Do you repair instruments that weren’t rented from you?

Yes. We repair all types of instruments, whether or not they came from us, and every job starts the same way: bring it in, and you will have an estimate for cost, time, and parts before any work begins.

The process is deliberately old-fashioned. We look it over with you at the counter and tell you what we think it needs, roughly how long it will take, what it will cost, and whether any parts have to be ordered, all before any work begins. If the estimate suits you, leave it with us. If not, take it home with no hard feelings. We never start work without an agreed estimate.

Behind the counter is what makes the estimate worth having: trained luthiers in-house for string work, technicians for band and brass, more than twenty years of repairs behind us, and for the truly serious restorations, a network of expert restorers we trust enough to send our own instruments to.

We will also be honest when a repair is not worth doing. A vintage saxophone wanting a complete overhaul may be a job for a specialist with more hours than we have. And the fifteen-dollar internet violin often costs several times its price just to make playable. For years we had one nailed to the tree outside the shop, painted green, donated by an owner who heard the estimate and decided it made better landscaping than music. We would rather tell you the truth at the counter than surprise you at pickup.