Bay Fine Strings - A Trusted Haven for String Players Bay Fine Strings is a true gem for Bay Area musicians, offering everything from student rentals to rare antique instruments and bows. What sets this shop apart is owner Thomas Yee--a professionally trained violinist with deep expertise in both performance and instrument adjustment. Thomas combines his musical insight with hands-on repair skills, ensuring each instrument is optimized for tone and playability. His close relationships with today's top modern makers give him unique insight into their craftsmanship, adding a level of trust and knowledge that's hard to find. Equally important, Thomas is incredibly accessible--offering flexible trial appointments and genuine support throughout the selection process. At Bay Fine Strings, quality, trust, and personal care come together to create an exceptional experience for string players of all levels. Highly recommended. read more

I originally was going to Thomas to have a posture peg installed, but ended up making some other adjustments on my cello. He offered ideas to improve specific needs like wolf tones, and out of balance tone quality from weather, string changes, or who knows? My cello is sounding so much better after Thomas made some diagnosis and came up with creative solutions. He also did some great rehairs that when coupled with an amazing new rosin he recommended, provided great results. While having so much success everything else, I also had him touch up some worn areas on my cello which also turned out well. Now more than a professional colleague, he is also a friend to support the care of my professional instrument. He is worth a visit just to get an honest assessment and some possible creative solutions for your instrument, that in the long run might save you money and time...and he's just a great guy to work with! read more

I purchased a viola bow from Bay Fine Strings a few years ago, and I couldn't be happier with it. I worked directly with Thomas Yee, who provided exceptional service. The bow itself is fantastic. It produces a very clear sound and is beautifully balanced, making playing a joy. The purchasing process was also excellent. Thomas mailed me a selection of bows to try (I believe we did two rounds), and he was incredibly patient and genuinely committed to ensuring I found the perfect fit. It was a smooth and enjoyable experience, and I really appreciated that Thomas wasn't satisfied until I was completely happy with my choice. I would highly recommend Bay Fine Strings to anyone looking for a quality instrument or bow and a personalized, caring purchasing experience. read more

I've had a truly wonderful experience both purchasing and repairing violins at Bay Fine Strings. Thomas, the owner, is incredibly knowledgeable and patient--he took the time to show us a wide variety of instruments and answer all our questions. My son purchased his first full-size violin from Thomas, as well as his first solo instrument, and each time, Thomas made the process easy and enjoyable. Just this week, he carefully repaired and cleaned my son's violin, demonstrating once again his dedication and professionalism. I always feel confident knowing we can return to Thomas for any violin issues, upgrades, or accessories. I highly recommend Bay Fine Strings to anyone looking for quality instruments and exceptional service! read more

I reached out to Thomas by mistake when I tried to call another store. I feel this was fate, since he was able to help me find a "beginner violin" to bide my time as I recover from surgery. Thomas was expedient, compassionate, educative, and a really kind soul. He was easy to work with. I signed a rental contract for the next 30 days, and if I do like this instrument (never played any kind before) then I intend to purchase it down the road, once life is stable again. I would highly recommend Bay Fine Strings. I'm uploading a few photos because the quality of this violin is gorgeous and deserves to be seen. He said in a few weeks he plans to move his shop into San Francisco. Remember to make an appointment!! read more

I've had an amazing experience interacting with Thomas, the owner of Bay Fine Strings. He was invited to the University of Notre Dame to give a clinic to the violin studio, in which he demonstrated how to adjust specific aspects of the violin to achieve the optimal sound. Thomas is knowledgeable about the pros and cons of equipment on the violins, such as shoulder rests and chin rests. A player can make a huge improvement on their instruments by changing a few items when they take them to Thomas. I would highly recommend Bay Fine Strings to any string players for both instruments, and a personalized suggestion on making the optimal sound based on the given condition! read more

I went to this shop to have much overdue maintenance done on my fine violin and bow and for insurance appraisals on both items. Thomas Yee is extremely knowledgeable and suggested several repairs/enhancements and set up my violin which is sounding and playing better than it has in many years. He thoroughly researched my violin and bow and I am very happy with the appraisals and the professional documents he provided including very high quality photographs. Throughout the process, Thomas was in constant communication and all the work was done within a very short period of time. I highly recommend this shop run by Thomas. read more

