Came here since 20+ years ago. A fantastic shop that always had what I needed for my alto and tenor saxophone repairs and needs. This place is great read more

I've been a customer on and off since 1986! Gary is one amazing virtuoso and a sincere individual when it comes to what you want or need. I've had nothing but tough love from him, and I don't regret anything that he's imparted to me. Gary has something for everyone. From deep pockets to a student on a budget. Such an amazing Luther. Gary personally did a repair on my 3/4 full, and it's just beautiful in sound! Gary won't ever steer you wrong! read more

The shop, Stein on Vine, which Gary Chen runs with an artists's sensibility, is located in a historic setting of its own within the old Hollywood. It's right across what used to be the Musicians' Union. Gary's store, which is truly a place of pilgrimage for music lovers of every ilk, was the home of the vintage Buescher True Tone tenor saxophone I bought there some twenty years ago on the recommendation of saxophone great Buddy Collette. The sound of the instrument Buddy handpicked for me is still a gem. Gary guides you, ushers you, tells you stories of the amazing musicians who have walked into this temple of Los Angeles classical and jazz music history. Once inside, you feel the energy! William Alexander Yankes, PhD read more

I went there to get a new string for a borrowed violin. I know nothing about violins. The man was really cool. He put a couple stings on for me and tuned it at no extra cost. I was very pleased indeed! Street parking was really easy which is a huge bonus in LA. read more

I wanted to have a good experience, I love supporting local long standing shops. Maybe I just visited on an off day but a younger guy working the desk was less than friendly. I came in asking for some advice on beginners drums books to present to my drum teacher. It turned into this dry circular conversation with the guy asking me well what did your teach recommend and me saying he said to pick a few things on my own to present. Needless to say, no suggestions were given to me and the guy was more than happy to end our conversation. I left with a bad vibe about the place and ended up just going online and reading boards to determine my own books to purchase via Amazon. Honestly I would have been happy with even a "here's our rack of beginners books". No bueno experience. read more

Thank you to Gary- an "if these walls could talk" kind of shop. Stopped in unannounced, looking for a hard-to-find accessory and ended up getting to test different ones out to find what I needed. Stop in! read more

Stein on Vine won't feed you a line, but will be mighty fine if your instrument needs a shine. This store was last remodeled during the Eisenhower era. I have a feeling they could assemble just about any instrument from spare parts. There are some instruments mounted on the walls that are clearly "for display only". The store has been in town so long that it was open when the Musicians' Union across the street actually did something for musicians. They also have some rehearsal rooms around back.. or they did several years ago! They were, well, "weathered" even then. The piano was probably played by Frank Loesser, but these days simply is lesser. There is that classic "musician" grit to the space, and there is likely intelligent life living in the walls. Gary, the owner, is a wonderful guy, and he did a bang-up job repairing my violin. It's a cheap student model, so I can't speak to his advanced luthier skills, but I can tell you that he was very reasonable and the fiddle is fixed. The bow rehair was cheap also. He also has supplies, rosin/strings/etc. He seems to have a good selection of instruments for sale. Highly recommended! read more

Great service, great selection, great everything. I came here to get my violin repaired, and got so much more. Gary Chen-Stein runs a wonderful shop, full of beautiful instruments. The place has been open since the 40's and is a hang-out for jazz musicians. Snapshots of their customers and friends, including Stan Getz, Ray Brown, Benny Goodman, hang all over the shop. In addition to repair work, he sells both stringed and brass instruments, music, supplies, etc. Gary is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. While I was in the shop he managed to juggle several customers, while entertaining us all with stories and interesting information. I look forward to coming back and spending more time exploring the shop. read more

Wonderful place. Gary was very gracious with a Midwesterner returning to California...awesome place and array of basses. I might have been a kid in a candy shop. Smiled for an hour afterwards. read more

Stein On Vine - Gary Chen and an itinerant amateur - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Patina. I'm into it. Which is why most of my instruments are vintage, road-weathered and age-worn; they have stories to tell. And so it is with Stein on Vine. You can literally smell the history when you walk in. Old wood, oxidized metal, and just a hint of stale cigarette smoke remnantal of some long gone jazz club. The walls are lined with photos of the legendary musicians who've frequented the shop, a literal who's-who of the jazz golden age. As for the service, it's top notch, fast and fairly priced. The proprietor, Gary, is about as nice as a person can be, and he knows his stuff. I brought in my patina-rich German bass on a Saturday for a set-up, new set of strings and a sound post adjustment. By Tuesday afternoon (a day earlier than Gary had originally promised) she was back in my hands playing better than she'd ever played before. Sure, there are other options in L.A. for bass repair. But I bring my old German girl to Stein on Vine. Like a favorite pair of boots or broken-in Levis, it just feels right. read more

