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Metzler Violin Shop Dear Tom, I look at your shop as a little oasis of harmony in what are so often discordant times. There is a joy of music that radiates from your store and spreads to all those lucky enough to visit it. What a wonderful shop! It's a place that when you walk in, you feel the passion for music in the air.

There's a workshop and you can see the instruments being worked on and being cared for. Nostalgia aside, the employees were just as wonderful. Subscribe now to receive promo codes for up to $100 off your first order, and be the first to know about our special events, concerts, lectures, and sales!.
Services
Tom gives each customer his full attention in his unhurried, soft spoken style. In 1972, while a violin major at the University of Iowa, Tom decided to pursue his dream of being a violin maker. He headed for Mittenwald, Germany where he studied German until an opening became available at the Bavarian State Trade School for Violin Making, from which he received a degree in 1976.
The Metzler Violin Shop is located in Glendale, California just north of downtown Los Angeles, in a handsome, adobe-style building. There is street parking available in front of our business and on the two nearby side-streets.
Our rental program is one of our most popular services, and is designed for beginning students and visiting professionals alike. It's a great way to try a string instrument for a few months with no major commitment. Visiting cellists love to rent an instrument instead of hassling with their instrument on an aircraft.
String Instrument Repair - Need a fingerboard planed, a soundpost replaced, or a new bridge? Do you have a more serious problem, such as a crack or a sagging fingerboard? We have an internationally trained staff of expert violin makers equipped to give you perfect results on every repair. Please not that since our staff is small, we cannot always accept every repair submitted to us.
Reviews (29)
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Joy L.
Jun 16, 2022
We visited Metzler Shop the first time and had a great experience. Their very professional and very accommodating. They made our experience very nice. My daughter loves her new viola and has been practicing a lot ever since we brought it home. We highly recommend to everyone to buy their string instruments at Metzler
Emily P.
May 06, 2022
Haven't played much violin in some years but this was my go to strings store when I used to. There are several in LA--I've been to just about all of them--and none of them compare to Metzler. Here they're helpful, friendly, kind, and very reasonable.
Eldad Afik
Mar 29, 2022
Kind, professional and helpful staff, and service. We've been advised to go to Metzler's by our kid's violin teacher at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Have been enjoying Metzler's services since 2018, and keep coming back. As our kid grows, we have rented/purchased/trade-in 3 violins and 2 violas. It's been always helpful to be offered to try several instruments of various price levels. This has allowed our kid, the teacher, and us, to find a good fit.
Kathy L.
Mar 16, 2022
Love the store helpers. They help me to pick out a violin to rent and potentially buy. : I believe this is the only store that lets you rent out violins more than 1k.
Chrysa Kovach
Dec 09, 2021
Highly knowledgeable staff with great customer service. Our new bass is a beautiful instrument. Shoutout to Emily and Julia for their great care and assistance!
Village Girl E.
Dec 01, 2021
Really can't say enough good things about my experience here. I came in not sure what I wanted, but Emily was very patient with me as we went over instruments, pricing and plans. Plus they have a really great rental program for people like me that can't make up their minds! I have really enjoyed playing my violin daily since my visit and am glad I took the plunge back into being a musician!
Philip
Nov 24, 2021
Walked in without an appointment. Helped me out. Great friendly staff. They even have some dedicated rooms they'll let you try out and take your time within various bows /violins/cellos. They even have a room outfitted with Electric Violins & amps. They also installed my new strings on the spot. Customer for life now
Philip
Nov 15, 2021
They're great. Really nice. Helpful. They have rooms so you can try out your instrument of choice without worrying about making other customers cringe or ruin their hearing if you play terribly awful. Had fun testing out electrics.
Ryan G.
Oct 21, 2021
Amazing store with an nice and welcoming staff. Recently got a violin from here and they were very patient and informative when choosing my instrument.
Jordan R.
Oct 10, 2021
I needed my viola rehabbed after over a decade of not playing it - they took a look and recommended the work that needed to be done (but were not pushy in any of their recommendations). They did beautiful finish work on my viola and rehaired the bow - and they were very knowledgeable and friendly the whole time. Highly recommend them!
Limitless Blue
Oct 09, 2021
Absolutely delightful! I've never touched a violin before in my life, and today I went in to get my first instrument. Julie helped me pick out one for beginners; she demo'd three violins, and after I decided on one the rest was a cinch! She recommended accessories/books for me to read, helped me get comfortable with the instrument, and was overall incredibly helpful. I've got my first rental, now, and I'll absolutely be coming back for anything violin related. :D
Sudesh M.
Sep 07, 2021
I would recommend the Metzler Violin Shop to anyone to shop in person or online. They have a solid selection of good instruments & accessories. Finding the right instrument is not an easy act regardless of one's experience, knowledge or the budget. But also it can be a smooth & pleasant experience when you're assisted by knowledgeable, patient and truly passionate people. Metzler staff is a fine example of all the above. Thank you Wesley, Julia & Tom Metzler Sudesh Managoda
Dylan B.
Aug 08, 2021
If I could give more stars, I would! Metzler's shop was incredible and Wesley was such a helpful, patient person who made a stressful experience of spending $ so incredible. After mentioning he wasn't a cellist, he still played 2 cellos for me so I could get a sense of their sound, and he did so much more to make me confident in my purchase.

