I would not suggest to anyone. read more