David Bonsey Fine Violins

New York, United States

4.8

Closed now

16 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 646-463-1792
Website:
www.davidbonseyfineviolins.com
Address:
250 W54th St Ste 601, New York, NY, 10019
Theater District, Midtown West
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
670 ft7th Avenue (B,D,E)
0.2 mi50th Street (1)
0.2 mi57th Street-7th Avenue (N,Q,R)
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Bike Parking
No

Today

Today 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (New York) 01:58 Thursday, 10 July 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Sales, Repair, and Appraisal of String Instruments

Bow Rehairing

Most popular strings at Internet Prices

History

Established in 2000.

Professional Violin Maker since 1984

Meet the Business Owner

David B.

Business Owner

David Bonsey is an award-​winning violin maker, restorer and appraiser and dealer specializing in all string instruments including orchestral strings, guitars and mandolins.

He is a regularly featured appraiser for Antiques Roadshow on PBS Television and served for fourteen years as Director of Fine Musical Instruments at Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers. He was workshop manager for Johnson String Instrument in Boston. He has worked with major public and private clients including museums and individual investors in the acquisition, appraisal and liquidation of their collections. Through his appraisal and repair work, as well as his experience in bringing to auction and private sale instruments by Stradivari, Guarneri, Guadagnini, Ceruti, and many others, he has developed a versatile and comprehensive knowledge of the fine musical instrument market. He is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America and a member of The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.

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16 reviews of David Bonsey Fine Violins

