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VisickStudio Slack - Studio Calendar - Library - Handouts - Links - Local Luthiers (Violinmakers in the Greater L.A. area)
A Luthier (or Violinmaker) makes, repairs, and maintains string instruments. All of the following are reputable shops which are either owned by or which employ trained luthiers. Call before you go to find out their hours (which are not necessarily like normal shops) and to let them know what you are coming in for.
You will need the appropriate size instrument for you or your child. In general, the left elbow should bend at about a 90-degree angle when the student is playing in first position. If you seem "in between" sizes, go for the smaller one. If you are not sure about how to size an instrument, let me know and I can help! Please do not buy too big thinking that you can "grow into" it. Music students work hard with small muscles, and, like athletes, are more susceptible to injury when using the wrong size equipment!
You will need the appropriate size instrument for you or your child. In general, the left elbow should bend at about a 90-degree angle when the student is playing in first position. If you seem "in between" sizes, go for the smaller one. If you are not sure about how to size an instrument, let me know and I can help! Please do not buy too big thinking that you can "grow into" it. Music students work hard with small muscles, and, like athletes, are more susceptible to injury when using the wrong size equipment!
J. Brown, Violinmaker 232 1/2 N. Indian Hill Blvd Claremont, CA, 91711 |
Jim made the viola I currently use. He also sells some method books and other music paraphernalia. Friendly, talkative, and has a heart for music education and for injury prevention in musicians. Call ahead to let them know you're coming in. (P.S. The owners keep friendly cats - who are always willing to purr for visitors who scratch their ears - in this store.) |
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Morey's Music 4834 Woodruff, Lakewood, CA, 90713 |
Combination violin maker, sheet music store, also services and sells wind instruments, percussion accessories, etc. Well established; nice showrooms; good (possibly the best) trade-in policy; quality instruments. |
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Thomas Metzler Violin Shop 604 S. Central Ave., Glendale, CA, 91204 |
I bought my first viola from Metzler's. A well-established shop with a good sheet music selection in addition to a good selection of instruments and accessories. I always enjoy a good browse through their sheet music collection and knick-knacks when I'm there. Tends towards being a bit higher-priced than some other options (but not always). |
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Callier-Scollard Violin Shop 50 E. Green St. Pasadena, CA, |
Somewhat grumpy but does good work and is probably the closest (if you live near me) and possibly the least expensive in the area for bow re-hairs or repairs. This is a small workshop (no sheet music here) inside the Green Street Hotel (you'll have to buzz in at the hotel door), that looks like it's not been dusted for ages. If you go here, schedule some extra time to check out Canterbury Records just a few blocks away. |
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Hans and Eric Benning, Studio City Music, Inc. 11336 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA, 91604 |
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Robert Cauer 2242 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90068 |
Cauer's requires an appointment, no walk-ins - please call ahead. |
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Hans Weisshaar, Inc. 936 Huntington Drive, Suite E, San Marino, CA 91108 |
Value |
Online dealers
For purchasing an instrument, I recommend using one of the local dealers/shops listed above, but often new strings are less expensive (and other supplies are more convenient) to order online.
SHAR
www.sharmusic.com - You can get a decent instrument from Shar (though I don't recommend their very lowest priced model), as well as many other different supplies such as chinrests, rosin, cases, music stands, sheet music, etc. The people at Shar will set up the instruments that you get from them, but they are not luthiers/instrument makers.
Stringworks
www.stringworks.com - Specializes in instruments, both renting and selling. They do have luthiers/instrument makers that they work with directly.
Southwest Strings
www.swstrings.com - Similar to Shar in the range of what they sell.
Young Musicians
www.young-musicians.com
Concord Music
concordmusic.com - Sometimes has the best prices for strings.
GoStrings.com
www.gostrings.com - Sometimes has the best prices for strings; also sells many common "sets" of strings (such as a larsen or jargar for the highest string matched with different brands for the lower strings) for a lower price than purchasing "a la carte" to make up these sets. Also has a few other accessories/sheet music available.
SHAR
www.sharmusic.com - You can get a decent instrument from Shar (though I don't recommend their very lowest priced model), as well as many other different supplies such as chinrests, rosin, cases, music stands, sheet music, etc. The people at Shar will set up the instruments that you get from them, but they are not luthiers/instrument makers.
Stringworks
www.stringworks.com - Specializes in instruments, both renting and selling. They do have luthiers/instrument makers that they work with directly.
Southwest Strings
www.swstrings.com - Similar to Shar in the range of what they sell.
Young Musicians
www.young-musicians.com
Concord Music
concordmusic.com - Sometimes has the best prices for strings.
GoStrings.com
www.gostrings.com - Sometimes has the best prices for strings; also sells many common "sets" of strings (such as a larsen or jargar for the highest string matched with different brands for the lower strings) for a lower price than purchasing "a la carte" to make up these sets. Also has a few other accessories/sheet music available.
Please Don't...
- ... Don't purchase an instrument without bringing it to your teacher for evaluation first (unless you are a professional string musician and you know what you're looking for. Beware the VSO.) It is common practice for reputable dealers, makers, and private sellers to allow you to "check out" the instrument for at least a week (or more), and bring it to your teachers for inspection, before you actually pay for it. If anyone pressures you to buy it "now", don't fall for it!*
- ... Don't buy a cheap instrument (for example, on eBay, or at Target) and expect that it will be a good deal. While there may be good instruments on eBay, there is also plenty of expensive firewood masquerading as musical instruments (Beware the VSO). Anywhere that you can't try before you buy is a gamble with the odds against you!
- ... Don't go to a shop that specializes in some other kind of instrument, like woodwinds, percussion, or guitars, and expect to find quality bowed string instruments (Beware the VSO).
- ... Don't buy an instrument that's too big for your child and expect me to allow your child to play it when you bring it to lessons: using the wrong size equipment can cause injury.
*The reputable violin shop will, however, want your credit card number but they won't charge it if you return the instrument without damage and within the time frame allotted (usually 1 week).
