Violin stores in Chicago

April 29, 2016 at 11:47 PM · Hello Leon:

If you are looking for a high quality violin then visit me in Chicago and audition my 1992 hand made Marshall Brune full size violin. It has an exceptionally beautiful and finely balanced tone, is in mint condition, and is a violin that is exceptionally easy to play.

My asking price is in the 3K range. I also have a tortoise shell bow which I have paired with this violin. If you are interested, please contact me at

tkruzich@rcn.com

April 30, 2016 at 07:46 PM · Don't be intimidated by the Ken Warren shop. It is in the best interest of any dealer to treat a customer well. Also, I imagine they will have other violins in your price range to compare and all of the instruments you look at will be set up correctly.

May 1, 2016 at 03:45 AM · I've enjoyed the business I've done with Dixon Strings. Don't know if they sell Haide but I know they have a range. I've also had good experiences with WH Lee, and out in the burbs with Cassandra Strings and Ken Stein Violins.

Dixon and Lee are also fun shops to visit, for what that's worth. Both have the feel of "violinist shops" rather than "student shops" if that makes sense :) Dixon is a smaller shop, fun to talk with, also does great lutherie. Lee is right downtown in the historic fine arts building so that's always a fun trip.

May 1, 2016 at 04:42 AM · My sister bought a violin from Michael Becker in Park Ridge. As far as I know, he carries less-expensive instruments.

May 1, 2016 at 03:48 PM · My experience is that if a shop carries less expensive instruments, they're not going to act in an intimidating manner when you look at them.

To address Haide explicitly: Ifshin's, who owns the Haide lines, is my LVS and I've tried their instruments. I almost bought a non-l'ancienne viola from them. It sounded great and was reasonably priced. I've tried their l'ancienne violins and wasn't thrilled, although MANY v.commies have been. The viola I finally bought was the highest model Kremona Studio (Bulgarian). I love it, and if I could do it all over again, all my instruments would be from them. In fact, Ifshin's is a retailer for their violins. They are in your price bracket and if you can find a Kremona Studio retailer in the Chicago area that carries violins (a lot of places just carry their guitars), it would be worth checking out. Less expensive than the l'ancienne and the wood is European. (Kremona Studio models don't vary much in price--the difference seems to be the quality of the wood.)

@Philip, if you have played any Kremona Studio instruments, I'd be interested to hear your opinion. I have never seen anything regarding them on v.com and find it puzzling. My luthier had never even heard of them, but when she heard my viola, her reaction was "Wow!"

May 1, 2016 at 10:42 PM · My first full-size violin was a William Harris Lee! Check out his shop, he's still there turning out fantastic instruments.

May 1, 2016 at 11:58 PM · Thank you for your suggestions everybody. I have never even heard of Dixon strings! I am going to check them out along with W.H.Lee. I looked at their websites and things look very promising.

Thanks again.

May 2, 2016 at 10:49 PM · Visit Seman violins in Skokie. They cover your range well. They also have a 100% trade in policy.......