David T Stone Violins

I stopped by this store after picking up a curious Violin at a Thrift Shop a few days prior. I have wanted to learn violin for years on a more serious level. I had lessons back in middle school and wanted to get a good violin. I’ve played Piano and Guitar for years and just couldn’t justify the cheap violins I saw everywhere. Well I couldn’t pass up the deal at this thrift store for what appeared to be an older violin with bow, but I hardly knew any info on it.
Upon bringing the violin and bow to the shop David and a kind lady both helped give me an idea of what I had, they both were honest, patient, knowledgeable, not-​pushy and informative. They both congratulated me on making a fine purchase and that my instrument, though heavily repaired, was well worth the money I spent, and that with some new strings, new hair on the bow and probably a new chin rest that I would have a lovely instrument that would have much better sound and character than any $ 500 beginner setup. They did not force me or push me to have them repair it, or restring and rehair the violin and bow which I was grateful for since I wanted to do some more research first.
All that said I am sure I will be back in a few days to have them do the necessary repairs to have the violin up and running!

FYI (before I review): The entrance is a solitary door between a couple of businesses and is easy to miss.
Wow. This is a very impressive business and really feels true to form. David Stone is a very passionate person and really cares about the art of music, the history, and the beauty of the instruments.
My wife and I came here looking to upgrade her exceptionally outdated and low grade violin. David took the time to learn more about her, what she was looking for, how she liked to play, etc. We spent some time with him in is repair shop learning a bit more about him and his work.
David brought my wife a set of 5 violins to try, then upon listening determined that she was above that level in skill. He then brought out 4 more to try. We were overly impressed by the dynamic differences between the instruments. She had a tough time deciding between 2 so he gave her a case and told her to take them both home for a week as a trial.
We were both very impressed by the care of the business towards the craft and the people that come in.

This is a fantastic violin store. I have been playing violin for over 30 years and have dealt with a lot of luthiers and violin stores over the years. David T Stone Violins is probably the best violin store I have dealt with. David is extremely knowledgeable, personable, honest and interested in finding an instrument or bow that fits your exact playing requirements and budget. The staff at the store is very friendly, professional and always seem to be in good spirits. I had been looking off-​and on for over 4 years for a new violin and David helped me find an amazing contemporary instrument I love to play and matching bow. I never felt pressured to make a purchase or accept an instrument that didn’t quite work for me. On the contrary, David let me take out and try countless violins over the years until one day he did find just the right instrument for me… You cant go wrong with this store! Highly recommended!

I need to go back here ASAP. David T Stone Violins is everything you could ask for in a music shop. He’s knowledgeable, friendly, his staff are efficient and do quality work. The care he gives his customers is refreshing and the relationships that that fosters becomes evident at every hello and small talk as someone he knows walks in.
I recently found this place after my viola’s sound post had fallen out as I was restringing it. His staff fixed my viola’s sound post in no time at all, and because it was supposedly such a minor fix, didn’t even charge me for it, but recommended coming back when I wanted them to make me a higher quality, specially made one. My experience here was wonderful, and I will not hesitate to visit the next time I have any trouble.

This is going to sound strange but David talked me out of buying a violin. He sat me down, told me what makes a violin and bow make the sounds they make, and said I should start with the very basics before I make a huge commitment of purchasing a new instrument. I was baffled, but I (obviously) trusted him more than my limited judgement.
Regardless, David brought out some beautiful violins and let me try them with my bow. He even let me try different chin rests — chin rests! Why didn’t I think of that? So, basically, at the end of my magnificent visit, I knew more about my violin than I had ever learned in 15 years and found I appreciated it that much more.
Although I’ll hold off on buying a violin, I did leave my current instrument in the caring hands of David and Muriel, and I’m extremely excited to see what bows David has in store to show me at my next visit. Trust these folks. I’ve never seen a group more passionate about the art of violin crafting.

Seattle musicians are lucky to have this man and his business in our lives.
This adventure started out with me noticing that my bow hair was in a baaaaad place. My intent was to walk in, drop my bow off, say thanks and take off. 5 mins, right?
When we entered this little unassuming upstairs shop, I was immediately thrilled by how many cool THINGS he had on display to just look at! Violin/​viola/​cello bits, tools, old music and a selection of info about local teachers and community ensembles.
I gave David my bow and he looked over my violin, immediately fixed my bridge and passed me off to his assistant (David) who told me exactly what needed to be done, understanding that I wasn’t focused on instrument fixes but still filling me in. He told me all about his experience with instruments, showed me projects he’s working on and CLEANED MY PEGS. He went peg for peg, unwinding the strings, cleaning the scroll and peg, putting compound on each one and then perfectly tuning my instrument. They both have an unhurried, honest and kind nature about them and I really appreciated how the explained my violin to me. He treated me like I was one of his kids and I left with a warm, fuzzy feeling. In the end, we were there for more than an hour. He even showed me some movies of his daughter playing quartets!
I will be back with every possibly repair need ever. Again, we’re lucky.

