Other luthier from another city told me I would have to take the instrument apart, etc. But once I took it to Mr. Cauer, the problem was solved in under 30 min. Highly recommend. read more

Robert Cauer Violins - Violin - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you live in LA and need a string instrument, this is the place to come. When our daughter was ready for a 3/4-size cello, her cello teacher recommended that we shop at Robert Cauer because she trusts the people here. Because we had a great experience the first time and because of the trade-in policy, of course we came back when it was time to look for a full-size cello and had another great experience. If you're wondering about the trade-in policy, it is as good as it sounds. I wasn't sure if it was too good to be true, but the people here honor their word. It is incredible in this day and age. Everyone who works here is kind and extremely knowledgeable. Make an appointment ahead of time if you can, and be patient. They are very well known and they do get very busy at times, but they will get to you and give you the attention you need. If you have never shopped for a string instrument and bow before, it is a bit like shopping at Ollivander's for a wand. What works for other people may not work for you. To some extent, the instrument chooses you (I mean, not really, but your playing style may suit some instruments better than others). You tell the staff what you're looking for and give them a price range, and they will put you in a room and give you a selection of instruments to try in your price range. They will not try to upsell you or force you to make a decision before you're ready. They will not tell you the exact price of an instrument unless you ask, and really, as long as you have given them a range you're comfortable with, there's no point in finding out unless you're serious enough to want to take an instrument home. Price does not necessarily correlate to what will work best for you. Be prepared to spend an hour or longer assessing your choices. Kids will do best if they're already fed and watered. Robert Cauer came into our room at one point and advised that we could weed out instruments very quickly by just playing an 8-note scale across 2 strings and deciding what we didn't like before spending any more time evaluating the instruments that passed that cut. After that, we had our daughter play scales across all 4 strings (some instruments sound better in the lower register and some in the upper) and then a few bars of music from some of her pieces. Once you've selected an instrument or instruments that you want to borrow (and you should borrow some to take home and practice on for at least a week to get a better feel for whether they will work for you and have your child's teacher evaluate them as well), then you can ask for a selection of bows to try within a price range (they generally recommend 10-20% of the purchase price of the instrument). Then the process repeats :) It can be exhausting for the kiddos. I think we evaluated 12-15 cellos and maybe 15-20 bows each time we came. When I was growing up, I would guess that I only ever tried out 3 violins at one time, so it was a lot for our daughter. The staff really go out of their way to be helpful, and I mean above and beyond. At one point, one noticed that our tire was flat, and another offered to let us use his air compressor. We had a very long drive home so were incredibly grateful to them for preventing what could have been a very rough experience. This place is 100% worth the drive, but to sweeten the deal you could follow our example and top off your time here with a visit to Ululani's (best shave ice in the world, IMO), which is only an 8-minute drive away ;) read more

This place is deserving of the best review- therefore I made a yelp account to do so! We just went to pickup violins for our kids. We made an appointment and it was, firstly, so amazing to be able to go in on a Saturday. I am absolutely not musically inclined. They explained the process step-by-step. It was so beautiful to see them tune, play, and test each violin to find the best within my budget. They explained absolutely everything. We ended up buying ours verses renting, but they even showed why they pick the sizes for my kids. I absolutely adored this experience and if you're looking for a perfect shop, this is the place to go. I even watched the interaction for another buyer of a different type of instrument, and you can tell how passionate they are about music. My youngest is in a very small violin, so it was so cool to even see them play and test out the sounds. I 100 percent recommend this shop to anyone. If you don't live in the area, I assure you it's worth the drive. read more

