Business Details
41 Years
experience
Premier Violin Dealers in Albuquerque, NM
Robertson & Sons Violin Shop has established itself as a premier destination for rare and contemporary string instruments and bows. With over four decades of experience, our expertise spans violin, viola, cello, and bass sales, restorations, and appraisals. Our team of skilled luthiers provides meticulous repair services, ensuring instruments maintain their tonal integrity and historical value. We operate a nationwide rental program offering professionally maintained instruments for students and professionals alike. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, our facility features three instrument showrooms and a recital hall for client evaluations. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our non-invasive restoration techniques trusted by leading musicians globally.We offer certificates of authenticity signed by our founder, Donald F. Robertson, a recognized authority in instrument provenance. Our extensive sheet music library and expert staff support musicians at every stage of their journey. Through our consignment program, we facilitate instrument sales with comprehensive marketing and client communication. Our approval program enables remote evaluations with full insurance coverage for high-value items. This combination of expertise, facilities, and customer-focused services has made us one of North America's largest violin dealers.
Services
Violin Sales
Instrument Rentals
Appraisals
Bow Repairs
Restorations
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of specialized expertise in string instrument sales and restoration
- Our luthiers provide non-invasive, artistic restoration trusted by professional musicians
- We maintain a nationwide rental program with professionally set-up instruments
- Our founder personally issues certificates of authenticity for fine instruments
- We facilitate global instrument sales through our extensive international clientele
Services
Violin Sales
Robertson & Sons offers an extensive collection of rare and contemporary violins for sale. Our inventory includes instruments from renowned makers as well as modern creations. Each violin undergoes professional setup and evaluation to ensure optimal playability. Our experienced staff assists musicians in finding instruments that match their technical requirements and tonal preferences.
Appraisals
We provide detailed appraisals for insurance purposes, assessing current market value with comprehensive documentation. Our evaluations include physical descriptions, measurements, and photographic records. The service costs $125, with discounted updates available for existing appraisals. Clients receive formal reports signed by our expert appraisers.
Restorations
Our restoration department specializes in non-invasive techniques to preserve instrument integrity while improving functionality. Services include crack repairs, varnish touch-ups, and structural reinforcements. Our luthiers use traditional methods to maintain historical authenticity while enhancing playability for modern performance requirements.
Rentals
We maintain a nationwide rental program featuring professionally maintained instruments for students and professionals. Our rental fleet includes full-sized and fractional violins, violas, cellos, and basses. Each rental instrument receives regular maintenance and setup by our in-house technicians to ensure consistent performance quality.
Bow Repairs
Our experts handle all aspects of bow restoration and maintenance, including rehairing, tip plate replacement, and shaft straightening. We work with both modern and antique bows, using period-appropriate materials. Our bow specialists ensure optimal tension and balance for improved playability and sound production.
People
Donald F. Robertson
President and Founder
Donald F. Robertson established the shop in 1985 after decades of experience in the violin trade. He specializes in instrument authentication and restoration, developing a global reputation for expertise in string instrument provenance and valuation.
Questions
What types of instruments do you specialize in?
We specialize in rare and contemporary violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, along with their corresponding bows.
Do you offer instrument appraisal services?
Yes, we provide detailed appraisals for insurance purposes at $125, including physical descriptions and market value assessments.
Can I try instruments remotely?
Our approval program allows qualified musicians to evaluate instruments at home with full insurance coverage for one week.
Do you accept instrument consignments?
Yes, we offer consignment services with a 25% commission for instruments under $100,000, handling all aspects of the sale.
What repair services are available?
Our expert luthiers perform tonal adjustments, bow rehairs, and restorations using non-invasive techniques to preserve instrument integrity.
Is rental equipment available nationwide?
Yes, our rental program provides professionally maintained instruments to clients across the United States.
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Reviews (7)
L. V.
May 18, 2022
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Phenomenal service and attention to detail. Highly recommend their service. I stopped in for an impromptu tour, as I have never been to the shop in person, and Bryan was more than willing to show me around the violins and allowed me the opportunity to play some instruments.
L. J. Brown
Mar 25, 2022
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Be careful about consigning your instrument at this store. I had options to take it to other shops but chose them as they were closer than the LA store that was recommended. I called them and they were very interested in consigning the piece. I brought it in and they happily took the instrument but after 3 months they have not bothered to put if up for sale. Very disappointed that they have yet to list the instrument. I would never have taken it to them if they had been honest about the process of holding on to the instrument for so long.
Adam Astorga
Feb 05, 2022
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The quality of the products and of the clerks is very high but my receipt was not matching their listed price. This discrepancy varied; for instance i was over charged $2 for the Suzuki viola book and over charged for the C string by $0.68. Yet the g string was under charged by 10 cents. The strings i assumed were a set but the material ranged from unknown, nickel and steel.
Lauren Spaulding
Dec 30, 2021
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Aaron has been absolutely wonderful to work with. Over the last 10 years, this company has been consistently reliable and honest with their sales - I couldn't ask anything more from the high end instrument and bow sales here. As a professional violist (of the Thalea String Quartet) I have had mixed experiences at different violin shops around the country, but Robertson & Sons has ALWAYS proved to be a reliable place to shop.
Angela Kuban
Sep 18, 2021
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Horrible experience. Employees weren't very friendly and they basically want you to have perfect credit to rent an instrument. I am glad I took my business elsewhere. Went to Musicality. The employee was way more friendly and helpful. They hsd far more reasonable expectations for parents renting an instrument for their elementary school children.
Terra McKennon
Aug 31, 2021
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Wonderful experience thanks so much. Needed new strings for my old viola. Had them put them on for me. Bonus they even cleaned it up made my old viola look shiny and new again. Thanks for taking extra care in what you do.
Sinclair Blue
Nov 02, 2020
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Wonderful shop! We came here to get my daughters beginner's violin fixed and it was done in 20 mins and at an affordable rate. The staff was so helpful to us and that we decided to purchase a new violin. Definitely a great business and I'm for sure coming back.