(edited for brevity)
“This is an amazing violin shop. I wish I had known there were shops like this last fall when my daughter started playing violin. We rented a 1/10th violin from a generalist music store and the instrument wasn't that good. Then it was time to upgrade to an 1/8th size violin for her and I stumbled upon this shop and saw the 100% trade-in value when upgrading. This made the decision whether to rent or purchase a no-brainer, since we are going to be upgrading her violin at least 4 more times!
Jeff is very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about violins and violin making. He was very helpful in our instrument selection process. The instruments I tested were very good, and we ended up with an easy to play and nice sounding 1/8 size violin. My daughter loves it! I wish I had access to an instrument like that when I was 7 years old - maybe I would have stuck with the lessons!”
-a five-star review posted on Yelp.com
“Very great customer service experience with owner Jeff Loen, luthier, who repaired my violin at a great price. He has many high-quality selections of violins from different sizes to rent or buy. A great resources for Cody, WY. Highly recommended!”
--a five-star review posted on Google.com
“Jeff did a fantastic job giving my cello a tune-up, he went into great detail looking over the instrument and pointing out issues I was not even aware of. He also re-haired my bow with good quality Mongolian hair. Very kind person and fun to talk to. The whole job ended up being done at a very reasonable price as well, I will be going back here for all my cello's needs in the future.”
--a five-star review posted on Google.com
“Jeff recently did a wonderful restoration of a violin, essentially in pieces, that I brought to him. He went above and beyond to preserve and give this old one and the bow that accompanied it a second life! I am thrilled that it is opening up/playing beautifully and being admired once again! I would also highly recommend his expertise and inventory for general needs, he has also done quality re-hairing, and new strings for me. I am so pleased to have him here in the community filling a much needed space. Thank you, Jeff!”
--a five-star review posted on Google.com
"He knows and loves his instruments, and as a result provides very personal and high-quality service to his customers.”
--from a classical violinist
“Excellent customer service. Mr. Loen took care of my violin that I had purchased from his shop a few years back and did a thorough check and tune up. Thank you so much for being responsive and helpful.”
--from a violinist
“You take a sincere interest in your customers and your service is outstanding.”
--from an award-winning fiddler
“I just had some adjustments on my violin and two bows re-haired. The service was quick and well done, and the price was very fair. I'm really happy that good Mongolian hair was put on my bows instead of the cheaper hair my (now former) luthier always used. I'm from out of state but will gladly make the trip whenever I need any work done or bows re-haired.”
--from a violinist
“Jeff expertly repaired my cello in a very timely manner. He helped me choose the best options for my instrument based on my budget, my level of play, and the worth of my cello. I enjoyed my interactions with him. I recommend his services!”
-a five-star review posted on Yelp.com
“I will recommend your shop and service to other string players in town.”
-from a player in Ketchikan, Alaska
“I have been doing some viola practicing since returning home today with my new strings. I LOVE the change in string brands, and thank you so much for talking with me about Dominant strings. The Larson A is also nice. Bizet's L'Arlesienne #2 has never sounded this good. I am a very happy viola player!!!”
-from a fine violist
“As I haven’t responded since you overhauled my violin, I wanted to say how much I appreciated all the attention and work that you did! My violin sounds 100% better than it did before, and my play has been much freer because of it.”
-from a violinist
“I just wanted to say thanks for the great violin you rented me! I had my first lesson with it last night and it was amazing the difference in tone and ease of play. My instructor was very impressed with it as well.”
-from an adult violin student
“My daughter is LOVING her new violin and is playing it lots. It's always a pleasure to do business with you, and we will look forward to the next time. So far she is quite thrilled with it. The tone is so rich. She performed for a friend of mine yesterday and it went very well. Thanks again for everything!”
-from the proud Mom of a fine young violinist
“If you need a violin, viola, cello, bass, or mandolin, this is THE PLACE to go! Jeff Loen, owner and master luthier will take good care of you.”
-from a Mom & Daughter duo who perform publically
“I just wanted to take a minute to THANK YOU for taking time today to share your knowledge and your kindness. Your gentle way of listening and teaching holds the same peaceful energy as does the shop, and the beautiful pieces awaiting homes that rest in it. Within a month, I plan to visit again to purchase one of those special instruments. Thank you again for sharing stories and your passion for creating. ”
-from a violin enthusiast
“We want to thank you for your excellent workmanship and expertise on the cello repair. We have so enjoyed doing business with you and appreciate your honesty and integrity. Our daughter who plays violin still cherishes hers and you will be glad to know that it is still in beautiful shape and sounds even richer than when we first purchased it from you. We recommend your shop whenever we can!”
-from a parent of string players
“Your new violin is in very appreciative hands. I'm sorry I haven't sent a note sooner to say how pleased I am with the violin. I am enjoying it more and more every day. You may also be pleased to know that after I left your shop calling it my own, we went to the other shop to return the other bows, and they had two instruments ready for me to try at three times the price. I thought I still had bought the best instrument.”