I have visited Robert Cauer twice now, and I am obsessed. I am a new violinist, and was looking for a place to purchase my first violin. I was intimidated by the idea of purchasing a violin, especially having no knowledge of how to purchase a violin. Going to Roberts store was the best experience possible. They were so kind and patient in guiding me through the process. At my appointment, Samantha (I believe that was her name, she said she played the cello) was so helpful and answered all my questions. The appointment lasted over an hour, ultimately there were two violins I liked, and they let me take both home to test them out. This is an amazing thing they do, to allow their customers to go home and get comfortable with their instruments. After a couple days of testing both violins, I knew which one I wanted. However, I was ready to fully commit, but their store has amazing renting to buy options! They also have the best trade in value. They have very competitive rates over all. Oh! And Jonathan is also amazing. During my second visit I had so many questions regarding shoulder rests, rosin, violin cases, and Jonathan let's me try all all their shoulder rest so I could find the one I felt the most comfortable with. This type of in store experience and quality is hard to come around these days. I'm so happy to have found this place ! Can't recommend enough. read more

Robert Cauer Violins - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The best decision we made by purchasing our daughter's cello from Robert. He was so helpful in assisting my daughter with the different cello options. Since purchasing the cello we have been in to get little things adjusted and fixed. The staff have been so kind, knowledgeable and patient with every adjustment and fix. They really do stand behind their instruments. Bravo! read more

Today my daughter's violin teacher suggested this shop so we came to pick out a full size violin. There are many beautiful violins and other instruments here and we got one we loved. Robert is very kind and gave a lot of tips on how to handle the violin well. It was our first time chising one violin out and he told use how to decide and pick. He is very professional and the same as the the other workers there. They were very welcoming as we saw them with oher customers as well.This is a great place to get your string instrument. read more

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We have been coming to Robert Cauer's store for now 7 years. You can see from the progression of attached photos how my son started with a 1/4th size cello, grew into a 1/2 size cello, then a beautiful, 3/4th size German cello, and now having grown in height as well as playing ability, finally a ~100 year old, German cello that sounds amazing. Robert, and my son's cello Teachers, have patiently guided these purchases. Aside from the amazing selection, and exemplary service one has come to expect at the venerable Robert Cauer Violins store, is their amazingly fair trade-in policy. Everything is well-documented and organized, and explained upfront. This is how we were able to graduate from size to size, while not having to spend crazy amounts of money to get amazing stringed instruments. I, wholeheartedly, and very, very strongly recommend this amazing musical instrument store for your purchase, rental, and repairs. They also have a wide selection of cases, bows, and accessories. read more

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Three stars for being very responsive to my inquiry and friendly over the phone. Minus a couple, as I won't be able to get the work I wanted done on my cello at this shop. If you did not purchase an instrument from here or an accessory, you'll most likely be advised to go to another shop in the area for your needs. They seem to be extremely busy and instruments sold from them take priority. I was given several valid explanations as to why the job couldn't be done...with the exception of "you can do it yourself" which I found odd and I would be uncomfortable messing with the components. I'm new to playing the cello, and trying to find a reputable luthier shop in the area for all my needs going forward. There are many other respectable luthiers in the LA area as recommended, so I would check them out first if you need a repair or anything needed on your instrument. read more

My daughter has been playing violin for 4 years and now my son for a year. Every time we visit Robert Cauer violins we are helped by Jonathan. He is kind, patient and extremely knowledgeable. The experience when we walk through the doors always leaves my children in awe as there are violins everywhere. The atmosphere can seem to make children stay on their best behavior however Jonathan makes you feel very at peace and at home. He shows my children where they keep the cellos and helps them feel like they can be comfortable and themselves. It is literally in an old house that they converted into a Violin shop. Its very cozy and warm. Robert Cauer himself is quiet yet polite. I definitely recommend buying or renting from here. They are reasonable and most of all just want your child to have a great instrument to play beautiful music. read more

Robert Cauer Violins - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Very knowledgeable, patient, efficient, and thorough. My daughter's violin teacher recommended this violin store and I can see why. It was a great experience! Thank you so much! read more

