If you're looking for a violin shop, I cannot recommend Ken Su Violins enough! Both of my children rented from them for two years, and the service was always top-notch. It's a wonderful family business run by people who truly love music. We recently visited to return our rentals and purchase a violin for my daughter. Ken and his daughter were so helpful and patient. They helped us find the most beautiful instrument and were very mindful of our budget, offering us the best options and pricing. It was such a great experience from a business with a lot of heart--highly recommended! We plan to be lifetime customers as long as my daughter is playing. read more

This man that works there was very rude and condescending, my brother and I went there to check out violins but we were greeted with a terribly rude attitude. We were confused, and he treated us as if we were trouble or we were robbers, he was almost making fun of us and saying we couldnt afford his products. Would never go back. read more

This afternoon, I went to the shop for an emergency with my child's violin. The owner was kind enough to help us at no charge, even though I offered to pay--he said it wasn't a big deal for him. My son has been playing the violin for a year, and we tried one of their rental violins, which has a very good sound. It's definitely a great place for renting, highly recommended! read more

Came here for a violin bow re-hair. Worked with owner directly, He was extremely patient and carefully looked into my bow with care and explained many things before proceeding with the service. The speed and quality of the service was great, the bow was finished on time and the the re-hair turned out great. He also had me try the bow for a while before accepting my money and leaving the shop. read more

Soooooo rude!!!! Don't go here. Terrible. A total waste of time. I came here for a violin repair. The guy was so rude and said he doesn't repair violin strings - I should just repair it myself. read more

I was in a rush and did not see the ring door bell sign. Called and the man answered himself and was able to figure out my mistake. Ken was very nice and helpful. I know nothing of violin so he had to explain the different types of string. I didn't realize he is an award winning violin maker. When we need to size up, we will definitely come back. read more

My old violin which I have not touched for a few years has some issues need to be fixed. Ken provided some options to me, however, per my very tight budget and his super busy schedule, he decided not to fix my violin himself, but he gave me some suggestions and a couple of names of other violin repairers. I tried his super glue trick at home, and I can play my violin now. read more

It's too expensive and rude to customers. I'm changing the place. Not worth it. Hope they learn from th He review. read more

Ken is a master Violin and cello artist. His instruments are works of art. They look, sound and feel amazing. If you want the best instruments, visit Ken. read more

Ken went WAY above and beyond to fix a very tricky issue with a broken cello bow for me in 1 day - giving it back in time for my son to perform with it. Ken's helpfulness and resourcefulness / creativity in fixing this issue without damaging the bow itself was incredible and some of the best customer service I've gotten anywhere. Ken has a new loyal customer! Highly recommend! read more

Ken Su Violin - KSV - Broken screw in cello bow that Ken fixed! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - San Mateo, California

The luthier helped me trying different violins and gave useful tips/recommendations. He also gave valuable maintenance suggestions. Overall it's very pleasant to purchase a violin from him! read more

We went in for purchasing bigger size violin, Henryk, the employee, didn't let my daughter tried on any of the violins, insisted that we trust him for picking the violin and pressured us to purchase. We didn't realize the violin is a poor quality one until my daughter played it at home. Went back to Ken Su for return the next day, Henryk insisted that my daughter did play the violin before(how is holding the violin for sizing considered playing?). Ken Su then acted hostile in front of my kids, BLAMED me for not trying the violin. My kids had been renting and then purchasing his violins & viola for the past 5 years. I thought we could trust him that all his instruments are of good quality. We will not be going back. read more

Very friendly. I walked in the door with my rinky dink violin not knowing they made world class and awarded violins. I knew nothing. Despite my ignorance, I was treated graciously and with a smile. He fixed my violin and even played a beautiful song on it. It made my day! read more

I went into this store expecting to get basic service performed on my viola: rehair the bow, cleaning, check sound post, check bridge, and install fine tuners. I open my case and tell, I'm assuming it's Ken, that I need the bow rehaired. He takes a look at my bow while it's still in my case and says that I need a new bow and that it's not worth rehairing. I packed up my instrument and left his store. I'm sad that the owner conducts himself in such a way. I just moved to the area and was excited to have a shop close by. I will be making the effort to go to Roland Feller in San Francisco rather than go back to this establishment. He has treated me with respect and has always provided excellent service even though I'm not a professional player. I strongly recommend you do the same. Please note that I'm not some paid reviewer or some confederate. I didn't want to make an appointment, drive to the city, find parking, and then walk through a somewhat questionable neighborhood with my instrument. But honestly it's going to worth the effort to go to a trustworthy shop rather than this place. read more

