Rude over the phone when I wanted to make a last minute booking. He said " I know musicians and they wouldn't do a last-minute booking " Which is untrue because I have booked musicians the day of no problem. He didn't even give me any recommendations and is speaking on behalf of musicians. If you're lazy, just say that next time ‍ read more

I tried to sell my guitar* because the action was too high for me. I learned that the bridge started pulling off the body when I unsuccessfully tried to put it on consignment. I took it to Vessel. He told me the bridge issue was relatively common. He repaired the bridge AND lowered the action on the guitar. Now it is comfortable to play and I don't want to sell it. Outstanding work! When I first visited his shop, I saw Vessel sanding the inside front of a cello he is building. He is an accomplished craftsman who also plays mandolin. This is a Modesto treasure. Bravo, dude! *Alvarez AGE95CESHB Grand Auditorium Artist Elite acoustic-electric read more

Vessel Stringed Instruments - The Vessel Shop - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Modesto, California

What fantastic service I got from Gary. I'm a first-time mandolin player and he fix me right up. Best music store in town.

Modesto has so many great Artisans, chefs, painters, musical talent. Gary Vessel is one of these Artisans! Master wood worker, instrument builder and Luthier! A real Luthier here in Modesto! Gary repaired finish damage on my PRS Core guitar. It is amazing work, i am very pleased. I will miss talking to Gary! Thanks Gary! read more

Vessel Stringed Instruments - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Modesto, California

I am relatively new to the world of music, and in my 30's. I was a bit intimidated to search out information, ask questions, and start my cello journey. Gary Vessel was professional, helpful, and efficient in getting me started. All of my questions were answered. A beautiful cello was ordered and promptly delivered, with effortless communication along the way. He even gave various recommendations for cello instructors in the area, of which I am benefitting from now. Going in to the shop for little checkups/ questions has been quick, friendly and efficient. read more

What a great guy Steve Thomas is! He really took his time and showed what true craftsmanship and excellent customer service look like...friendship. Steve not only made me happy with his work ethic, friendliness, and expertise, but he made me a friend. I will definitely be coming by whenever I need help with my daughter's violin and also just to stop in and say hello. Thomas & Vessel know how to treat people right. read more

I took three violins in to Thomas and Vessel about a month ago for "tuning up" and replacing all strings and bowhair. I'm very satisfied with their work, timing and pricing. I'm so glad to have a store for string instruments (especially violin for me) right here in Modesto! read more

This business is SUCH an integral part of our community that wears its heart on their sleeve. Being a small business during economically scary times, you would think they would take cover and try their best to fend for themselves. But no, they are truly in this for the love of music and our community. An email was just sent to their customers currently renting instruments to say they are suspending rental fees through July to help all students continue their musical education, young and old. Who does that? Steve Thomas. That's who. P.S., Their rental instuments are far superior to other places, in tone, resonance, and condition. They slap on new strings, too. read more

I brought my daughter here and Gary was very rude to her and he was acting very creepy. Dont bring your children here. Langlois on McHenry and Barkers on McHenry is way better than the customer service you will get here. Gary Vessel is the most awful person I have ever had the experience of communicating with. Dont come here because I did and I regret it. read more

Excellent service, knowledge, and selection on stringed instruments. Vessel is a well-known instrument builder. People travel from around the state and beyond for his luthier work. I've purchased two instruments here and had set up work done on others, all first rate. read more

Great customer service. Quick repairs. Lovely place. Would return in the future for service.

I brought in my friend's old guitar--it was having some buzzing on the higher frets. Gary adjusted the truss rod and added shims to the bridge (which improved the issue quite a lot), and was honest with me about the next steps (including price) and how to determine whether removing the frets to sand down the neck was worthwhile. I spent less money than I expected to, and the service was incredibly fast. Gary is also quite personable, so being there during the repair wasn't unpleasant. I plan to take any future stringed instrument problems here first. Thanks! read more

How often are you blown away from the service you get these days? I feel like its been a while since I have walked away feeling SO impressed by the help I received and Thomas & Vessel broke the mold. My 5 yr old has been asking to okay the violin for a year now and I am finally caving and getting her lessons. I know NOTHING about violins and am a total newb. I needed to call around and find out what I need to do to get the little munchkin a violin. First I called a very established business that even I knew of, not having any connection to musical instrument sales. The gal who answered was fine but didn't knock my socks off or anything. I decided to call one more place that had been suggested to me. I called Thomas & Vessel and no one answered so I hung up... But seconds later I recieved a call from Steve at T&M asking if I had called and could he help me. He was so kind and engaged and eager to help that I knew at once that THIS was the shop I wanted to do business with. He even checked into good teacher options for me considering I had said I wanted to start a little casual for the first year as she is SO young and already has a packed schedule. He called me back with suggestions and invited me to come in today to see what size violin she would need. When we arrived at the the shop, Steve was SO welcoming and sweet and engaged all my kids. When he sized my daughter for a violin he made it so fun and special for her. Very rarely do I write Yelp reviews, but I felt the service I recieved today totally earned it. I can't wait to use Thomas & Vessel for my girlie's violin :) read more

