Bischofberger Violins

I went into the store looking to sell my violin. The girl who helped me was very nice and explained the process and that the owner would need to look at it first. I left the violin and came back a couple hours later. They said they were not interested in purchasing the violin, but they had went so far as to put new strings on it to test the sound quality. They told me what it needed for repairs and an approximate as is value. When I told them I was just going to try and sell it on my own, they put the old strings back on and thanked me for visiting their store. No charge. This was some of the best customer service I have ever had. I would highly recommend them.

Bischofberger has won me over! Everything about this store is great. The employees are very helpful, they have an outstanding selection on instruments and the place oozes good vibes. I’m a beginning violinist and I’m about to purchase my first violin there. I really appreciated how they let me take my time selecting a violin so I could be sure that it was the perfect one for me.
You just can’t help liking Bischofberger, so do yourself a favor and go check it out!

Went in to rent a violin for my 6 year old. The woman (can’t remember her name) was SO helpful and warm. She gave us a tour of the whole shop, we met the violin maker himself, and left with a beautiful –and rented– first violin. When my son is ready to own his own, we will definitely purchase it there. What a nice resource to have here in seattle.

As a boy who grew up playing bluegrass fiddle in the Ozark Mountains of Southern Missouri, believe me when I say that I trust very few people to care for my fiddle.
After reading reviews online I settled on this place with the impossibly hard-​to-​pronounce name, one that would have me giggling were I in middle school. Okay I admit it, I still giggled when I tried to say it out loud. But I went in for a broken peg, and came out a happy customer. Ramona, the one who did the repair, did it same-​day and with such a friendly attitude, I’m not sure I’ll be able to consider anywhere else for my future violin/​fiddle-​related purchases.
Tip: Park in the QFC parking lot across the street — just don’t stay in the store long enough to have your tires time-​stamped!
Do yourself a favor and stop in here, even for just rosin or a new set of strings. It’s like stepping back in time.

I like this place so much, I wish I could just bring coffee and hang out.
I have rented twice with them, once for myself and once for my daughter. They were absolutely wonderful with my daughter. The rental instruments are in excellent condition with quite a decent tone. I find the rates to be very reasonable.
I also purchased an instrument from them for myself. They were so helpful, no pressure, with such an excellent space to practice in. They helped me pick out a few rosins to try and have been great at giving string advice.
Customer service — check! Excellent acoustics — check! Great quality and reasonable prices — check!
So far, I have needed no major repairs (knock on maple) but when I do this will be my first choice as well.

I remember the wonder as a kid buying his first violin. After a couple of years of squeeky, awkward, scratch on blackboard violin RENTALS, I was ready for my own instrument. And of course, it was these RENTALS that were so horrible, with a LOG of a bow strung with FAKE nylon horsehair that was the reason why that violin sounded more like a cat in heat, than real music. Certainly, it was the RENTAL — NOT me! Once I got my own instrument, I sounded like an ANGEL, sure I did!
I went through several instruments in my «career» playing violin, and while I think it took me about 5 years to pronounce his name right, Bischofberger always came through with both buying and upkeep needs.
However, there’s a handful of choices in town, and those that I’ve heard about have pretty bomb street cred, such as Olsen Violins (very good work and maybe a bit cheaper that the big «B»), and Lasley and Russ in Ballard (can’t vouch for personally, but heard good things).
But this place is still kind of the first place that comes to mind for me – call me sentimental. I didn’t learn how to pronounce his name for nothing!
Nowadays, I wouldn’t go here to buy something like strings (MUCH cheaper on the internet, if you know what you need). But if you are sort of new starting out, or need a refresher, or to «tune up» your instrument, this is a great choice to get expert, reliable advice. I always had good work done here.
Also, if you are in the market to buy a new instrument, or a bow (YES! This is JUST as important for your playing — don’t skimp on this one with a stick you might as well pick up from your driveway after a windstorm!), this is a good place to start. Personally, I’d recommend shopping around at the other shops, too, to insure you’re getting a good deal for what you are getting instrument/​bow-​wise. It is an important decision, and it pays to do your research, plus the tactile sensory experience of actually playing different instruments, and bows, is not only fun, but an important way to find a match for you. It’s a lot like dating — it might take a few tries before you settle down with the «one», ya know?
Anyway, Bischofbergers’ (Bish-​uf-​burg-​urs) is a great place to start.
PROS: Experts in their field. Trustworthy. Reliably good work. Fun shop to visit!
CONS: Can be a bit pricier than others, so it could be useful to shop around — an instrument is such a personal thing, it’s a good idea anyway.

Jacqui was amazing and gave me the best service I have had in this part of town. She was extremely helpful and made me feel at ease and not at all uncomfortable about the fact that I couldn’t afford to get anything other than the cheapest strings and bow in the shop. I will definitely buy my violin here when I make some $$$.

I love this place, and if you’re an orchestra nerd so will you.
Great instruments on loan (violins, violas, cellos, upright bass) — I’ve rented several violins from them. Where rentals are concerned, they have a great sound, great bows, and a great case too. Good price!
This is not a place for guitars or such things.
They sell all varieties of rosin, chin rests, mutes, strings and such. They do repairs, and I think they make their own instruments too. A real local treasure of a shop.
They even keep a binder of all the local music teachers and are able to make recommendations.
Above all, they have a beautiful space — two floors in an old house in a lovely part of Capitol Hill (rumor has it the house was a bordello at the turn of the century).
You are free and encouraged to try out instruments before you rent or buy in the private playing room upstairs. You can take your time, relax and try to remember that 6^th position trick. Though I’ve never taken advantage of it, you’re able to apply 9 months (I think? check with them) of your rental fees to any instrument purchase.
I love this business. And they clearly love what they do.

I brought my violin bow in to get rehaired, and they did a great job. They answered my repair questions frankly and never pushed services on me.
I didn’t rent any instruments, but they had a huge selection.

This is really a specialty shop, and so for those looking for common musical items really should avoid — but for an avid fan or musician for violins/​violas [and a few other string instruments] this would definitly be the place to go. They have great rentals as well as they can repair most damaged pieces or even tuning/​cleaning.

A beautiful violin shop on the top of Capitol Hill.
While the shop seems to always be busy with repairs, I know it for it’s reputation for quality instrument rentals.
Violins, violas and cellos of all sizes are on display, and you’re welcome to try them all out.
Rather eccentric staff.