Do not buy a violin without visiting Mr. Cauer first! I'm an intermediate player looking to upgrade my violin. I've been scouring the earth for the right violin. The hour+ that I spent in Mr. Cauer's shop was the most educational and productive time in the whole process. I took home two of his instruments to try out and they have been amazing--comparable to instruments I'm trying at well over his prices (including over twice the price). Mr Cauer spent much of his precious time giving me personal attention. He was only absent when other shoppers needed his personal input and when I needed time to play the instruments on my own. He was with me most of the time that I was there, playing the instruments for me and explaining to me the intricacies of the violin. He was kind enough to play every instrument for me (I reckon we must have tried almost 30 instruments in all that day) and to compare each one with the main instrument I was considering buying at the time. Most notably- as soon as Mr. Cauer deemed the instrument I had brought (an instrument on loan to me from one of his competitors) superior to the one he was testing, he immediately put his instrument away and picked up the next option from his extensive selection. He kept going back and forth from my instrument to one of his. It was the most efficient and sure way I can imagine to get a clear sense of the relative quality between instruments. Sometimes it only took a single note and he would move on. One registers immediately that it is Mr. Cauer's primary concern to get the customer the instrument that will best suit him/her--I never felt like I was being "sold" something. I was being helped. Mr. Cauer is also a man of great integrity. He never made a negative comment about the competitor's instrument that I had brought with me. I had my teacher (a professional violinist) play 10 instruments at my house ranging from $3800 to $8500--he ranked the two instruments I have from Mr. Cauer among the top three! I have not decided yet but one of Mr. Cauer's violins in particular is on my top two or three list as well and I'm seriously considering buying it. In short, even if you are already close to deciding, I strongly encourage you to visit to Mr. Cauer. You simply will not know what you're missing otherwise. read more

Highest end strings institution in LA. They sell and repair violins violas and cellos for everyone from LA Phil musicians to upcoming strings savants like Adam Mandela Walden read more

Very special place! Mr. Cauer is an incredible & insightful luthier with a great selection of instruments. Recently bought a $200 (carbon) bow that sounded/played better than much more expensive ones feel to me. It is clear that these people value their craft and genuinely care for their clients - Thank you! read more

Robert Cauer Violins - Violin shop - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My daughter needed a new violin and Robert Cauer Violins was highly recommended. We stopped by on a Saturday morning to see what was available. We were let into the house (which has been converted to a store) and were asked if we had an appointment. Yikes, we did not! Even still Johnathan assisted us in a quick appraisal of my daughters current violin. Robert also joined in an brought us to another area where they brought out a variety of violins ($600-$2000) for my daughter to try. Robert took his time and gave us his expert opinion on the styles that were brought out. My daughter tried at least 15-20 violins and picked 3 for Robert to give his opinion on. Surprisingly he picked the middle range violin, and not the most expensive one. He based his decision on the sound quality, rather than the price. In all we were at the store for at least an hour and half and we never felt pressured to buy. However Robert and Johnathans customer service went above and beyond, so we felt more than comfortable buying from them. Overall it was a great experience! read more

We are super happy with our purchase We are starting a band and we were looking for great sounding violins and at a great price We wanted a consult with us there ( we got lost) and arent from the area but they were kind enough to wait and provide excellent service And we greatly appreciate it The young man was super knowledgeable and kind Definitely recommend!! read more

