Music Shops & Accessories

String Instrument Specialty Shops

What to Look For:

• String specialty shops - are stores that only sell violins, violas, cellos and basses. They do not sell band instruments or electronic instruments.

• Repairs should be done by a trained luthier or violin maker. 

• Before purchasing an instrument, consult your private teacher. If you don't have a private teacher, get one before purchasing an instrument. 

Recommended String Shops (In-Person)

• Alex Bacelar String Instruments - Martinsville, NJ - 732-560-1033

• Finlay & Gage - Maplewood, NJ - 212-274-1322

• Main Violin - Fort Lee, NJ - 201-947-2727

• Princeton Violins, LLC - Princeton, NJ - 609-683-0005

• The Violin Doctor, Inc. - Sea Girt & Monmouth Junction, NJ - 732-223-3669

• Wamsley Violins - Haddonfield, NJ 08033 - 856-795-4001
  
  

Recommended Online String Shops

Shar Music - 1-800-248-7427

Southwest Strings - 1-800-528-3430

Whatch These Videos Before Purchasing an Instrument

• TwoSet Violin - "We tried the Cheapest (and Most Useless) Violins on Amazon"

• TwoSet Violin - "Exposing Dark Secrets of the Violin Industry"

• Rob Landes - "I Bought the Cheapest Violins on the Planet (Do They work?)"

We Do Not Recommend These Brands

• Brands: Cecilio, Yamaha, Mendini, ADM, Bunnel, Artall, Cremona, Vangoa, Costzon, Antonio Giuliani

• Sites: Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Wish, Alibaba

• Bows: Avoid wooden bows unless over $1,000 (e.g., Pernambuco)

Recommended Bows

• Violin: $51.65

• Viola: $54.95

• Cello: $65.95

• Bass: $87.95

Recommended Instruments

Intermediate Level Violin & Violas

• Shar Violins

• Shar Violas  - Make sure to buy a viola that fits your size. If you're not sure which size to choose, it's better to go smaller so you can play comfortably.

Cello & Bass Recommendations

• VandeKopple Basses

• JD Hill Muisc

• Lemur Music

• Bob Gollhur

• Upton

Recommend Strings

• Beginner Violin/Viola: D’Addario Prelude

• Intermediate/Advanced Violin/Viola: Dominant, Obligato, etc.

• Beginner Cello: Helicore

• Intermediate/Advanced Cello: Spirocore/Larsen

• Beginner Bass: Helicore

• Intermediate/Advanced Bass: Pirastro (Evah Pirazzi)

Must-Have Acessories

• Tuner App: Tunable

• Metronome: Seiko

• Music Stand

• Shoulder Rest: Kun for Violin & Viola. Kun