It was also the most affordable beginner's cello I found without sacrificing any of the quality. Thank you, Wesley! (And apologies if I misspelled your name, I realize I forgot to ask!) - Morgan
Ginny E.
Aug 01, 2021
If I could live in this shop, I would. Staffed with kind, helpful geeky musicians and of course dog Panda, this shop has everything you could want for your stringed fantasies. I got my old German Stradivari copy basically refurbished here for a very reasonable price, bought a Yamaha electric violin, and now I'm renting a "Xavier" cello to which I have the "rent to buy" option if I like it.

I even broke two of the preamps that come with the Yamaha and the owner went out of his way to get more from the company for me. And somehow they manage to keep prices comparable to crappy online dealers. I guess that's what you call integrity!
James Mason
Jul 27, 2021
I recently bought an electric violin here. They have a large selection of instruments to try, and the staff is happy to leave you to play. Lots of sheet music and accessories if you're looking for that. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Nice experience.
Y. H.
Jul 19, 2021
I wish I had more excuses to come here. Like many others, I'd returned to violin during the pandemic after not playing for over 10 years so I brought my violin in for new strings, and a new shoulder rest. When I arrived, the staff was patiently helping another customer with a new instrument. Wesley noticed me waiting and even though he was obviously working on a violin, put it down to come help me. He got me sorted with new strings, checked the positioning of my violin and advised that I actually didn't need a new shoulder rest.
Sharon Harman
May 20, 2021
I always love going to the Metzler Violin Shop where everyone is so friendly and eager to help! It's a happy place where the owners and staff are all extremely knowledgeable and very generous with the personal time and wisdom they give to their customers. My violin and bow have been worked on with excellent results! My students have always been very happy with the personal service that they have received with wonderful violin, bow and case purchases as well as repairs.

It's really a wonderful, friendly, family environment with lots of music to browse through and beautiful special items to buy. They are very well stocked with all levels and qualities of everything one needs as a string player. You will love your experience there!
Anita C.
Mar 31, 2021
It's been over a decade since I played violin, and the pandemic boredom inspired me to pick it back up. Decided to come to Metzler Violin Shop and get new strings, a bow, some rosin, and cleaner based on the 5 star reviews. The appointment booking process was quick and easy via text, I was able to come in later that same day. Tom went over the different tiers and brands that were available, as well as fan favorites and his personal favorites.

He told me he'd be back in 15 while he fitted my violin with new strings and gathered the rest of my accessories. It was a great day outside and it was absolutely beautiful out on the patio. I think they were out of stock on cleaners so Tom actually filled a little canister of the shop's free of charge! I really appreciated the amount of care and attentiveness he gives to his customers.