-from a teacher and symphony Concertmaster
“I am still enjoying your violin. It sounds good wherever I play, and I just love how well it stays in tune from day to day. It has been a real pleasure to play.”
-from the same teacher and Concertmaster, 9 months after violin purchase
“Just a note to thank you for the work you did on my bow. I realize you went the extra mile for me. Thanks so much. You’ll be hearing from me again.”
-from a professional violinist
“Thanks again for your expert job in rehairing my Sartory violin bow. It plays like a dream.”
-from a teacher and performer
“I am very impressed with the level of service and knowledge you provided during my undertaking of looking for a new violin. During my visit to your shop, you were very friendly and patient. Furthermore, you went the extra mile by giving interesting insight into the history and care of the violin. Overall, a wonderful experience and I look forward to doing business with you in the future!”
-from a classical violinist
“I have been very pleased with the quality of service you have given me and my students. Most recently, you patiently walked a family through a violin purchase, helping them make a difficult decision. Earlier you restored the camber on my bow, bringing it back to its original playing capability, and gave me thorough and prompt appraisals of my instruments for insurance. I trust your professionalism, and regard you as a very honest and capable technician”
--from a classical string teacher
“You rebuilt the bow for my violin built in 1902 by my grandfather for his daughter, my mother. You thought it was a good bow, and proved it by rebuilding it. You were right. I wouldn’t have trusted just any repairman with it. I have enjoyed visiting with you, picking your brains for expertise on stringed instruments. You’re a good man and a good craftsman.”
--from a fiddle/mandolin player
“Just wanted to thank you for your fine work on my violin! It sounds terrific! The harmonics ring! You’ve worked miracles on it! I was just about ready to trade it in.”
--from a classical violinist
“I have found your work to be excellent. You have been honest with us in terms of what amount of repair our instruments truly need.”
--from a Public School Fine Arts Administrator
“We purchased two violins and two bows. All have been of excellent quality. He pays meticulous attention to setting up each violin properly, and thoroughly backs up the work he does. He also pays close attention to the quality of the violins he selects to restore, and prices them fairly. Besides restoring high quality instruments and bows, He has a love of the instruments, and takes great pleasure in seeing them placed in the hands of deserving students and professionals. We have always recommended him to our friends.”
--from the parents of two violin students
“When you made changes/repairs or adjustments to my instrument or bow I could always hear and feel the improvement. You have made the single most significant contribution to my enjoyment of and quality of my violin and fiddle playing”
--from a classical violinist
“I had a chance to finally play the violin and it sounds great! Specifically, it seems to have more resonance and sounds a bit louder. The tone seems to ring, as if you opened up something inside of it! The pegs are working much easier and the G is much easier to adjust. Thanks for your magic touch!”
--from a classical violinist
“He’s been a true trooper & help to musicians in our community. He’s been a big help in the repair/refurbishment of two string instruments I inherited—a violin and viola. Both will soon be active as loan instruments to the Symphony.”
--from a Symphony Board Member
“I just wanted to tell you how glad I am with what you did to my violin. I just played Mendelssohn’s concerto with a piano player on a Knabe Grand. My Rocca soared better than any Strad, Guarneri, or Amati. I was just delighted. Thanks so much for your wonderful shop.”
--from a teacher and performer
“He treats each instrument that comes into his shop as his own and gives each the individual care it deserves. You can trust him to be careful with your prized instruments. You will get more than your money’s worth in any repair work done. And to top it all off, he’s a nice guy and easy to work with.”
--from a violin owner
“You carved a new bridge and soundpost for my 1890’s cello. The improvement in sound has been phenomenal! I found your work of the highest quality, and the prices reasonable. You have done work beyond my expectations.”
--from a cello performer and teacher
“Your violin #12 came yesterday. It is just what I wanted and expected.
--from a soloist and orchestral player
“I purchased a Stradivarius copy from you. You were very helpful in making adjustments over the following period of time to adapt the violin to my particular needs. I found you to be knowledgeable about the instrument and meticulous in your work.”
--from a classical violinist and fiddler
“I am writing to express my satisfaction with the excellent string instrument repair work you have done for our Public Schools. Your shop is over 150 miles away, but the quality of your work leads us to do business with you in spite of the distance. You attend to details, point out, and correct problems that could lead to more costly repairs if left unattended. I can recommend you without reservation.”
--from a Music Supervisor, Public Schools
“I sincerely appreciate the work you have done. You really did a fine job. I will recommend you at every opportunity.”
--from a fiddler/violinist
“Your work is most professional and your stand behind your repairs. Several years ago, I was able to purchase one the fine instruments that you had restored. It’s a terrific instrument. You were even able to provide a history of the instrument—interesting. Since my purchase, I have assisted students in getting their instruments. You have been fair and equally accommodating. It is a pleasure to work with you. You are knowledgeable and excited about your work.”
--from a string teacher (Public Schools & private lessons)
“We had a cherished family violin restored at his shop last year. The work was far beyond our expectations. He analyzed the instrument’s problems and knew how to correct them.”
--from a classical string teacher