I drive 2 hours+ to deal with them when we need something. I have 3 children seriously studying violin/ fiddling. This is where we go whenever we need something. We have used them for repairs, set-up, bows, strings, etc. Plan to shop there for a violin in '15. There are shops closer to where I live, and there are bigger shops in the bay/ LA... but this is where we prefer to go. Both Steve and Gary seem to be knowledgeable high level luthiers. Nice too. They need to build a nice website and do more self promotion so more musicians will find them. Update: We were shopping for a nice full size violin for my daughter with an absolute max budget of $4,000. This was a long-planned purchase and a big deal to us. After trial instruments from multiple high end shops, we bought here. Very happy. read more

All I can say is "Absolutely Awesome!" From restringing my violin and helping me learn how to do it myself to (today) repairing a small crack (which can now barely be seen!!!) they are simply the best!!! They have knowledge and experience, do exceptional work and treat you with respect and curtesy! I will Definitely be buying my next violin here! read more

What a great guy Steve Thomas is! He really took his time and showed what true craftsmanship and excellent customer service look like...friendship. Steve not only made me happy with his work ethic, friendliness, and expertise, but he made me a friend. I will definitely be coming by whenever I need help with my daughter's violin and also just to stop in and say hello. Thomas & Vessel know how to treat people right. read more

The staff is extremely helpful and reasonable. I took my guitar into the shop to get some new strings put on. While all other shops in town were telling me it would take a couple days, Thomas & Vessel took my guitar in and had me back out and playing guitar in about 10 minutes. The best shop in the area hands down. read more

This is a great hidden gem in the middle of Modesto. I moved out to the boonies and was in desperate need of a violin shop when I happened upon this one. There are lessons- strings and piano- offered on the site, as well as high quality violins and string instruments for sell and rent. They construct and apprentice violin making right there, and patiently explain some of the methods behind making and caring for your instrument. They know what they're doing and aren't at all pretentious. Great find. read more

I play the piano, but I've always wanted to venture into a string instrument, So I decided to buy a cheap student violin for less than $300. I didn't purchase it here, however what brought me to this place -- aside from a lot of google searching, was to price check a set of Dominate Strings. They were substantially cheaper! The were also able to answer all of my questions I had about making this kind of jump, as well as giving me tips on how to become more successful in my venture. The store is very welcoming, and beats the crud out of other local music stores in town in terms of Customer Service, General Atmosphere, and Price over all. I don't give Five Star Reviews very often, but when I do, that location deserves it. This is pretty much now, going to be my go-to location for string instrument needs! P.S. Don't go to guitar center for your violin needs. -_-; read more

My bandmate and I stopped at the store a month or so ago and then we returned this past week to get a violin bow rehair. Spent time the first trip trying out a variety of bows... played fiddle tunes and western swing songs on their grand piano with band partner on fiddle. Gracious folks, lovely ambience. Bow rehair is on its way back to Fresno as I write. Karana and Donn, Two for the Road (Fresno) read more

I am extremely pleased with Thomas and Vessel! They always go the extra mile to make sure everything is perfect. Multiple times I've been sent home with two violas for my son so we could decide which one was right for him. The instruments offered here are far superior to what you'll find other places locally. They are also so courteous and friendly at Thomas and Vessel. I feel like these guys are family after only a year of acquaintance. Many thanks to Steve and Gary for your excellent service! read more

This evening, I took my ukulele over to Thomas & Vessel Stringed Instruments. The gentleman who helped me was super nice and I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. The problem is fixed and she plays so very sweetly now. I strongly recommend that you bring your guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, viola, double bass, sitar, dulcimer or hurdy gurdy to Thomas & Vessel. read more

I love this place! I can not be anymore blessed for finding this place. I'm not even close to knowing all there is about violins, but being the mom of a young student violinist I try to ask around and do as much research as I can. After going to a few places and being told that it really didn't matter how good a 1/2 violin sounded because my daughter was only a student and would she going eventually transition to a bigger size. At Thomas and Vessel my daughter was treated as if she was a professional violinist and we received the greatest customer service! The best part is if you buy a smaller violin when your student/son/daughter needs to transition to a bigger size they will apply a 70% credit of the sale value of what you originally paid towards your new violin. read more

I went here today to pick up a new set of strings. I had no idea what I was looking for; I haven't played in nearly ten years, and I learned almost entirely in a public school classroom setting; they weren't really focused on teaching maintenance! The gentlemen here were very kind and understanding and set me up with a decent set of strings. They told me to call or come back if I had problems stringing my instrument myself, which I thought was really lovely. I never felt condescended to due to my inexperience; instead, I felt like I had somewhere to go if I needed advice. If I decide to upgrade from my student violin at any point (or finally buy myself a viola), I will definitely be headed here to get it. read more