Austin's Violin Shop 316 Wheeler Road, Sugar Grove, IL 60554

"I liked visiting the shop, and the ladies I talked to were pretty nice to me. I get nervous leaving my basses places and this one in particular is my whole life. They tried making me feel better but I still had a bad feeling somehow, I left my instrument to them anyway for a sound post adjustment / new soundpost for summer. And my worse fears were confirmed when I got it home and my fully carved bass ended up taking a lot of damage here, some of which I had other luthiers who work on basses exclusively (but are hours away or I'd have gone there first) tell me was irreversible. So far it seems like they're correct. First they obviously let it tip over in its case from it's side (asymmetrical upper bouts, I warned them of this) more than once and the tailpiece was on the body when I got home leaving a bad chip behind. I had to reset the bridge too because it moved with it which is a really bad sign What really kills me the most is it was clearly sitting in front of an AC vent for a long time when I picked it up, I'm pretty sure it was for the whole week. Even my students know never to do this, I drill it into all of them. I've had this bass since 2014 and never had any open seams or major issues at all with it until coming here. Now the back is misaligned so badly it will never stay glued down again and there's nothing to be done about it. It's reopened repeatedly since Back to why I brought it in; I ending up letting them cut a new post since it was the height summer and I had my shorter winter one in there, most carved basses end up needing seasonal posts like that. They used some kind of non-standard diameter post but it was cut pretty well regardless and was sounding fine so not a bad job there, just a little odd. It bothers me a little but I still have it in there for now because it's the least of my worries To wrap this up; I usually work on my own instruments but this double bass is my most prized of them all so I mostly leave that one to the pros. It got me through music school, paid for it with scholarships and everything, and it's just too nice an instrument for me to be messing around with on my own but I don't think I'm afraid anymore. The past few months have been beyond depressing because of all this and I'm probably going to have to get in the market for another carved bass. I'm taking it back to another luthier soon to get a new Winter post cut and to see if the back happens to be a little more workable now that it's getting to be winter time but that seam is actually looking much worse than the last time it was repaired. I feel sick looking at it and thinking about it I'm sure this shop is fine for student instruments and lessons. They're nice here and it really goes a long way to getting started as a musician. It looked like they carry good brands of equipment and gear too but I really would not bring any nice instruments here for even basic work. I have since heard and personally seen some other major problems come out this shop from different orchestra members too."

"I was in the market for a cello. At first when I seen the ad for Austin Violin shop I was hesitent to go...Well it is 2 hours away from me. Fortune struck and some business came up for me in that area. So I called explained my situation and they were happy and welcoming to my needs. Having less than 3 months experience with a cello, they allowed me time to take it home play it and have my teacher evaluate the sound and quality. Plus they sent a hand full of bows. By this time I had brought a few different model from other shops to my instructor, but when I presented Austins model, and she heard it, she said this is the one you want. The quality is very good and the sound is fantastic. She even went as far as to say, you could use this to play with our community orchestra, it sounds that good. Oh I must say, this is a student model and affordably priced. My first year of owning it is half over, and in another few months I will return to Austin and have it's yearly physical and new strings installed. I am sure she will pass with flying colors and beautiful sounds. Thank you Pat and the rest of the crew at Austins Violin Shop. Using Arnolds famous words " I'll be back ""

"We have been using Austin's Violin Shop for our violin rentals and purchases for the last 8 years and have always been so well cared for! The instruments have always been fantastic quality and the service phenomenal! Thank you!"

"I rarely write reviews, but wow, everything about this place is awesome. All the staff members here are so incredibly friendly, hospitable, and kind; there’s a real charm in the atmosphere here. The instruments here are high quality, and they have an incredibly wide range of instruments as well. Patricia, the store owner, is truly so kind and I mean it when I say that she makes you feel like family. I’ve been looking to purchase a viola for the last few months now, and I’ve visited numerous stores in my area. Although this place is about a 40 minute drive from me, there’s no other place I’d rather go to after coming here. I was seriously blown away the second I came in because of how kind everyone is, and the large variety of instruments in my specific price range was a pleasant surprise. Again, the customer service here is unmatchable and they have an incredibly wide range of relatively affordable, but high quality instruments. I couldn’t recommend this business more - definitely my favorite string store around the western/northwestern suburbs."

"Love Austin's! They are so professional and knowledgeable. Just bought my daughter her first violin and they ordered her case because they didn't have the color she wanted! And they are going to deliver it right to her school! Highly recommend if you are looking for any instrument."