Robert Cauer Violins - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We used to get our violins from a local violin maker but came to Robert Cauer at the the recommendation of our violin teacher. It's an hour's drive with normal traffic. We call ahead to make an appointment on a weekday morning. The shop is located in a little cottage with very limited parking. When you come in, you will be assigned to a room. The rooms are filled, and I mean FILLED with violins, violas and cellos of all sizes. You will tell them what size and budget you are looking for and they will bring a selection for you. We have always visited with our violin teacher to select violins but if you don't have your teacher with you, they will assist in the selection process. They also have a workshop at the back for repairs and the like. We have bought several violins from Robert Cauer and will continue to do so. These are the reasons why I am a loyal customer: 1) Wide Selection: For what seems like a tiny shop, they have a seemingly endless supply of excellent violins and bows. We have bought three fractional violins from them and they always bring out 10 or more for us in our price range. In other shops I have visited here and in the East Coast where we started our violin adventures, we have not had such a range especially for the smaller sizes. 2) Musician-centered: Selecting your favorite violin from 10 or more options, then selecting your bow is not going to be a quick affair. They let you take as much time as you need. (Granted, I've always visited on a weekday morning, so it's not been so crowded). If you aren't happy with the initial selection, just ask them and they will bring more! Just take your time. And if you need to bring it back home to see how you feel about it or let your violin teacher listen to it, they let you do that too. 3) Great customer-service: I was a little intimidated initially because I had heard so much about how top musicians would get their instruments from Robert Cauer. I expected a little bit of snootiness but they have absolutely no airs. Everyone is so warm and helpful even to little violinists who have no clue. They just want you to choose the right instrument. And if there is a problem with the instrument you bought from them, they will diagnose the problem for free and fix it (fees vary depending on the issue). We have had to have minor repairs and adjustments made and all this was done for free. Mr Cauer himself fixed one of the issues and he was so patient to answer all the questions my curious 9 year old was throwing his way. At the end, he even demonstrated a few cool things to us. Jonathan was also awesome in taking and answering questions. 4) Expertise: The folks at Robert Cauer know what they are doing. They were able to diagnose and fix our instrument problems quickly. I trust them to take care of our instruments if there are any problems. 5) Prices: I don't know how Robert Cauer's instrument prices compare to other shops but they will work with your budget and we were able to get really great violins within our budget at prices that won't break your bank. You can trade-in your violin (purchased from Robert Cauer) for full value (subtracting for any repairs and preparations they need to make the instrument ready for sale again). I know the other standard accessories are sold within normal range. I believe they are fair in their prices. I must admit that it is a pain to drive all the way to Hollywood but I have made several trips there and I think it is absolutely worth it. I know other families in my area who also make the drive there. I highly recommend Robert Cauer. read more

I'm back with an update, because I learn something important every time I come here, or I have a pleasant surprise. Recently was both. I would not have thought you could get a really good deal at a high end shop like Robert Cauer. Well, wrong. I got a great deal on my cello here a couple of years ago, which I thought was a fluke, but I brought my friend recently to shop for a 4/4 for her teen son who outgrew his 3/4, and again, a beautiful-sounding, full, rich, mellow cello. Very very beautiful sound and at a very good price. Now, it is a workshop cello, not factory, so it was not a factory price, but still, a VERY good price for a cello that could honestly be his "cello for life", it sounds that good. To trial the instruments, tune 2 of them then play a scale on each in quick succession and decide which you prefer. Keep that one and put the other one back. Then tune the next one and do the same, on up until you find one you love. Robert will give you personal service and make sure you are fully informed on various aspects of instrument ownership if you are new. So happy I brought my friend here. read more

They were helpful to a violin noobie like me. I was worry at first cause I don't know how to look for a good violin, but I trust them. They let me keep 2 violins (I was considering to choose one) for 1 week, which is super nice. My violin teacher will help me to choose the one that suits me the best. read more

Robert Cauer Violins - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

It would be hard to imagine less than five stars for Robert Cauer Violins. Though my experience has been limited to a few phone calls, and one auspicious visit, the place and the people are so obviously The Real Thing. You may need to work something out between yourselves regarding the schedule (closes at 5p weekdays, and Saturdays fill up quickly). It took a few false starts on my end to get in there, but finally the stars and strings aligned. The gentlemen there were extremely helpful and knowledgeable -- both on the instruments as well as the care and handling of same. It doesn't hurt to have a reference before coming in -- not sure how you'd hear of them otherwise (barring Yelp, of course). The parking lot is not huge, but the selection of instruments appears to be plenty big. I didn't feel rushed, though it's easy to see why there is a steady, gentle trickle of people seeking violins, cellos and the like. If you're at all interested in buying or renting, you should definitely check out Robert Cauer. read more