No registration required
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
This is my first Unilocal review. I usually don’t write reviews but I was so pleasantly surprised and impressed by David’s knowledge, honesty, and dedication to customers and their instruments. He took one glance at my violin and immediately knew it was made by a Chinese violinmaker, that the back of the violin was likely made of European wood, and what its true value was. He immediately knew that the bow was not purchased with the violin because it was made of German wood. David really knows his stuff. He even gave me some very honest and helpful advice on how and where to sell it (my intention of repairing the instrument in the first place was getting it in shape to sell). He really saved me a lot of time – and money (I was preparing to sell it for much less than its worth). You can just tell by the questions he asks that he genuinely cares about his customers and their instruments. I highly recommend him to anyone who is looking to repair his or her violin in NYC.
Place rating: 5
Jackson Heights, NY
This is my first Unilocal comment, and I am writing because I truly recommend this place for anything that is related to strings! He is professional, and I can tell he is knowledgeable. I hope many people experience his nice and awesome service!
Place rating: 5
Manhattan, NY
David is quite experienced in identifying instruments. I think you can get quite proper instruments with the budget you have. And I love the bridge he cut for me! Very nice job. I walked around NYC several different places looking for a violin, and I highly recommend this place. David just started his own place 2 years ago, but I am sure with his good technique and experience, his devotion and love to his job, there would be more and more people find this place and continue coming back, because it is trustworthy.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Took out my cello after a long hiatus and there was a giant crack at the base of the neck. After freaking out a bunch, I found David Bonsey Fine Violins online and gave David a call. He was so nice and he answered all of my questions (even the dumb ones). I brought the cello in so he could take a look, and he was very knowledgeable and helpful, walking me through the entire process.
He also kept me updated during the repair process, including pictures so I could see how things were going. When I picked it up after everything was done, my cello looked great! In fact, the crack is barely noticeable and the instrument feels sturdier than ever. Hopefully I’ll never have to deal with any major cello repairs again, but if I do, I’ll definitely be going back to David!
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
David is exactly the kind of luthier we need in NYC. He is honest, reliable, and does beautiful work – not to mention he always believes me when I say the tiniest thing feels off on my instrument! (Yay!)
As someone who performs a few times a week and plays many hours a day, my instrument is under a ton of continued stress — David has gone above and beyond to help me out with emergency seam repairs, new bridges, rehairs, retouches, etc. You name it, he’s done it! And always quickly!
In the past, I have found it difficult to trust violin shops in NYC, and have walked out of a fair few without leaving my bow OR cello for the work I needed to have done. I am so thankful to have found David about 8 months ago. On top of his exceptional skills, his attitude and relaxed work environment is an even added bonus to an already top notch business, in my opinion. I always look forward to visiting his shop and I’m sure I’ll be back soon!
Place rating: 1
New York, NY
NOBODY HOME!
Helloooo! Called? no answer! Went by? Nobody there! — Regular business hours! 1pm on a tuesday! Ended up walking 8 more blocks to a violin repair shop by columbus circle. Won’t try here again.
Place rating: 5
Manhattan, NY
David is an expert but he treated me, a total novice, as if I was his professional equal. He’s kind, and patient and very generous — especially with his time. It doesn’t get any better that David.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Great experience! My cello’s neck had come unglued and the tension of the strings had literally pulled it out of the instrument. Scary stuff. David Bonsey was very comforting and down to earth. He provided options and was realistic with my playing longevity as a recreational musician in this city! The instrument was put back together and after 15 years of ownership, it has never sounded better. He definitely worked his magic!
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
I generally don’t write reviews (despite using Unilocal nearly daily) but I felt I had to after getting my cello back from David. Not only did he fix my buzz (open seams), but also made me a gorgeous new bridge, reset my sound post, and adjusted the slope of my fingerboard (lingering problems from over a decade of not playing) — all in just a few days and not unreasonably priced. My cello has NEVER sounded this good. It makes me want to practice daily, which is a feat after ten years of guilt from ignoring it in a corner… David is amazing.
Place rating: 5
Lake Hiawatha, NJ
I feel like his shop is magical. David has everything: an interesting conversation n nice tea. Very welcoming. Also he has fine instrument n helps out with picking the best instrument you want. Like come on~~ his amazing. I bought a violin from him couple of months ago… n I’m loving the tone, color and everything. Finally I really respect his work. I’m really enjoy playing this new violin. His great. ^^
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
This is my first Unilocal review, but I had to make myself an account after getting my violin back today from David Bonsey. Let me start by saying that I have lived in New York for 4 years now and haven’t trusted anyone with my violin in the city. But, when my neck separated from the body of my violin, David was the first person I called. Not only did he calm me down about my violin being in 2 pieces, he also came in on his day off just to accommodate my schedule! A week later, my violin looks better than it did when I purchased it 8 years ago, and I now have someone in the city I trust for any of my violin needs. Thanks so much!
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
My violin has never looked or sounded so good as it does now, thanks to David Bonsey. He really went above and beyond. There are not a lot of people I trust with my fiddle but I am very glad I took a chance and I will definitely be back for all my violin needs. Very high recommend.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
David is a magician! I brought him an old, beat up cello that had a large crack in the bottom, a slipped sound post and an unfortunate bridge. I didn’t even realize how bad the bridge was until David talked me through bridges and how they work with the instrument (note I’m a beginner who just plays for fun and stress relief). In a week David put on a new bridge, fixed the instrument and I’ve never heard it sound so good. I really don’t believe it is the same instrument. David is kind, professional and does amazing work! Send your instruments his way, you will not be disappointed!
Place rating: 5
London, United Kingdom
If you want an expert craftsman who is not only completely trustworthy but also a genuinely great guy, look no further! David’s also a musician himself (in fact last time I visited late in the day and we even had a quick impromptu jam just after closing!), so he can perfectly understand the needs of other musicians. Great central location too. Highly recommended :)
Place rating: 5
Smithtown, NY
I was referred to David by an internationally renowned cellist and was certainly not disappointed! I called David about the fallen sound post in my cello and was able to bring it to him the next day. His hours were very flexible. He was so friendly and explained everything to me. I also got a new bridge that he made and aged in his workshop. I was able to pick up my instrument 2 days later! My cello sounds like a new instrument. I am so pleased with the results and David is such a pleasure to do business with. His prices were extremely fair! He was so friendly and I look forward to working with him again in the future!
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
It is always a pleasure to work with David. You will never have to worry about him selling you something you don’t need and charging you with an overpriced fee (Which I get nervous about with other shops!)
It is only 2 – 3 minutes walk from the N/​Q/​B/​D line making it very convenient. From the relationship I have built with David, I bring friends here all the time! He will take excellent care of you, AND your violin :)