Just as other reviewers have said, this is a great establishment. I knew of this shop because I went to the UW and he id close by.
I recently found myself needing to get some work done on my violin. I took it to David. He let me know that the repair costs would be more than the violin is worth, which I thought was very nice. But those who play know that you can get attached to your violin easily. The other David fixed my violin well, and David Stone fixed my bow well.

I cannot say enough good things about David and his staff. They are wonderful!
We first met David, Scott and Muriel about a year ago for repairs to my daughters ¾ cello. David and Scott were wonderful about explaining what needed to be done, and VERY understanding that we are a family on a budget. We ended up with a repaired cello body, a repaired bridge, and a new bow, since the old one was beyond repair. David felt that the hair was longer than he’d like, and so he sent us on our way with a certificate for rehairing whenever we like. He and his staff also answered countless questions from me and all of my 3 kids, and made me feel like they were really welcome in the shop.
This year, a broken A string and a 4-​inch growth spurt led us to the purchase of a new cello. David’s shop was the first place we headed. We just love working with them. David answered a million questions and worked with his supplier to get a great cello and case at a wonderful price. Scott worked to get it set up just right, and Muriel communicated wonderfully with us and our really excited middle schooler.
Many thanks to all of you! We will continue to recommend you to every string player we know!

David is the only person I will go to for purchasing a string instrument or for violin/​viola repair. I made the mistake once of going somewhere else because it was nearby and the guy broke my frog and replaced it with something completely sub par. It was really disappointing because I actually purchased this bow from David and it was wonderful.
David has such a wealth of knowledge, and is very easy to work with. It’s been some time since I’ve come to see him but any time someone asks me for a good violin shop I always direct them to him, even if they’re not in the area.
I have purchased both my violin and my viola from David and I have been so happy with them. I know that he is there to help me whenever I need him. Go David!

Long story short: If you are a beginner and looking for a stringed instrument, then you need to see David. If you are intermediate or professional and need a shop for repairs, instruments, accessories, advice, industry connections, whatever — David is an fount of knowledge, expert in strings, and offers exceptional personal service.
Long story long: It was sheer dumb luck that I stumbled upon David Stone’s shop over a decade ago, when I was just learning viola and had no clue what instrument and bow to buy.
I was frustrated with renting garbage instruments, and decided to call a few shops to ask questions about buying a starter instrument. They pretty much gave me the brush-​off as soon as they heard I had just taken up the instrument and wanted to buy my own.
Then I called David’s shop. He welcomed me to come down and try out some of the instruments. At first I was very embarrassed because I was so new at it, but he is the kind of person who loves what he does, and he is thrilled with anyone who is interested in strings, beginner to professional.
He sold me a lovely Chinese ‘beginner’ instrument (which sounded wonderful for the price), and gave me all kinds of great advice; he’s not the kind of guy to over-​sell you on something you don’t need or can’t afford, and I appreciate that. It was a great sign to see young and super-​good students in there, just hanging with him and the staff to chit-​chat.
I soon found out through various conversations that he services instruments for some rather big names, and knows so many key players in the industry (not name-​dropping either — but because he tries to make connections). I’ve found this helpful in discovering workshops put on by people who know their stuff.
Ten years later, when I flew to Seattle from LA, I went back to look at upgrading my instrument, he was again very welcoming, and remembered both me and my instrument and bow. He determined my bow was still fine, and set me out with eight different instruments to try out in the shop, let me take my favorite home to try out, and I was hooked. I love it! Not only is it a brand-​new quality instrument that is already mellow and resonant (and guaranteed to become more so), it is mouth-​watering to look at!
In addition, I was thrilled that he offered to take back the previous instrument I had purchased from him — for full price paid, less $ 150 in needed repairs, — and allow me to pay the difference. Fantastic! I am so thankful that he cares, and does what he can to accommodate a person’s playing level and pocketbook, and is always available to answer questions without attitude. Plus, he’s just a great guy to talk to.
His shop performs repairs on a variety of strings, including viola da gamba. He carries a range of violins, violas, and cellos (I didn’t ask what other strings), shoulder rests, strings, rosin etc. He can also recommend the best makers if you are looking to have a custom instrument made. ENJOY!