I recently purchased a fine violin from LA, but there was some issue with the setup so the sound and response were not at its optimum. I took it to Ken and he quickly identified the issue. He replaced the soundpost, fixed the loose tailpiece and setup the proper string length. Now my violin becomes much more responsive and the sound also opens up by a lot! He really brought out the potential of the violin. The charge was also very reasonable. read more

I really glad my teacher introduced Ken to me. He is really nice guy and very responsible for my violin. Every time I come to SF area, I will go to his shop to meet him and to check my violin. He did really good job to adjust and fix my violin. I am very appreciated him! read more

We will not go back to this business establishment. We thought he was ok until it was time to return the violin. My advice to you if your child needs to rent a violin from this establishment: 1. do not go there 2. if you have to go there make sure you have detailed description of the violin you are borrowing, any color changes, even little damages. 3. take pictures of the violin. The business charged us an extra $150.00 for a small crack on the violin when we returned it. I don't mind paying for the damages that we cause; however we had no idea who made the crack. Was it the previous renter? Was it us? Nobody knew since he did not give us a thorough checkup with detailed description before renting it to us. But the establishment insisted that we did it. Learn from our bitter experience. read more

I went to Ken Su Violins yesterday to buy new strings. He was extremely knowledgeable about my instrument just from looking at it. He replaced my sound post and my violin sounds so much better. Before the sound was "dead" and wasn't ringing the way it had before. I teach violin in San Mateo and always recommend his instruments. They are nice quality instruments for a fair rental price. He also has a rent to own program where the rental money will go towards purchasing an instrument. I highly recommend renting from him because you get great value for your money. I will be back! read more

I have been to Ken Su several times, and have had wonderful experiences. The most recent time, he made some adjustments to my very fine, old viola. My viola sound so much better now, I'm very happy! The sound has become much more open, resonant and speaks quicker. Ken Su has always been incredibly friendly and helpful to me, so I don't understand some of these other reviews. As a teacher, I send most of my students here and believe the quality of his student instruments is quite good, and considerably better than some of the other music store instruments in the bay area. read more

I am a piano teacher in Foster City. Lots of my students take violin as the second Instrument. Every time I recommend my students to Ken , he always help them to choose the best for them, from the size, style, and the price, Ken is always giving the honest suggestion. Recently, in Ken Su violin shop, there is a world well known violin teacher, he is doing the consultation job for all the violin shopper. One of my students went to get the opinion for a new violin, he had 2 free lesson to help his posture and bow arm. Now he is playing freely . The parents are thrilling that they hope their boy can continue to have lesson with him. I highly recommend that if you have children who are taking violin now, give a call and visit the shop, you will have the chance to meet this wonderful teacher there. read more

I started renting our violin and cello since our move to the area 2 years ago. We rented our 1/2 size then switch to 3/4 lately. The 3/4 violin rental surpasses in quality than 2 other well known shops. He offered a 3/4 cello for us to try out. I told him it's not in the same notch in terms of quality as in violin. The next day he found us another cello. The sound is full and rich. Again no cello from the other 2 stores matches up. His instruments are of good quality. He has expansive knowledge in the business of violin and cello making. His English is not proficient thus perhaps may came across as blunt and unprofessional at times. Would go to him again for our full size when the time comes. read more

Always pushing for the higher priced items, pain in the ass, especially in this economy.

I called a couple of weeks ago to get a quote on how much an appraisal would be. Was quoted $35. When I showed up today, and he took a look at my very nice violin, the price jumped from $35 to $100. After expressing that I was just quoted 2 weeks ago that the price was just $35, he told me that was the price then, but he just raised the rate. My guess, when he looked at my violin and saw the maker, is when he decided to raise the price. Not an honest man!!! read more

Called in regarding and order for quarter sized violins for about 100 kindergartners.... told it was okay and to come in the next day... I went there the next day and they told me they had sold them all.....right because when you place an order its Sooo O.K. to just give the merchandise to someone else. Completely UNRELIABLE and the man there the day I went to pick up the violins was EXTREMELY RUDE. for better luck try Bronstein's and B street Music. read more

Shopped aeveral times at Ken Su Violin shop. He is extremely knowledge and skillful. Always provide good recommendation and service. Ken is also highly recommendated by several Violin teachers. I will always go back when i have issues or buy new ones. read more

We rented a very nice violin for 3 1/2 years from Ken Su. We decided to buy our son an affordable violin to get through middle school and return the rental. We were reprimanded when the violin was returned that we purchased a violin elsewhere. Told we don't value quality. I explained to him that we are experiencing a financial hardship and couldn't afford his violins and that we were doing the best we could given our situation. He also yelled at me about putting cheap strings on the rental violin. I had to start walking backwards out of the shop to get him to stop yelling at me. We paid Mr Su A LOT OF MONEY for this long term rental. You would think he would take the violin and thank us for our business. What a horrible way to end a rental! read more

Ken Su - fantastic for adjustments, new sound posts, new bridges. He did a fantastic job on my instrument.

