3.5 stars. This place has a nice selection of cellos and the staff is nice. I really disagree with their repair philosophy, however. They only repair specifically what is agreed upon, so if they see any minor additional scratches they don’t go ahead and repair those (even if it’s apparent they may become larger cracks). Other luthiers I’ve been to usually try to repair cosmetic issues all at once. What they do repair, they do professionally.

Loved it. My granddaughter just got her first Violin.

Great store for all kinds of string instruments. Nice customer service.

Amazing. Very friendly and helpful staff. Nice selection of music for strings. Great selection of rental instruments.

I was in the market for a violin (10-25k range) and tried nearly 100 instruments across 7 different shops in the Bay Area. Ifshin’s definitely has the biggest selection in this range.Raphael was SO helpful in understanding what I was looking for in an instrument, and finding instruments that met my criteria. As an accomplished violist, he also played the instruments, so I could hear how it sounded from a distance. I was able to take 3 instruments home to try, to help me better make a decision. Throughout this process, Raphael was extremely patient, and helped me find a violin that I loved at a price that was very competitive.I live in South Bay, and it took me a few years to work up the courage to drive all the way to El Cerrito... but it was definitely worth it!

Absolutely magical. I loved the atmosphere and there were friendly, knowledgeable people that helped me every step of the way. I cant wait to go back and pick up my cello. I just want to sit in there all day and look at all the instruments!!!

Always helpful, lovely staff. An institution in East Bay and deservedly so.

Top class musical instruments, great service.

A wonderful place for young and old musicians alike. The staff is supportive, knowledgeable and friendly.

Staff obviously love and respect instruments and convey that to customers. Even beginners (like us) were treated with dignity and given careful instructions and encouragement with the express hope that we would be continuing to play music for years to come.All of our questions were answered, and then some. Highly recommend. This is not like the rental places I visited as a middle school band member.One word of caution-- this is a popular place, esp. around the beginning of the school year, and on weekends. Allow plenty of time, be prepared to wait, and dont come just before closing.

Wonderful service. I traded a rental as the bridge was curved and wouldnt stay. Swapped out the violin and good covid precautions. Very nice staff. Got a list of violin instructors too!!

Wonderful shop. Belongs in a bustling corner of Diagon Alley.

Outstanding service and selection!

This place is like the cats-pajamas for quality when it comes to string instruments. I hadnt used my violin in *whispers* 8 years, so it was time for new strings and--even during this quarantine time--the service was super personal and positive. Definitely will be coming back to make a true violin purchase!

We are so lucky to have Ifshin as our local string-instrument shop! With three kids who play multiple instruments,--plus my own--I drop by at least once a month. Im always met by knowledgeable, friendly people who can help fix instruments, replace strings--they keep an incredible variety of types and makes in stock--and re-hair bows. They have a great range of instruments and really fine bows at many price points, and the staff really take the time to explain the provenance of each. And the rental shop is the perfect place for beginning students of all ages to get started in the world of violin, viola, cello, or bass.

Great Service and very helpful team!

If you want to rent an instruments, this is the place. They will take time for you to pick one either for beginner or more advanced.

I rent my son’s violin and they are amazing.

Great service, by appointment, good COVID protocols

Staff there are very nice, knowledgeable and attentive. They let me stay for awhile while I selected a nice vow for my violin. This place was recommended by my instructor and I know why she did. I had nothing but good experiences. Thanks

The best shop in bay area!

Local treasure for friendly, expert advice, rentals, service, and sales of modern and Baroque string instruments and accessories.

We went to rent violins for my kids, teacher came with us to help with sizing. She was vert particular and demanding (in a nice way) and the young man we worked with was patient and helpful and gave us everything she asked for in the way of customer service. Great experience.

This place is simply beautiful. From the metal sculpture in the lobby to the wood grained instruments. Staff very friendly and love to talk violins. Very spacious classroom and rental area. Lots of glass so you can watch the staff fine tune all of their instruments. Lots of training material and supplies to choose from

Hard to imagine a better music store. Gorgeous interior with hundreds of string instruments and a ton of wonderful vintage posters on the wall. Knowledgable, friendly, and helpful staff, a fantastic selection of instruments for sale and rental, and fair prices. Really an excellent place.

Its a fine, reputable place for all classical string instruments. Its a place for people who are serious about classical music.This is a Google review, so I dont know who is reading this... theyre fine for the rank beginner, but you really value this shop once you move into the intermediate, advanced, and professional level: In which case, you already KNOW about Ifshin.

By far the most eclectic and visually aesthetic Lee pleasing music shop I have ever seen even folks who are not musical enthusiast would be able to appreciate the stunning artwork on the walls and the beautiful instruments throughout huge bright lofty space near Berkeley in California the most wonderful shop I have ever seen music wise you should definitely find time bc its worth it to take a look! What could it hurt really??

Cool store. Good posters. Sick staff

They make their own violins and their customer service is impeccable. It is indeed a gem for beginner violinists, they offer violin rentals at a very affordable rate but also have a wide selection of violins to own, they make their own right there. The staff was extremely helpful and nice, not pushy at all. The violin we rented sounded great and when we decide to buy thats where our money will be going.

