After years of using the same violin I have had since 6th grade, my teacher and parents determined that it was time to start looking for a new violin, and possibly a new bow as well. The main shop for strings musicians living in the Bay Area is Ifshin Violins, located in El Cerrito, California. With over 35 years of experience serving the community's needs, Ifshin's has excellent customer service and helpful staff to help pick from their wide variety of instruments and accessories.
Due to COVID-19, customers are required to make appointments before being permitted in the store. While modern looking on the exterior of the building, the interior of the store told a different story. Built in 2008, Ifshin Violins was designed specifically to have great acoustics and a specific layout suited to the needs of the strings musicians. Now recognized worldwide for the sale and restoration of fine instruments, Ifshin's is a great place to go if you're looking for a new instrument or a rental.
After making our appointment to go visit and try a few violins, we drove to the store the following weekend for our appointment. On the inside of the store, there are two main rooms, which are enormous rooms filled with instruments. The large size of the rooms helps with the acoustics as people try various instruments. In my case, I was brought into the room to try violins. After giving some background information, a selection of eight violins were brought out. Rafael, who was the staff member helping us throughout this whole process was very kind and informative and told us all we needed to know about each violin. After we had narrowed down the violins to our top three or four, Rafael returned and gave his opinion while I played the different instruments. Eventually, we settled on a J. Haide instrument.
Because purchasing an instrument is a serious commitment and a large decision, Ifshin allows customers to bring the instrument home with them for two weeks in order to get used to it and try it out for an extended period of time. Before we left the store, we discussed cases, and were given three Pernambuco bows to take home to try as well. While I had been looking at violins, my younger sister had been in the other large room trying out full-size cellos.
Shopping at Ifshin Violins was a wonderful experience. Rafael was incredibly helpful in making our decisions, and the staff were all friendly and polite. The wide variety and selection of instruments ensured that we got the best possible instrument. If anyone is looking to rent, buy, or have their instrument repaired, I highly recommend Ifshin Violins.