Robertson & Sons in Albuquerque
Concert Hall
Barbara C.
May 3, 2024
I've been using Robertsons for years. When we moved to New Mexico from Philadelphia our luthier in Philly told us not to take our instruments anywhere else. I know I can absolutely trust the quality of their repair work. I've had students get very nice instruments from them. They have the skills to take care of top of the line stringed instruments. I've been very happy with their work.
Read MoreSonja P.
Sep 7, 2019
My daughter wanted to sign up for the orchestra at her elementary school and I was worried she wouldn't be able to being that money is a little tight and we missed the schools rental day because of work but to make a long story short the orchestra teacher recommended this place and I'm glad they did. They were very helpful and made it possible for me to give my daughter an opportunity to be in the elementary school orchestra and to learn and play music.
Read MoreHowie K.
Jun 13, 2016
Queue the violin music. And no, I'm not referring to the sad stuff, I'm telling a love story.You're supposed to be able to mold your kid into anything you want: math whiz, elite athlete, symphony orchestra maestro. Reality: not. Look, it's obvious as we get older, we're just not meant to do certain things. I was pretty sure that, after many years and after many, many more dollars, our kid was not built for the violin. Wasn't her fault. But some marital debates are simply best left unspoken. So I never said it. Thus, we spent the better part of twelve years supporting her dead-end hobby, and now she strums a ukulele in her room every now and then, it's an indie hipster thing to do. The violin sits in a corner, weeping.But we did fall in love with this incredible musical instrument shop, even as the mortgage laughed hysterically at our misspent folly. This place is absolute proof that some local businesses can never ultimately die; string instruments cannot be fiddled and fixed by factory workers or a Walmart Supercenter. The employees at Robertson & Sons know what they're doing. They have a fair re-sale/buy-back program when you bring in your barely used kiddo violin for an upsize, which will inevitably be returned two years later, barely used, for another upsize. They're efficient, too. The interior vibe is absolute Zen; I bet the people who work here live, on average, 15 years longer than the rest of us. And until I learn otherwise, this is the only shop in the 505 that specializes in giving so many kids such uplifting false hopes. Encore, guys.
Read MoreBee C.
Sep 12, 2016
I was interested in learning a violin and someone recommended me to this business. I have been hearing through grapevines about this establishment and the quality of the string instruments they carry. I am now know why this business is alive and well. I was greeted with a wonderful staff when I walked in. Because i have no music background but I wanted to learn how to play a violin, I happened to have a chance to talk with the third son of the Robertson family. He showed me a few options for my interest. One thing I genuienly like about this establishment is that they don't judge. They were attentive to me and answered my question genuienly. I didn't feel pressured to make the decision on the spot. I plan to go back to purchase my very first violin soon.
Read MoreDavid G.
Aug 31, 2018
I would like to thank Barbara and Robertson & Sons for going above and beyond to get me the 'RIGHT' violin for my daughter. She has had 3 so far and the experience has been fantastic. Every time she got a new one she would be blown away by how the new larger size sounded. This made her feel very supported and motivated to take her playing to the next level. She has been playing for 4 years and reached the level of 1st violin in the Phoenix Metropolitan Youth Symphony in division two at the age of 12.
Read MoreAngel R.
Jun 7, 2016
I've been renting from Robertsons for years now and have always had excellent service. They are very professional and the equipment is outstanding. Two thumbs up!
Read MoreNathan B.
Aug 1, 2015
I have had such an amazing experience purchasing and renting instruments/bows from this store. I had purchased a double bass French bow from robertson and sons, I spent about $500. after about 6 months with this bow it just snapped in the middle of rehearsal. The next day I headed to Robertson and sons very worried because I had not insured the bow and I could not afford to replace it. Once I told a sales representative what had happened she took my bow into the back repair room and then came back and told me that they would either fully replace the bow or give me a full refund (in store credit). I am so amazed with how Robertson and sons ensures that you will receive a genuine quality product when purchasing/renting from their store. Overall I am highly impressed with the experiences I have had with Robertson and sons violin shop. Very impressed.
Read MoreJessica T.
Nov 24, 2009
Wow, what the heck? There really are no reviews for Robertson & Sons yet?! Guess New Mexico string players don't yelp. Weird.I've been a loyal customer of Robertson & Sons since I first began playing violin around 16 years ago. They outfitted me with my first student violin at the tender age of 8, and every single violin I have owned since has been from them. My mom got her cello here, every single one of my brother's violas came from here, and all my friends were outfitted here as well for their respective string instruments. They are simply the best!My "serious" violin purchases were made with the help of David, one of the resident experts at Robertson & Sons. Once you are in need of a serious instrument, aka an instrument that costs well over $1,000+ and that you intend to perform on, David is the best resource. He'll consult with you about your needs and concerns, pick out some instruments in your price range along with complimentary bows, and take you to the on-site concert hall (darn good acoustics in there). There, he will perform a mini concert on each violin for you, and you and your family members can take notes on what you like/hate about each instrument, respective tone quality, etc . Then, you yourself get to try each violin while David watches/listens. He provides great, knowledgeable, and honest feedback and is an incomparable resource. With his help, I got a wonderful youngish violin (British, made in 1996) and an awesome bow (B. Roland Arpege carbon fiber, no longer made!). This was over 7 years ago, but I still am so grateful for David's help and expertise. Even though I have lived in California for the past 6 years, my parents still live in New Mexico so I am lucky enough to be able to still go back to Robertson & Sons for all my violin-related needs. Rosin? They got the best kinds. Strings? Ditto. They can even help you decide what kinds to get. Don't like how shrill your e-string sounds? They can help you find a mellow-er one. They can do it all, folks.Earlier this year I went back home to visit my folks for Spring Break, and I took my bow in to get re-haired. Because I no longer play in any strict orchestras with tighta** conducters, I decided to have some fun. I had Robertsons dye my bow hair PURPLE. My bow looks so awesome now, dark purple carbon fiber bow stick with brilliant purple bow hair! It took them a few days to do though, so David was kind enough to send me out with a loaner bow. (Yep! He STILL remembers me and my family, probably because we have given them thousands of dollars worth of business! He even commented on how "grown-up" I am now, it was a very tender moment.) This wasn't some p.o.s. loaner either, it was a beautiful handcrafted French thing which still had the price tag attached. $2,500. Holy cow, you can bet your britches that I was v-e-r-y careful practicing with it and made sure to get a receipt when I returned it! Someday when I pay off my law school loans, I will come back and buy that bow. It was the kind of violin bow dreams are made of....*drool*Anyways, I think it is clear from my rambling that Robertson & Sons is the place to go for all your violin, viola, cello, and upright bass needs. They are just the best. Period. :)
Read MoreMaggie K.
Jul 14, 2023
I have gotten bow rehairs from Marco for years now and every time he does a PHENOMENAL job! The Robertson family (especially Bryan and Stacy) as well as Barbara Barber have always treated me wonderfully- and I cannot recommend them enough :)
Read MoreJohn C.
Sep 16, 2020
I bought my granddaughter a used Gibson violin for $85.00 off the internet for school orchestra. Robertson's charged us $60.00 to put a set of four strings on it. That's a totally outrageous charge for her beginner level violin. It took two weeks to get the violin in for the string change because of their slow response to phone calls for an appointment. Just throw the violin in the trash if it needs strings and buy yourself another violin. You'll be money ahead.
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