My cello was "born" in 1970 in West Germany. I've had it for over 20 years and it has been through everything with me! My cello is a real workhorse and I've played gigs all over the country including many places outside: the beach, farms, orchards, gardens.. I even did a wedding in drizzling rain where I had to walk a quarter mile through the forest without my case. So naturally it has gotten a bit dinged up along the way. It has always played good and although I knew eventually I should take it into a shop, I was never able to afford to until very recently. I came to House of Note with my concerns: some new cracks, the neck was all messed up, the wood needed to be cleaned and conditioned, my fine tuners were so full of rosin I could barely use them, new strings, and my bow needed TLC. Everyone was super helpful at the shop and over the phone. It took about a week and $900 later (totally reasonable considering all that they did and how much work it needed), my cello looks and sounds better than ever!! They even helped me fix an issue with my case so that I didn't need to purchase a new one. I'm new to Minnesota and am going to begin teaching again. Although it is about a 45 minute drive for me, and probably over an hour for my new students, I am definitely going to send them here. Highly recommended for all your string instrument needs! read more

House of Note - So clean and shiny! I love the old wood, it's been through a lot and the markings give it character - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Yes, it's possible some of the people who work here like violins more than they like people. My family has never had anything other than fabulous service, and if you look at St Louis Park Schools orchestra program and how amazing it is, it seems a bit of credit might be due to the store down the street. I accidentally signed up for Suzuki lessons with my kid. So I'm playing violin too! We have rentals and the process was simple. (Our teacher called them and told them what instruments we should get) I went back for a chin rest, and yes the woman who sold it to me was a bit quiet, bordering on cold. I went back in when I snapped a string while trying to tune, and the man who fixed it was reassuring and kind, and fast. They have a stricter mask policy than many places which I appreciate, especially they work with a lot of kids. read more

Yearly cleaning of my violin was done flawlessly. Put new strings in addition to cleaning. The service was good and affordable. This store is dedicated to string instruments. The store is laid out in a nice manner, and showcases all these beautiful instruments. The staff is professional and helpful.. From now on I will be going to house of note for my violins. read more

House of Note - Violin - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

As a cello teacher it is extremely important to me that students are able to fine high quality cellos at fair prices at a shop with excellent service. House of Note is all of those things. Outstanding repair work, instrument tone adjustments. Unbelivable work with fine quality bows. Had an early 20th century violin bow of mine with a broken head repaired, incredible workmanship and reasonable cost. This place has my highest recommendations and I respect them more with each transaction. read more

I have assisted two cello students pick excellent quality cellos from House of Note. The owner, Jeff Anderson has been absolutely outstanding to work with. Jeff has been great with students and their families needing better cellos offering us time and attention and very excellent value for what were were getting. Both students love them. I recently purchased a professional level bow for myself and once again he was absolutely great to work with. I will be recommending all my cello students go to him for instruments, bows and service on their cellos. I really trust him, and he is honest. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Wisconsin to get there but it is worth it! Highly recommended!! read more

House of Note - Certificate for the wonderful Jacques Poullot from House of Note - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I've been a customer for over 15 years now and have always been happy with both the service and the people I have worked with. I've rented instruments, purchased bows, had my current violin repaired and refurbished and purchased any number of smaller things and have always been satisfied (or more). We just today rented my son's first violin, a 1/16 size instrument. The sales person was extremely helpful while we looked for an instrument and walked us through how their rental program works. We walked out satisfied both with the instrument and with the entire experience. Our son was even able to go in back and take a look at the workshop. They were all extremely nice and had everything we needed. I will continue to use House of Note as my primary store for all of my string instrument needs ... even with the two hour drive to get there. read more

House of Note - Here's the little guy looking around the store. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Have rented a viola and a cello for 2+ years. Through size upgrades and repairs I have always found them informative and accommodating.

Felt welcome the moment I walked in (even got a tour of the place to see where the luthers work). Such great customer service and incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff! They truly went above and beyond answering all of my questions, and believe me...I had a lot of those. read more

House of Note has been an important part of my son's musical growth. We've been coming here since 2009 when my son was 5 and wanted to play violin. We started renting, and by the time he had been playing for a couple years, we started buying his violin and bow. In 2009 I had no understanding of how important the relationship is between the parent, teacher, student and violin shop. I'm grateful for their expertise with instrument repair and set up. I rely on their knowledge of music publishers, and their understanding of what my son's teacher looks for in a violin and bow. I remember the first day I walked in, looking for a tiny violin as a Christmas present, and I had no idea what I was doing. I still rely on their guidance as my son is now a senior in high school and is applying to music schools. read more