I was extremely pleased (and relieved!) to find Thomas Yee and Bay Fine Strings. I had been taking my instrument to a shop I trusted for decades, and when the owner retired, I was very nervous about finding another shop/luthier. I read about Bay Fine Strings on line and wrote to them. I had a very pleasant correspondence with Thomas who arranged for me to come in. It was obvious from the moment I walked in to his shop that he was very knowledgeable, listened well, and, most importantly, had a true passion for his work. I will certainly return when needed, and will send all my friends! read more

Last week I posted on a cello Facebook group asking for assistance finding a rental cello in the San Francisco area. All of the recommendations and places that I was seeing were charging a whole month's rental fee for a cello that was only need for a weekend. Thomas sent me a private message offering his help and services. Not only was he very kind but the price was very reasonable and he was accommodating with times! I received a high quality cello, bow, case and customer service. I will continue to seek services from Bay Fine Strings and can't recommend Thomas enough! Thank you!! read more

I've decided to buy my first cello in my mid-50's and to start lessons. Bay Area Strings, spent a great deal of time with me, as he played different cellos, so that I could hear how different the sound is with each cello. In the end, I went with the cello that spoke to me once he lifted it from its stand. I'm now the proud owner of a Strad Moderne Cello and bow, brand new cello stand, and hardshell case. Truly one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard from an instrument and thank you, Bay Fine Strings, for giving me the confidence to move forward with this endeavor. read more

My experience buying a cello from Thomas Yee, owner of Bay Fine Strings in San Francisco, was outstanding. Thomas was professional, knowledgeable, and patient, giving me the chance to play several different instruments without any pressure or hassle. The entire process felt smooth and enjoyable, and I truly valued his expertise and guidance. Thanks to his support, I felt completely confident in my decision and am very happy with the Ernst Kessler 1883 cello I purchased. Thank you Thomas for being an integral part of my journey back to my classical cello roots. read more

Everything about my experience at Bay Fine Strings was phenomenal, even down to the location and quality of the shop.Thomas is incredibly knowledgeable and expert as a musician, luthier, and vendor of fine instruments. He made ample time for me and went above and beyond to help me in my selection. I could tell he really cared about the outcome for me. As he put it, he was willing to do anything he could to Inspire me to progress as a musician. Without hesitation, I recommend you work with Thomas for all your stringed instrument needs! read more

Great experience from start to finish. Since I'm based in Boston, I arranged a bow trial by shipping, and everything went very smoothly. Communication was clear and easy, and the bow was packed very well and arrived safely, exactly as described. After trying it, I decided to purchase the bow and have been very happy with it. Overall, the whole process was professional, straightforward, and stress-free. I would definitely recommend Bay Fine Strings to players looking for a good bow or instrument. read more

I am beyond happy with my experience with Bay Fine Strings and the purchase of my new Chagas violin bow! I gave some initial parameters - like budget and desired weight -before starting the trial. Thomas prepared a wonderful set of 6 bows for me to try. He was extremely helpful, patient, and knowledgeable of his craft, and made me feel very confident about my purchase. He also adjusted my sound post to open up the sound on my instrument. String players, you most come here! read more

Went to Bay Fine Strings for a violin and bow appraisal, as well as some instrument maintenance. Thomas was very personal, attentive, and knowledgeable. All of his recommendations and the high-quality accessories he used were right on point and really brought my violin back to its full potential. The appraisal was detailed, included high-quality photos, and even came with a digital copy for my records. Highly recommended! read more

I'm a parent of a young violin student, and although I'm not an expert myself, I really appreciated the help and guidance we received when purchasing our violin. The staff took the time to explain everything clearly, and we never felt rushed. It was reassuring to feel supported, especially as we were making an important purchase for our child. Thank you for your kind and professional service! read more

Go here!! Thomas was extremely knowledgeable and took great care of my violin. Took my violin in after 10+ years of not touching it and he assessed it for what it needs with transparency around pricing upfront, and didn't push to upsell on unnecessary services. Got my bow rehaired and bridge recurved/straightened, and now my instrument sounds warm and resonant. read more

I had a great experience with Thomas. He is a knowledgeable, patient artisan who kindly took the time to explain to me his work, the quality and the rationale behind the process. My violin sounds much better than it has in a long time, as I now have a new custom bridge. Thank you, I wil be back next time I need a repair or help with my violin. read more

The owner was very kind and knowledgeable. I've never been to a shop that felt so personable and informative. Our experience was memorable because he truly cared about finding the right instrument for my son. If you're looking for a violin, I highly recommend this string shop. His passion for the instruments and their craftsmanship really shows. read more