I only came in for some strings and a bow but he did pretty much a full inspection of my violin and went into detail about the little things that needed fixing, how long it would take and a detailed breakdown of pricing. Looking forward to coming back in the future for all my violin needs. Thanks Metzler family!
Jason P.
Feb 24, 2021
We have bought a violin from here before so when our sons decided to play cello we decided to come back and had another amazing experience choosing to cellos for our sons thank you Wesley for taking the time and patience and helping us choose the perfect instruments for our sons as well thank you Mr. Metzler for fine-tuning the instruments we definitely recommend this music store to anyone that wants to buy high-quality instruments add a very good price
Rolfe Jones
Feb 05, 2021
Metzler is the very best all round. For a number if years we have had the service of Wesley who is just outstanding. Also the owner Thomas Metzler is just wonderful along with his daughter who also supports the business - we have now purchased our 3rd Violin for our daughter and will continue to buy as our daughter grows up. The store gives very good trade in terms for instruments purchased with them, which is excellent. Cannot say how happy we have this fantastic resource close by in Glendale!
Susan Arthur
Jan 04, 2021
Our experience with Metzler Violin Shop could not have been better. We reside in Brooklyn, NY and all of our interactions were done by phone and we assessed violins for trial by mail. In the end we considered ten violins and each of the violins were of fine quality. I mention the number of violins that we considered also to express gratitude that we were so easily able to have access, despite our distance, to numerous strong choices.

The staff of Metzler are wonderful and we worked directly first with Emily and then mostly with Wesley, and finally Tom, the owner. Once we gave our price range and described the qualities of the instrument we hoped to find, diligent effort was made to select violins to meet our criteria. The Metzler Violin Shop staff are lovely, supportive and knowledgeable.

We had been searching for a violin for quite some time, both in New York and then even Paris and Germany, but it was with Metzler that we found the instrument. I highly recommend this shop, as they have an impressive inventory of fine instruments and a top quality staff offering guidance. Many thanks.
Stephanie H.
Dec 27, 2020
Excellent service, quality luthier, fine violins, violas and cellos. Customer service is stellar. Also Barbara offers excellent violin tuition. Could not be happier. Fun shop.
S. O.
Dec 20, 2020
Professional staff! Helped us pick out our first student viola rental. Son outgrew the first one in 6 months so they helped us pick out the next one as well. Customer service never rushed. Broken zipper on case was replaced without a fuss. Viola restrung in just a few minutes. Call for appointment during the pandemic.
Jim K.
Dec 11, 2020
They rescued my instrument. It's a new experience playing it. Expert and loving craftsmanship. I trust them completely
Robert D.
Nov 14, 2020
Just great. Friendly, helpful, accommodating, and 3 million more superlatives I could list. Recommend highly.
Danielle D.
Oct 10, 2020
Absolutely a 5 star experience from start to finish. From after hours emails to sending me my beautiful new (to me) violin in perfect condition and ready to play. I did everything online, as I live on Maui, so have no local shops. So the process can be daunting. But I felt cared for and secure in my purchase. When I received my violin and gorgeous Pedi case, I was almost in tears the whole thing was so beautiful.

It was packed professionally and they added in extras, such as a rosin and a cloth and a luggage tag and Metzler pencil. None of that was necessary. And then the sound! Even as a beginner this violin is taking care of me! I will always shop at Metzler first from now on. I'm thrilled I found them not too far into my musical journey. Thank you! Danielle Dewey
Alissa She & Apos Her M.
Mar 20, 2020
Beautiful pieces in here and access to a top notch luthier. It feels good to support a small business who has a true passion for their craft. Their daughter gives cello lessons and it's a good opportunity to try a new bow etc.
Tina Ig Caligirleatz
Nov 27, 2019
I'm not a career musician but I wanted to repair my violin and take lessons again after years of not playing. I've had my violin for 21 years and 2 of the seems had come apart after being stored for about 10 years. They fixed the seems in a week and Emma Cecila helped me find a new bow that was good quality and in my price range. I highly recommend this place its perfect for the snooty pros; and the "retired" armature musicians like me. Don't be intimidated by the quality of service this was a great experience with quality service.
S. Alicia S.
Aug 16, 2019
Metzler Violin is Shop's 40-years old like next month. I didn't notice this place before today. I had to leave my car at the dealership's service department. So, I walked back to the violin place after dropping-off my car. I know nothing about these instruments. However, I can sing. Sometimes scratchy. Sometimes in the shower. Sometimes with the radio.

Always during the Christmas holiday season. Sometimes, amazingly spectacular. So visiting this shop enables my inner muse. What's an actress to do? The staff was genuinely friendly. The shop was like a little museum. And I truly enjoyed my visit.