This is my go-to place for instrument needs and has been for many years. They do high quality work and have higher quality instruments for lower prices (including rentals) than other places around the Twin Cities. I have both purchased and rented instruments here for myself and my kids and have had maintenance done on instruments. The service is mostly very friendly with few exceptions, which I'm willing to overlook for the quality servicer I'm getting. read more

I agree with the other reviewers- the people who work here are rude as hell. Go somewhere else. The first time I went there, the older gentleman was very rude and condescending. I think he treats minorities worse because when a white family walked in, his tone and demeanor changed completely. In fact, he stopped helping me and turned his attention to them, while I was still standing there. Another time I went there, I interacted with the older lady and she was just as horrible. She yanked the instrument case from me because she said I did not unzip it properly. Then she announced to other employees in the store how I did not know how to take care of my instrument. They laughed! I was just shocked and embarrassed. Who treats their customers like that? There was only one time when I was treated normal and that was by the younger lady. She doesn't typically work the counter but it was busy so she stepped in to help. She was actually very nice. They should have her working the counter all the time, only one who knows how to talk to customers without being a total jerk and coming across as a racist. I hate hate hate going to this store and would not recommend any minorities to go there. The minute my contract is done, I am done with this place. read more

The service was VERY rude from the older gentleman that tried to "help" me. They lost my business tonight.

Best Place in the Twin Cities area for anything string related. All staff are friendly and helpful.

We've spent over $2400 in rental fees over six year period. I called to see if they would waive 2 months because my husband is out of work with no income due to a cancerous tumor. NOPE! No can do. Not a thing except to offer me a used violin to purchase for $400. I just said we had no income. Strange place. read more

I brought my viola in because it was having some issues. I was told there were no shop people in but the guy would take a look at it. He told me it was fine and he didnt hear anything. I would have just brought it back when there was a shop person there but the guy then proceeded to tell me how he thought I was probably just using too much rosin and that was what I was hearing. What? Then he started going on about strings and rosin for quite awhile. I took it to another shop and they quickly diagnosed an open seam. If the sales guy doesnt know then he should have just said to come back. I dont need a lecture about rosin usage. I have been there a couple times and the staff are not very friendly. If I was getting good service I wouldnt mind so much. There are many better shops in the metro both higher and lower end than these guys so you are covered going elsewhere. read more

I purchased a used cello from a private party for my daughter who was just starting lessons. Took it to HoN at the recommendation of her teacher to get the strings replaced. When I returned, they informed me the bridge needed to be lowered and reshaped and the nut needed to be shimmed. (I could not even tell you where the nut was or that a cello had one.) The thought that went through my head was - great I got a lemon and now I will have to pay hundreds more to get it to play well. I was shocked when I found out how little they were going to charge me to do the work. I had to take the cello with me for a lesson, then brought it back for the work. Not only did they do all the work but also glued the top down where it had started separating and worked a ding out of the neck- pointing out where it was and to keep an eye on it as it may cause more problems. Same total cost as the original quote. Again, I was shocked. How can such specialized craftsmen charge so little? While they are not exactly convenient from Hudson, they have earned my business. Do they fall all of you like salespeople at furniture stores, no. Is there a certain "stuffiness" that others have mentioned, perhaps. But as a clueless dad who is trying to enable his daughter to learn cello, they are a wonderful company. (As a second hand recommendation, the professional violinist wife of my daughter's former piano professor (different daughter) moved to Idaho recently. On a trip back to the cities, she took her bow to HoN to get it re-haired. She was that impressed with their work.) read more

My violin was purchased here in 2005 and I've been coming to House of Note since then for repairs, cleanings and bow rehairs. The staff can be reserved but is always very accommodating to me. I think it helps that I'm a music educator and already know what I'm talking about when I come in. Paul Dahlen (a wonderful fiddler in town) repairs my violin and I always love his work and craftsmanship. read more

I have taken a number of violins (five) to House of Note over the years. Lyle has always helped me. The work has been great, the cost has been reasonable, the advice has been informative, and the service has been warm and friendly. I can't speak for some of the poor reviews here, but my experience has been "three thumbs up" with House of Note. I am an amateur musician without a $100,000 instrument, and having been to other strings shops, I can honestly say that House of Note feels like a place where regular folks can go without feeling like a fish out of water. As far as I can tell, House of Note serves the needs of professionals and avid amateurs alike. My small interactions with non-luthier staff has always been nothing but pleasant. I really like this place. read more