Went back to Robert after visiting Morey's violin bc a friend highly recommended them too. But Morey lack the fine details in helping us select the violins to buy/rent. They took out a few violins & left us to tune it ourselves:( So we went to Robert on the same day & made our purchase. He personally show us 10-20 violins within our price range. Tune, put shoulder rest on each one, Gave us time with no pressure sales to test it all. Then made recommendations that was best for my children, not his pocketbook. Love this place. And a wk later, we even receive a nice letter with a little mini violin as a gift thanking us for the tip about the answering machine over the holidays. They forgot to record. read more

Robert Cauer Violins - Letter thanking us for the tip on Yelp. Very sweet & professional gesture:) - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Outstanding service, extremely accommodating, expert and direct advice. Highly recommended.

Wide selection on different sizes and price range. They never rush you and let you try as many as you want.They are honest and never hard sell anything. Their trade policy is great. The price of cases is excellent. By appointment only and the parking is little tough. read more

I'm upgrading to a nicer violin, and Robert Cauer and his team could not be any more helpful, supportive and friendly in helping me in this endeavor. No question is too silly, and they do everything possible to make sure you are happy with the instrument you select. They also stand 100% behind every instrument they sell. I cannot recommend them highly enough. read more

This message is mainly for returning customers looking to come back for instruments, but others can take it as a reference. I don't like to write comments, so it took me a long time to decide about writing this for everyone to see. I have been an old customer at this shop for 10 or so years and had bought many instruments from this place before COVID hit. So I haven't been back to this place for many years too. When I was last here, Robert was still in the shop working and talking to customers and helping everyone out. It was a very pleasant time there with excellent service and attitude. The shop was also packed with people looking for instruments. However, when I returned to the shop this year, what I saw was sad. Even when it is during weekends, there are way fewer customers than I had experienced before and the quality of service went down. Not to say that the shop is bad or anything, it is just a comparison between the past years and this year was very big. I got into a room and during the one hour, the person only brought me about three to four instruments in total for me to try. This was definitely not the quality I had when I was last here so I was very disappointed. Also, the person who helped me out seemed uninterested in selling me anything when I said I was considering this instrument. They just gave me a price and left me there to consider for myself. I know that this place doesn't take bargaining, but this type of attitude is definitely not how I experienced before and not what I expected. I know it's a long review, but it is all I feel. I'm not saying that you should not come but if you are recommended by friends wishing for good quality and service, then this place is probably not what it was before. But still, if I had written this a few years ago, I would definitely give it five stars, but not now or in the future. read more

Robert Cauer Violins is a wonderful shop for all of your string instrument needs. I came here a few months ago in the market for a new bow. I had a budget set aside of about 1k for a new addition to my collection, but wasn't too serious about getting a new one quite yet. Jonathan was helpful and educational in a sense where each player can rock their own bows, expensive or not. I've been doing extra well with carbon fiber bows, so I asked to test a few out. He gave me a range of bows from about $300-$800 and a few wooden bows, just in case. At the end of my trial period, I ended up not purchasing any bows, but rehairing two of my older bows and getting a new tip for my wooden one. I really appreciated that there was ZERO up selling at Robert Cauer. They also hold the highest integrity that I've seen in a shop and are careful not to give you any misleading information so that you can make your own decisions. I will be back to Robert Cauer for all of my violin needs and recommend them to beginners and professionals! read more

