Ifshin Violins - El Cerrito, California

JM L.

This shop has many selections of Violins and Cello instruments. This building is also well designed with warm and cozy rooms for you to try out the instruments. The service is good and professional.

gawags

I was looking for a new violin setup and stopped in Ifshin. I received a very warm welcome. Considering I'm rather larger and wearing jeans with my least favorite t-shirt, I was pleasantly surprised they didn't run me out of the store. I told the ladies at the counter what I had in mind and my budget. They took me to a room showed 5 violins and half dozen sticks. It didn't take me long to find what I was after. The lady that was helping me even played the violin and stick combos that I was interested in buying. This was extremely helpful and made it easier for me to process what I was hearing. I am very pleased with the results and with a few tweaks this will be a very fine fiddle.

Etienne M.

Beautiful store! They took the time to help me and took a look at my violins on a busy Saturday. Always friendly and helpful!

indra M.

Good place to rent or purchase, they explain clearly. But a reminder please do take appointments! Good for orchestra instruments. Well organized

Lydia B.

Staff obviously love and respect instruments and convey that to customers. Even beginners (like us) were treated with dignity and given careful instructions and encouragement with the express hope that we would be continuing to play music for years to come.

All of our questions were answered, and then some. Highly recommend. This is not like the rental places I visited as a middle school band member.

One word of caution-- this is a popular place, esp. around the beginning of the school year, and on weekends. Allow plenty of time, be prepared to wait, and don't come just before closing.

Rose M.

I am sad to say that my bad experience at Ifshin came as no surprise to my daughter's cello teacher, the rental company I am now using to rent my daughter's Cello, as well as my son's Bass teacher AND the dealer from whom I bought his bass! They all said that they know from other students and families that Ifshin tricks people with their rental agreements. One even said "I don't know how they stay in business!" And seeing all the positive reviews here, I wonder too. I rented both a bass and a cello from Ifshin for over a year, and then wanted to use my equity to purchase a Bass for my son from them. The response from Ifshin was suddenly very blunt. They told me they don't have a Bass to sell me, and it's not worth their while to order one to sell me. The guy even said 'We don't really sell them, we just get them in for rentals.' SO what was all that when I first signed the contract where they said I would be able to buy a Bass from them at a later time and that the rental money creates equity I am able to put toward the purchase if I rent for more than a year? Ifshin, If you are never going to sell me a Bass because it's not worth it to you to order one to sell me, then why lie to me? I feel completely scammed out of over $1K that I could have put toward a Bass instead of rental fees. For shame. Thumbs way way down.

Mandy F.

I was in town for a weekend and needed to rent a violin to play for a birthday party, and everyone I worked with was really helpful, friendly, and accommodating! And the violin I rented was great and the music at the party was a success! I would highly recommend this violin shop! Also they have a parking lot, which is always helpful!

Li A.

This is the best string instrument store in Bay Area! Excellent rental service with very pilot and knowledgeable staff (some of them are teachers). Ifshin also has a private parking space so it's super convenient for customers to stop by without worrying about parking.