To all, you must keep in mind this is a lost art. Many in arts are eccentric and reserved. I have now purchased two violins for my Daughter. Although she is still a beginner at 9yr s old, she has a good ear after 3 years of playing. I find that with patience and respect we have had a very favorable experience at House of Note. They have treated my daughter with respect and helped guide us in our purchases. Thanks to the Bulgarian ;) who helped us upgrade to a very fine Violin. My daughter feels proud to play this new violin. you helped guide us in the right direction. And for the record he felt the less expensive violin sounded best to him.... we will be back again for our next upgrade. read more

Rude people both in person and on the phone. Talks down to you. I took my business somewhere else. Bad experience and waste of money.

I initially was extremely impressed with the lady who answered the phone- she seemed intelligent - she knew procedures etc - I quickly became irritated during the call she asked who would be coming in I told her it would be my kid. She asked her age. Once she found out how old she was she then informed me she would only be allowed to see certain cellos. I'm like what happened to x y and z she said is not old enough to have them unless you buy it out right- I'm like what??!!! My daughter has been in cello less than 3 years and is already playing book 5 Suzuki and she plays Bach suite 1 - She made me so incredibly angry I could not even get passed driving the hour plus to look at the 1 cello that she would be allowed to see ((if you don't know this place will gather the "correct" cellos for you. " I even contacted a professor from Mankato to help look for a cello for my daughter I told him I contacted places in the cities and was met with rude individuals - he knew Instantly I was referring to this place and this person who answers the phones. If you can get passed attitude and rudeness they may be able to help - I would rather deal with a company that I can trust to keep me as a life long cello buyer - unbelievable - family owned is not always friendly family owned read more

The reason that I am writing this review is for the TERRIBLE service that I have received at the House of Note located at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Not only was the older gentleman, as Maggie G below stated rude, he is also completely dishonest with the things that he says when you rent an instrument from him. Please go somewhere else if you do not want to be lied to! DO NOT GO TO HOUSE OF NOTE!! First and foremost, the owner of this place is very unprofessional in the way that he connects with the customers. I strongly believe that the way that I was treated was not only unprofessional, but almost borderline racist with the way that he communicated with me. When I called the owner on the phone, he spoke to me as if he could not understand what I was saying, even though I had made a previous appointment. He asked me to repeat myself multiple times (even though I am an English language teacher) because he could not "understand" my non native accent. When I arrived at the shop, I asked the owner if he could help me find an instrument that is not too expensive. He decided to make fun of my family and I by stating the fact that all the cheaper instruments originated from Asian countries. Not only was it rude, but also disrespectful to a customer. Secondly, he will OVERCHARGE you and LIE about the things that he has told you. He has told me that he has saved an instrument for me for a reasonable price. After I arrived at the store, he immediately told me that the instrument I have asked for is gone. Afterwards, he decided to charge me for a more expensive instrument. I persisted on asking him if the instrument that I wanted was still there and he denied it many, many times. The funny thing is that after fifteen minutes and seeing that I wasn't happy with the more expensive one, he suddenly pulled out an instrument and told me, "Oh, this was the instrument that you wanted." After that I had taken a closer look, I could tell that he was lying to me and that was NOT the one he had promised me before If the older gentleman was the owner, I really hope that he will start to understand that it is NOT RIGHT to treat people this way! After he saw that my 60 year old mother had a little bit difficulty understanding English, he was very exasperated with her and rudely told me to translate what he said. I cannot believe that anyone could treat someone elderly this way. There are so many other places that you can go, such as Quinn Violins in Minneapolis or Schmitt music if you do a little bit of research. I have never felt more verbally abused and mistreated in my life when paying for something. DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO FEEL DISRESPECTED AND BELITTLED! read more

My daughter and I brought my daughter's cello in today to determine what her options may be since she doesn't use it anymore. She bought the cello and bow from House of Note in 2006 which was supposed to be a step up from her first cello which was purchased brom House of Note. She used it for 4 years of high school orchestra plus one year of orchestra at college and many other musical events. Among the options we asked about was a consignment. The older "gentleman" who talked to us was very rude. He had no interest in seeing the instrument. He was dismissive and condescending. He gave the impression through speech and facial expressions that the cello they sold to my daughter was beneath them saying they would not take an instrument on consignment that was worth less than $5,000 and that they rented instruments the same as they sold as an intermediate cello to my daughter 7 years ago. I will recommend against anyone going to House of Note for anything in the future. read more