This review is going to by more like a Valentine to Gary, dear, wonderful Gary! Incase you are part of the uninitiated, Stein on Vine is part of LA's Holy Music Tryptic on Vine St. that includes Hollywood Drum next door and the Musicians Union across the street. Gary, the owner, offers rare and incredible service in the noble tradition of a Music store that caters to working musicians. He and his store are a unique institution in the trade and a grand part of Hollywood History. This is a full service music store with high quality and affordable used instruments that you can not find any where else. (If you play acoustic Bass- you probably already know this as your West Coast Mecca.) What sets Stein on Vine apart from other shops & chains is that Gary specializes in same day instrument repair/work and has inherited the ethics, commitment and spirit of this iconic refuge of Music. Gary is a musician in his own right and inherently knows what his clients needs and offers fair prices for his work and merchandise. If you are ever in dire need of a repair or work, Stein on Vine where the miracle you need to happen will HAPPEN! We have used Gary as our Hail Mary pass several times before a session, an audition and performance. He understands the time sensitive and unpredictable world that musicians inhabit and is the MOST accommodating owner, opening up early, staying late and even once opening up shop early to install a pick-up before flying to Taiwan later that day. While you wait as he wields his magic in the workshop, he will entertain you with fantastic stories about his life, the history of West Coast Jazz, the store and whatever courses through his vast knowledge of bass instruments. Be fore you leave, be sure to do the following two things: Ask him to play for you and be sure you pick up a copy of his auto-biography "They Call Me Stein On Vine" -a great read about a delightful master. *swoon* read more

That Chinese guy is a swindler! Be careful when you deal with him. I brought my saxophone to get the cork on the neck replaced. I asked him how much, he said $20. I took his word and gave me a ticket to pick up the next business day. He calls me that it was fixed and gave him my credit card and signed the transaction. I didn't bring my reading glasses but I trusted him at $20. When I got home - voila - it was $30. What a jerk. $10 is not much of a big difference but it was my first time to deal with him and he was recommended by another friend. I wonder how many times he has done this to other clients. This will have to be my last. The jazz music industry is a small community and when word gets around, your business goes down. What a shame! read more

Gary has the patience of a gnat. He speaks with forked tongue. I didn't like his manner & how he handled everything. He rushed me out of there when some other male customer came in & told me they would fix everything on a flute I brought in & I thought that meant redoing the pads etc. When he called me to tell me it was ready I asked what he did, if in fact they did the pads & cleaned it as well as the head cork assembly replacement he said yes but when I got there they only changed the head. He didn't listen when I asked questions & was quick to shew me out of there. He acts like he's the hip cat. Saying stuff like I dig. Gimme' a break & a learn how to give Better customer service. Boo! I would go back if someone nicer were behind the desk. Bad representation... read more

Fred L. Stein on Vine has been around, since I was a kid. I was born in LA and know this area for years. I have known Gary quite well and we both have encouraged each other throughout our friendship. His store is a "historical monument in the age of the jazz era" He is very kind person, and will assist your needs in repair work with experience. He is one of the best jazz-bassist I have known. My request, this community continue to support him and the store. As owner now, he works hard and is dedicated to everything he does. As long as I have known him, he is a mentor and concerned. I have purchased over 5 brass instruments ,using them in jazz and gospel music. I encourage you,and the public, young musicians to come and come to the store and support Gary. " He is honest ,up front and helpful, and willing to assist your needs in musicianship.The place may look old, but the history inside this store "speaks for itself" with pictures of musicians who came to the store, or may have drop by to say hello to Gary, is well worth it!...In all sincerely, Stein on Vine has been around for a long time and will continue by faith! read more

The absolute best place for all your Double Bass needs. Gary is the most knowledgeable and helpful person I've encountered in the music biz and he remembers all his clients. He also does excellent repairs at a very reasonable price read more

Amazing place! Simply amazing. There is soooo much history in this place and the owner is incredibly nice and had awesome stories. You'll definitely feel starstruck here. There are mostly upright Basses and Violins, but there seems to be tons of stuff for just about every instrument. Definitely worth checking out!! read more

Called a week ago to ask if they bought used instruments. The man on the phone said yes and asked what instrument it was. I said a flute and he told me to bring it by for them to see so they could price it. Brought it by and a man sitting at the register, looking totally bored, wouldn't even look at it. He said they weren't interested as their business is very slow. Wonder why it's so slow. First guess doesn't count. Never go there again. read more

The best music instrument shop in California. Extremely knowledgeable and equally helpful. The walls are lined with pictures of the music royalty that have been through and bought the instruments that make those great sounds. Worth a visit for any serious player or lover of music. Gary Stein is a great successor to the founder, Maury Stein. He's kept the musical integrity without losing the fun. Some places have instruments, this place has tone. read more

Simply the best and nicest music shop I have been in ( and I have been professional for 20+ years). Gary's basses sound deluxe, feel great to play, he is a knowledgeable and helpful person, generous with his time, and has a seemingly total command over instrument repair, which given that he has a degree in composition from Berklee, is nothing to sneeze at. SHOP HERE! read more

IThis is one of the most well known instrument repair shops in Los Angeles for a reason--it's an incredible shop. Gary's service is excellent!! He is friendly, his prices are more than fair and he has rare and extensive expertise of many instruments. No matter what level of a musician you are, you are treated with respect and your instrument will be taken care of with the utmost care. I am VERY selective with where I take my instruments and this is the only place I trust and would recommend to others. Do yourself and your instrument a favor--see Gary at Stein on Vine. read more

I bought a violin with a missing bridge. I take it in for repair. He quotes me $20 dollars for the replacement. I thought "great" since I paid $20 for the instrument, it just seems sensible. I came back to pick it up and it was $60.00 ! He neglected to add labor costs to my quote. Been in there for various items over the years. He's always kind of shifty. Never looks me in the eye, very short with "some" customers. I guess he reserves business fairness to his repeat clientele. Which is sad, since I wanted to be a return customer, because I live nearby. And besides now I go Lisa Gass in Silver Lake. She works on stand up bass and Violins. Plus she's straight up and honest. Customers like that... read more