Berkeley Parents Network: Where to Buy/Rent Stringed Instruments

Berkeley Parents Network

Where to Buy/Rent Stringed Instruments

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > What/Where to Buy > Where to Buy/Rent Stringed Instruments

Where to buy a cello
Where to Buy or Rent a Violin
Where to buy a half-sized violin
Violin Lessons
Cello Lessons

Where to buy a cello

December 2001

I am looking for a cello for a 9 yr. old. Any suggestions old or new welcomed. Thank you diana

Whether or not to buy a cello for a nine year old depends on many factors. How serious a player is your child and for how long have they been playing? What size cello are you looking for? Do you plan to trade the cello in for a larger size when your child outgrows it or will you be reselling it yourself? What is your budget? Decent small size cellos, the maker called Jay Haide, can be rented from Ifshin's in Berkeley for $50 per month. They have cheaper, lesser quality cellos for rent as well. To buy, a good quality small sized cello will cost from $2,000 to $3,000 (or more). Joan Balter, a private studio in Berkeley, 524-4333 has a good collection. Kamimoto String Instruments in San Jose is a good source, 408 298-8168, and Roland Feller in San Francisco, 415 567-3708.

Sometimes, as in our case, a Master teacher will have fine cellos to lend to students. It is very difficult to find good small cellos, easy to find mediocre ones. There is not much of a re-sale market for cellos smaller than 3/4. Lucy

And now a response to the where-to-buy-a-cello request: Try Ifshin violins on University Ave. in Berkeley. Jane

We rent our cello from Ifshin Violins at 1633 University Avenue. They outgrow cellos so quickly, even though it's costly, it seemed less costly than buying. Also, if you rent, Ifshin will take care of any problems (buzzing strings, slipped bridge, change strings when needed, etc). They also sell cellos, if you really want to buy.

For rentals (if Ifshin doesn't have the right size at the moment), you could also try Aeril Whitback, who runs "The Cello Orphanage" in Danville, at (925) 837-3814. She repairs damaged cellos and generally rents them out, although sometimes sells them as well.

There is also a catalogue company, Shar Music, that has reasonable priced cellos (relatively, the least expensive begin a bit below $1000 and go up from there). They have a web site, http://www.sharmusic.net/home.htm. Cynthia Kroll

How wonderful your child is taking up the cello. I have a nine year old son who has been playing for a year now. Perhaps even more important than where you buy, is that you get assistance from your cello teacher. I do recommend Ifshin on University Ave. in Berkeley, and they are knowledgeable, helpful, wonderful. Ideally, meet your cello teacher there and he/she can help you through the process, choosing the right instrument for your child. Ifshin does rent, but we purchased an older cello, which Henry has now almost outgrown. Ifshin has an excellent buy back program when you trade up to a larger instrument. Hope this helps Nuckypuff

Where to Buy or Rent a Violin

A really good resource you'll want to know about is Ifshin Violins (1633 University Ave., (510) 843-5486). In addition to renting and repairing string instruments, they can provide you an extensive listing of teachers in the area, iincluding their specialies (classical, fiddle, etc.) ages taught, and methods. They, too, have their own web site: http://www.ifshinviolins.com/

From: Becky

My daughter played viola for a few years and we really enjoyed the atmosphere at Ifshin Violins at 1633 University Avenue. They give lessons there, and I'm sure they could recommend some "at home" instructors. There's another place at 2035 University called Berkeley Violin Center, but I know nothing about them.

Consider Ifshin Violins at 1633 University Avenue (between Jefferson and McGee). Phone 843-5466. Also has a rental business upstairs - phone 843-5486. We purchased a "Jaye-Hayde" violin for my sixth grader there for $1000 + after he spent a year on a $100 violin from an ordinary music store and showed some talent. He loves the better violin: so much easier to play. For us uneducated folks, violins all seem to look alike, but not so! We're currently renting a good-quality viola for my fifth-grade daughter. --Bonnie

Where to Buy a Half-sized violin

Feb. 2003

My daughter has outgrown her 1/4 size violin and we are now looking to buy a 1/2 size violin. Do you have one in decent condition you would like to sell or can you recommend a good place to find one? Thomas

I'd talk to Ifshin Violins on University Ave. in Berkeley. They sell a line, Jay Haide, that all of our teachers thought sounded very good for the price. They are a model of probity, and a pleasure to deal with.

You may want to consider renting, instead of buying, especially if you have no younger child to inherit an outgrown instrument. Ifshin rents, too. I believe Ifshin will credit 6 months of your rental payments toward the purchase price of a fiddle should you decide to buy the one you are renting, as we did. Some rental fiddles, though, they simply refuse to sell, no mattered how enamored the would-be buyer! sreilly

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