I got a old violin that I had it repair elsewhere but couldn't had it sound right until I brought it to Ken Su Violins, it come back to live. read more

Ken is a master violin maker. He takes pride in his artistry and for almost 10 years, he has provided my children with good quality violins for each size that they needed. 3 of my children play violin and started w a 1/8 violin at 5 years of age (and continued 1/4, 1/2, 3/4) and now 2 of my children are in a full size Ken Su violin. We have an incredible violin teacher that has never ceased to highly recommended Ken Su's violins. He has always let us try the instruments and bows. With his help and our teacher, we have always managed to find the right match and price violin/bow for their ability. I highly recommend Ken Su violins for his great quality, service, and the range of violins for every serious level. read more

Ken replaced and tuned strings on my sons violin quickly and efficiently. His customer service was remarkably friendly and helpful. He seems to be an honest business man. I will go back again if I need anything else. read more

Called on a Sunday expecting to get a machine and instead was told I could come right in. Bow re-hair - soundboard and bridge replacement a very good deal. Was invited to play some gorgeous instruments, including Ken Su's own violin and $8000 bow. No pressure to buy, just a craftsman sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge. I wish I had grown up with a quality instrument instead of the squeak box that was all I knew as a child/teen. read more

Have now gone to Ken Su for additional repairs on a new instrument that was rather delicate and needed careful repair work done. In addition, it needed a new sound post, bridge, tailpiece, chinrest, and strings. After a very interesting 20 minute discussion of the various changes to be made, I left the violin there. Two days later, Ken called me back and the instrument was good to go. It sounded distinctly better and all the changes appeared to be done correctly and as we agreed. When I went to pick it up, Ken spent another half-hour with me, showing me some unusual details of the instrument and pointing out things that in time might need attention. I was impressed both by the repair work, the amount of time he spent showing me unique details that he had uncovered during his repair work, and his clear passion for instrument repair. I've gone to him with other violins, and expect to take future instruments to him. read more

We were looking for 3/4 advanced violin for my son. After comparing more than 10 violins at 3 violin shops, we settled with a nice violin made by Ken Su Violin. Ken is very knowledgable and professional. He also helped us select chinrest and install fine tuners. Ken Su Violin is absolutely amazing. We will come back again when my son is up for full size. read more

I met Ken Su, violinmaker and repairer about 9 years ago and it has been one lucky day when I did...I bought one of his fine modern violins that he personally made and it has been a great joy to play...I also own an old Italian violin and I have had the good fortune of having Ken Su Violins do various repairs and corrective maintenance over the years. My precious, old Italian instrument is in perfect condition thanks to Ken Su. I have found his pricing most reasonable and I have always been more than satsfied with the performance and service. Ken Su has always lived up to his promise. I also am happy with his rehairing of my French and modern bows. When i come with a violin question or problem, I know i'll get the right answer/solution! It is obvious to me that making violins and doing fine repairs is a work of love for Ken Su that goes far beyond just being in business for the business! CMB read more

I bought a brand new violin from ken su violin it was $1650 the violins sound and it gorgeous.His instrument is very hi-quality.

Mr. Ken Su did an excellent job tuning up my old violin from China. His service was well exceeding my expectations and his price was very reasonable. Ken is knowledgable and a true professional luthier with an VSA Tonal Merit Award, and he has also been a friendly and easy person to talk to... I would definitely go back to Ken for my violin needs! read more

I bought a sets of cello strings. Love the tones, Thanks for Ken's recommendation.

Ken is an excellent and knowledgeable violinmaker. The quality you get for the price is unbeatable, even for smaller (i.e., less than full-sized) violins. This is especially beneficial for kids who will be going up in size as they grow up. Whether you come here for purchases, rentals, or repairs, you'll be served well. read more

I agree with aprior reviewer. We brought our 6 year old an inexpensive violin to start with and it needed a new bridge. All we heard was compliants about buying cheap violins and that our teacher should have advised us better to buy an expensive violin. Gimme a break, we're talking six year old boy! He promised the repairs would be done by a certain date and it wasn't and charged a fairly high cost to replace the bridge. If you can avoid it, go to elsewhere, like Emeryville to Ifshin Violins. Unfortunately Ken Su is the only violin shop in San Mateo. read more

Do not rent from this business. I rented a well worn violin and used it once. Upon return of the violin, I was told there was a crack in the violin and now had to purchase it. BTW, the process of renting does not include a scan of the instrument's condition with the customer. $320 later... Rent at you own risk of getting cheated. read more