Most Popular FAQ

Come to our shop and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will help you choose the right size and fill out a contract - you'll need two credit cards and a driver's license, and the entire process should take 10-15 minutes. If you are not local call us or visit our Rentals page in the menu above to rent online.

Opinions differ; public schools usually start children in 3rd or 4th grade. Many private teachers and schools, especially Suzuki programs, start children around the age of 3. Experts believe most children younger than 3 lack the developmental and motor skills needed to benefit from instrumental instruction. Very young children can participate in “Mommy-and-Me” programs that teach about music without being specifically about playing the an instrument.

Ask your child's teacher what size they prefer, or use the chart below. Measure between the neck by the collarbone and the center of the palm. If in doubt, always choose the smaller size.

Up to 15 1/4" : order 1/16 size violin or cello

15 1/4" up to 16 3/4" : order 1/10 size violin or cello

16 3/4" up to 17 1/2" : order 1/8 size violin or cello

17 1/2" up to 18 3/4" : order 1/4 size violin or cello, 11" viola

18 3/4" up to 20 1/4" : order 1/2 size violin or cello, 12" viola

20 1/4" up to 22 1/8" : order 3/4 size violin or cello, 13" viola

22 1/8" and up : order 4/4 (full-size) violin or cello

23 1/4" up to 24 7/8" : order 14" viola

24 7/8" up to 25 5/8" : order 15" viola

25 7/8" up to 26 3/8" : order 15.5" viola

26 3/8" up to 27 1/8" : order 16" viola

Over 27 1/4" : order 16" or 16.5" viola

You can try, but we strongly recommend you get a teacher for several reasons. Bowed instruments are trickier to start playing than many other popular instruments and an experienced teacher will allow you to make rapid progress without learning bad habits. There are many excellent resources for learning the violin but no book, dvd, or YouTube video can take the place of a live person who can observe you and your particular individual needs. A good teacher knows where you are and where you need to go. To help you find a teacher we offer lessons at our store and also free lists of private teachers in your area.

In most cases, your teacher will want to help you in the approval of your instrument, even if you're renting. Incidentally, asking for their approval is a polite sign of respect for your teacher.

You are welcome to come here anytime without an appointment, but calling ahead can be useful to schedule you at a less busy time and also allow us to prepare instruments for you.

The violin, viola, and violoncello (cello) are all members of the violin family of instruments and when speaking of all three, it is usual to simply say "violins". Fiddles are really the same instrument. Players who specialize in certain folk styles prefer instruments set-up to make it easy to play those folk styles- usually a different shape to the bridge.

The part of the bow that touches the strings should be the actual hair from the tails of horses. The stick part of the bow is either made of wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber.

You are always welcome to visit us and try instruments out with no obligation or pressure to buy. We even have tryout rooms where you can play in private. Plus our knowledgeable staff is at your disposal to assist you and answer questions. We can also ship them to you for home tryouts.

We can evaluate violins, violas, and cellos for their market value, which may not reflect your sentimental value in a family treasure. All other instruments are outside our field of expertise, and we suggest you contact the closest museum that has a collection of musical instruments or a reputable dealer in that instrument.

Unless we have an instrument in our hands we cannot say. The labels inside instruments are easily inserted after the instrument is completed and are not significant for establishing the maker or market value. We do not charge to look at photographs or instruments in person. If you want a verbal opinion and consultation (how old is it, where is it from, how much is it worth, etc), or a written appraisal (which you will need to insure the instrument) there is a charge. Written appraisals do not establish authenticity and are not valid or necessary to sell an instrument.

To send us electronic photos we can use, please follow these suggestions. Photograph your instrument in front of a light-colored gray or neutral (not black) background. To avoid reflections on the shiny surface use several small lights rather than a flash. Shoot 640 x 480 pixel VGA images and send them in a JPEG format no bigger than 400KB. Shoot the full back and full front of the instrument. Take separate pictures of the scroll from all sides, the corners of the back, the left soundhole, and any other unusual features. Photos of the case and its contents may be of interest. We will let you know if we will need to see the instrument.

Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) was one of the greatest violin makers who ever lived. He made about 2,000 instruments of which roughly 600 still exist. In his lifetime he sold instruments to royalty and the rich, and few Strads today are not well documented.  Because of his fame, his designs were widely copied and many have little or no value, just like an inexpensive print of the Mona Lisa or any other great work of art.

Since the 1850's, instrument factories all over the world have produced millions and millions of cheap copies with labels that read something like "Antonius Stradiuarius, Cremonenfis Faciebat Anno 1721".  The chance that you have a genuine Stradivari, while not impossible, is very, very remote. The same holds true for other great masters of violin making such as Giuseppe Guarneri, J.B. Guadagnini, Nicolo Amati, Jacob Stainer, and others. While photographs may be of interest, an instrument must be in our hands for us to give an opinion.