THIS COMPANY DESERVES 20 STARS !!! I have had dealings with numerous violin shops all over the United States .... New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco ... and all I can tell you (from a lot of personal experience and that of my piers) is that this shop is Truly something VERY SPECIAL - They are simply THE BEST of the BEST !!!!! .... from their incredible selection of hand picked instruments for musicians at every level (up to and including instruments from many of the greatest luthiers of all time ) Mr. Cauer and his staff are EXTRAORDINARY - All deserve 20 STARS !!! Nothing less. Over the years I have acquired several magnificent instruments from Mr. Cauer, after trying out literally hundreds of instruments and bows from innumerable sources, and all I can say is their selection is superb, not only for the requirements of top musicians, but for musicians at all levels ... and equally as important, if not more important, they go way WAY out of their way to help their customers and to make sure all their needs are met and their questions answered. When it comes to getting the most out of an instrument - at all times - in all conditions - and maintaining the instrument in top condition - they are master ARTISTS !!! The time they will take with you to make sure your instrument is at peak performance is unheard of... Whether it's making fine adjustments to the bridge, sound post, testing different combinations of strings etc. ... Mr. Cauer and his team are the da Vinci's of their field ( pardon the heightened descriptor , but in this case it absolutely applies ) which is why so many professionals, collectors and foundations have entrusted their Stradivarius, Guarneri, Amati's (etc.) to their care ... and this expertise is reflected in the exceptional quality of their student and amateur instruments ( AND THEIR PRICES ARE SO REASONABLE !) ... and once again ... they are VERY GENEROUS with their time and extensive knowledge and this attention is the same whether they are helping a beginning student or a touring soloist - This company is truly Exceptional. They are PASSIONATE about what they do ... which is probably why their support is unrivaled (at least in my personal experience and that of a lot of other people I know). Now let's talk INTEGRITY - this is where they literally take my breath away. Again and again I have seen them actually stop less experienced musicians (or their well intentioned parents) from buying instruments, blows and other items from their shop that were excessive and unnecessarily - forfeiting hundreds and often thousands of dollars in the process. On several occasions, with the proverbial checkbook on the table, I have witnessed Mr. Cauer dissuade top musicians from buying a very expensive and/or rare bow or instrument because it was not best suited to their particular needs ... convincing them to wait a little longer for them to provide the best option ... possibly risking tens of thousands of dollars of lost revenue in the process. So, not only are Mr. Cauer and his staff consummate experts in all facets of what they do ... they also have REAL VALUES and genuinely care about what is best for people ... a rare gift. This company is SUPERB !!!! Believe me - if you have to drive several hours to get to them -THEY ARE WORTH THE DRIVE ! If you live out of state or out of the country -THEY ARE WORTH THE FLIGHT !!!! read more

I've been around OC trying different violins, but this is my favorite shop by far. First, Robert is extremely knowledgeable, and in talking to him you'll hear a fair assessment, not just facts that will sell their instruments. Absolutely no pressure. I learned a lot just by talking to him, When I brought my violin for comparison, Robert took a look and did a few quick adjustments that made my violin sound better! When I was looking for accessories, he also wasn't pushing for the more expensive or profitable, but what is practical. This really is as honest as shops get. Robert really is someone who is trying to help you make informed and make the best decisions, even if it's not the most profit-maximizing strategy. The only downside to this store is that it's a bit of a drive for me, but it's definitely worth it and I'll be back for my future violin needs. read more

This is truly one of the most amazing, and interesting, places you will go to for any string instrument (cello, violin, viola...) The service is top-notch. Everyone from Robert to his associates are available to help you find exactly what you need. The did everything they could to work within my budget (even though my daughter ended up falling in love with a cello way outside what I originially wanted to spend) and let us try out cello after cello after cello with no pressure. This is a charming, wonderful experience for anyone in the market for a cello, violin or viola. From the tiniest child to the prodigy, and even people new to the musical world. read more