I called a local Guitar Center and Ifshin, which is further from my home to rent a violin for my daughters first lessons. I picked Ifshin because they seemed to know a lot about violins, music and care for instruments. They measured my daughter and paired her with the perfect size. Setting up the monthly rental payments was easy and we just easily returned it.

Ifshin is THE place for purchase and maintenance of classical stringed instruments. They are the only ones I trust to take care of my cello.

Great place to rent or buy a stringed instrument. Very helpful staff that can help with repairs or giving tips.

Ifshin is the best violin, viola, and cello store in the East Bay. We have been renting violins and cellos from them for 8 years. The quality of the rentals is higher than from other places withing 30 miles or so. They are sometimes really busy so you may have to wait (especially around school start!). Plan ahead. The store is also good (though we have bought our instruments elsewhere).

Very lucky to have found this gem! I was very upset because my violins lower bout had separated and they were able to fix it quickly. Excellent customer service and reasonable prices :)

It is a very nice place!!!!! The customer service is excellent, and very patient with everyone. The violin I rented is very good condition and is obviously cared for.

Best violin shop ever! I have been to many places to get violins over the past 6 years and this is the best one!

Raphael was super knowledgeable, friendly, and reassuring during our visit to buy a viola. He made what could have been a stressful mission a pleasure. Highly recommend!

Very lovely place, loved it everyone so friendly and helpful.

East Bay string music community couldn’t survive without Ifshin.

Rent a cello there. Staffs were super friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

I came along with an experienced cellist who was shopping for a new bow. I was impressed at how much time they took to help him make a good decision, especially introducing the bows of archetier Christian Barthe, which were of great quality but not necessarily the most expensive. The space is beautiful and there are several private rooms with good acoustics where you can try out how well the bows work for you and your instrument. Theres a generous lending process to check the bows out over a week or so and really get to know them.

All of the staff was really nice and friendly! Their selection is very good and they let you try out a bunch of things your looking for in very different prices ranges.

The best and maybe only strung instrument shop in the east Bay

Brilliant craftspeople with really generous hearts. My daughter was treated with the same love and respect as the concert violinist before her.

This is beautiful place for violin 🎻 we rented students violin here for month (16$+5$ insurance) much better price for beginners.

Great people, helped me get a violin I didnt get through them taped, and set me up with a list of teachers in the area.

Wish I could give them 6 stars. Everyone there is professional, patient, and knowledgable. Love Raphael, he really helped us find the perfect match instrument.

Great customer service. Attentive, respectful, and VERY knowledgeable about all things strings, including shoulder psds!

Quality musical instrument store

Everyone is very kind and professional. High quality service! Highly recommend.

Sensational!

The staff are very helpfull always

Great shop and sales people. Wish it were closer to where I live! it can get busy at times.

Nice place, lots of selections, great customer service

Great violin and string family store/repair shop . They also rent good quality instruments.

I bought and rented my violins here and all the workers are super helpful. The prices are okay but it is much more expensive if you want a good quality violin and bow.

Unparalleled expertise with strings.

I am so happy we have this high culture island in our wonderful El Cerrito!

Very nice staff :)

What a place. Fine hand craftet instruments.

Excellent people working there. Helpful, courteous

Ive been patronizing Ifshin Violins for many years, both in their old Berkeley location and their deluxe new building in El Cerrito. The staff is knowledgeable and pleasant, the prices for strings and accessories compare with the best found online, and the selection of instruments makes it well worth a visit if youre in the market for a violin, viola, cello or bass. They also have a flourishing rental business. Highly recommended!

Great place, but a bit snooty about violins if you dont appear distinguished or upper class

This place knows their violins! Well actually, their strings.

Very friendly, helpful, and professional staff. I highly recommend.

Wonderful violin shop with wonderful staff， treat you with patience.

Ive had an absolutely wonderful experience here. I went in to purchase a Kun Bravo shoulder rest, and a few music sheets. The lady who was assisting me was extremely helpful, and beautiful too. The store itself was wonderful, it had that touch of class that are not rivalled by any other violin shops Ive ever been too (Ive been to Rue De Rome in Paris and Mirecourt btw).I also tested a couple of Jay Haide violins. Didnt like it, the sound was shrill, but probably because it was in the 1000 USD range. Should have tested more, but I just didnt have the time.

This is the best organized and staffed stringed instrument shop that I have ever visited.

Renting 1 cello and 2 violins for my children. They provide quality of instruments.

Best location for 🎻 in East Bay

Great service and fantastic luthiers!

Excellent services

Great place with helpful folks

Excellent violin, excellent service!

Always friendly and helpful!

Very personable help

Great selection of instruments

All you need in terms of strings in San Francisco!

Wonderful service

Lots of music stuff

Just perfect2

Musician

Great people, very helpful, decent prices, the only place to go in Bay Area for violin resources

PROFESSIONALS A +

Well.