Robert is a highly respected individual in the world of violins and cellos. He has done expert appraisals and repairs for rare string instruments. He is the "go to" person in evaluating authenticity for the L.A. legal system. All of this I found out per a show on lost rare items. As far as a business is concerned they are highly people friendly and have terrific customer service. At first I thought they would be on the snooty side considering that they deal with such expensive instruments. Nothing could be further from the truth. Robert and his staff are all very friendly and helpful. Not only to me but have shown kindness to my son who is six since he was five. Being this age he asks lots of questions and they answer him in a non-condescending, friendly manner. We've been to his shop a few times as my son has grown rapidly over the past year and has had to trade up twice now from his initial purchase. Each time they greet us with a smile and help us with courtesy. Their iinstruments are varied in price so they have something for practically everyone. Most importantly the quality of their violins are high regardless of the price. That is very important. In dealing with their trade-up program they are fair and reasonable. I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in acquiring quality violins and cellos. As for credit cards they accept M/C, Visa and Discover only. By appointment only due to the size of their parking and shop. read more

Every time we visit, we leave happier than we entered the small yet cozy house. The environment is welcoming right from the beginning when someone opens the door, and you can tell your experience will be a good one. I went here to get my first viola and case, and it was one of the most comfortable experiences in choosing the right viola. And just today, I was getting my bow re-haired and I asked the helper if I should get my viola touched up and revarnished. We did ask a few places before coming to RC the same question, and they said we should. But RC was the only place said it wasn't necessary, effectively saving me a whole lot of money for the time being. He gave an explanation for why I don't need it now due to the original antique look of my viola. I was struck by his honesty and he told me I could get it done at a later time. Also, we got a new case, and the person showed us a variety of cases and answered all of our questions fully. When our credit card wasn't working, he told us to take our time and he waited patiently until we got it working again by calling the company. At the end of just 20 or 30 minutes, I came out with a brand new and awesome case, a loaner bow until my bow is rehaired, and feeling really great. To anyone who needs any viola/violin/cello/musical help or advice, this is the only (and I mean the ONLY) place you'll get high quality service! read more

Robert spent the better half of a morning with me as I chose my new instrument. I have never given a 5 star review. Robert deserves many more stars than 5! a.) service: 5 stars b.) quality of cello: 6 stars c.) sound: 8 stars d.) time Robert spent with me (and I wasn't a BIG $$$ customer) 1 Million stars! Thanks Robert. I love the cello and look forward to saving enough for that bow! My best, Sam read more

If you are a serious string player, then this is ultimately the best place you will ever find. I've been playing on my violin I got from here for years now, and anyone who has picked it up has said it has a beautiful sound. They let you try out all different kinds of violins before you find the right one....the one that matches you. An instrument should be an extension of your body, your soul, and here you can find it. This shop is nothing short of amazing. read more

If you are looking for a highly reputable musical instrument dealer, look no further than Robert Cauer Violins. In a field where reputation is everything, Mr Cauer's reputation is of the highest order. Having recently purchased a cello from his shop, I now know first hand *why* his reputation is so good. When purchasing a musical instrument, in many cases, the buyer is heavily reliant on the advice of experts. In this regard, Mr Cauer's expertise is as good as it gets. He freely offered his time and expertise to ensure that my purchase was everything I was looking for. And it was. While I was benefiting from his expertise, I observed many return customers enter his shop to purchase instruments or to have repairs done. It was more than evident that his establishment is a place where people have full confidence in the folk with whom they are dealing; namely, Mr Cauer and his highly professional staff. Robert Cauer Violins has been built upon the virtues of honesty and integrity. Add to those virtues a level of expertise that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere in the US and what you have got is a business that deserves nothing but praise. Robert Cauer Violins, thank you so much for your service. I cannot recommend you highly enough. read more

I wish I could give a better star rating But no I would not recommend Robert Cauer Himself deserves less than one star But I chosen two stars because other 2 workers Helped us and they were polite and helpful Did not keep his words after some time he forgotten what he promised or he changed his mind While he pretended to care he definitely doesn't want to help other than himself . read more

I've been going to Robert Cauer for about 15 years and they have the best instruments. The people who work there couldn't be nicer. I send all of my Violin students there and they are all super happy with their instruments. read more

This yelp is LONG overdue... I bought my first professional violin, a "Fiorini", from Robert Cauer in the early Eighties pre-music school. Since then, going now on 30 years, I have been a regular customer for all my needs for repair, bow re-hair, violin and bow purchases, and I have recommended him exclusively to all of my students. His repairs are excellent. Long ago, I took the violin I bought from him to Korea and due to the extremely humid weather, my violin's seams opened in many areas. It was a nightmare. When I arrived back to LA, Cauer restored it and did an excellent job. My beloved "Fiorini" was like new and sounded just as beautiful as before. Regarding repairs, you might check with him first if you have the need for a larger restoration because he has more requests for repairs than he can handle. Cauer treats everyone with the utmost respect and equality no matter if the customer is looking for a $500.00 violin or one for $100,000.00. There have been many times during my visits to the shop that I have witnessed Cauer treating young students with the same amount of respect, time and concern as the next customer waiting, often an LA Philharmonic musician or A list performer. Another aspect that I like about his shop, is his trade back and rental credit policies that are among the most generous anywhere. My violin student parents are all very satisfied and have assurance that their investment will be long lasting and safe. His prices for instruments and bows are very competitive with other shops. His prices on cases are often lower than what I found online. However, I have never been able to get strings from any violin shop as low as I can buy them online and i recommend going that route. If you are hesitant about putting the strings on yourself, Cauer will put them on for you at no extra cost but his charge is a little higher than mail order prices. I have been to other violin shops all over the world and I have been to most of the shops in Los Angeles, and by far in my opinion, Cauer Violin Shop is the best one both in service and inventory. read more

All the staff were so kind and helpful! They helped me get a new cello to rent and gave me loads of tips and instructions.

I wrote an earlier review of Cauer's shop which was pretty critical (see below). I do have to compliment his skills, though. I just encountered someone whose violin was run over by a car (!). The violin had been bought from Cauer's shop and he and/or his staff repaired it so well that it was basically like a new instrument again. I saw before-and-after photos and the result was amazing. BRAVO. I think the person's insurance covered the repairs, so no out of pocket monies had to be paid, thankfully. But, if you ever have a damaged violin, I can definitely attest to how well Cauer's shop does in fixing things! read more

We've been looking for a cello for the past 2 months. Both my daughter and her teacher have fine taste in quality, and are particular, so we've had to go back and forth to Robert Cauer Violins' many times to find the perfect one. Fortunately, they have a large selection of instruments from standard/basic cellos to collector pieces. I was very impressed with Robert. He knows string instruments inside out. He is detailed, patient, and keen in teaching. He was very helpful in helping us find 'the one'. He would describe the differences/intricacies between each cello. He allowed us to try it at home, to feel comfortable with the instrument before we purchased. He backs his instruments, so we feel very comfortable that we can always go back if there were any issues. I liked how Robert genuinely wanted to help us find the right one and not just try to make a quick sale. He's been around since 1980, so that says a lot already! He's dependable, reliable, and this shop is THE PLACE to shop for string instruments. I highly recommend you take a look. read more

The sign of a good business is one that goes out if its way to make up for a frustrating experience. We went to upgrade and upsize my daughter's viola. When we arrived for our appointment, the place was packed and the staff was running around trying to attend to the needs of too many customers. We had to wait longer than we would have liked and did not get the attention we felt we should have. But Robert and his staff was very apologetic and gave us a free set of strings to make up for it. I was happy that they recognized the importance of good customer service. Then a few days later, I got a voicemail message from Robert apologizing again for our bad experience and saying that they would be changing their procedures for walk-ins and appointments so that this experience won't be repeated in the future. It was very thoughtful of him to follow up like that. So even though our experience at the store was frustrating, Robert's attention to customer service and willingness to bend over backwards will keep us going back. read more