Not only do we make it easy for you to rent an instrument for yourself or your child with our fair prices, but we are the only St. Louis music store to give you 3 years worth of credit towards buying your instrument. We also include free insurance against theft or damage. Learn more about renting an instrument from Top Notch Violins.

Fill out the rental form online or in store: whatever works best for you. Then you can stop by the store to select your instrument or have us deliver it directly to your child’s school.

We are also now offering contactless violin rentals, as well as viola, cello, and bass rentals.

New violins, violas, cellos, and upright basses from Top Notch.

We are a violin shop conveniently located in the St. Louis area. We carry a full selection of new instruments and accessories at reasonable prices – whether you are just beginning your musical journey or are an advanced player. We’re known for offering 100% trade-in value for any instrument you purchase from us. Learn more about our instruments and accessories.

Our stores are open regular hours (see our Locations page for details).

Updated Music Lesson Information

During the COVID lockdowns we updated our list of teachers in the Music Lesson section. Not only are the list of teachers expanded and updated, but many of the teachers offer remote teaching (via skype, zoom, etc.) options. We have a page for Violin Teachers, Viola Teachers, Cello Teachers, Upright Bass Teachers, as well as Other Music Lessons (piano, guitar, etc.).

Help your student use summer vacation and free time productively!

Photo of a luthier working on a violin in our St. Louis (Maplewood) workshop.

We offer violin, viola, cello, and acoustic bass repairs right here in our Maplewood workshop. Old-school quality and workmanship, carefully done by hand right here in St. Louis. As with our rentals and new instruments: we have fair prices. Our repair page lists common repairs and prices, and we also offer free estimates.

By the way, we don’t use stock-art images on our site: the photo is from our workshop.
Photo of our Maplewood Music Storefront

Our primary stringed instrument music store location! Violins, violas, cellos, basses (and accessories) for sale or rent, along with our workshop:

3109 Sutton Blvd.
Maplewood, MO 63143

Monday-Friday: 11am – 7pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm

(314) 696-2172

2614 Metro Blvd.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Monday-Tuesday: by appointment
Wednesday-Friday: 2pm – 7pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm

(314) 778-9500

Have a question for us? Don’t be shy! Give us a call or send us a message today.

A Video Introduction to the Top Notch Violin Store

Ted’s Workshop Talks

By one of our very own master craftsmen/co-owners

Let’s Talk about Upright Bass Extensions

This article is all about upright bass extensions: why players use them, the tradeoffs to metal or wooden extensions, and even hardware options. Ted also shares how he makes extensions.

Everything You Need to Know about Upright Bass Bridge Adjusters

In this Ted’s Talk, Ted shares about about bass bridge adjusters, covering some of the various styles currently available, along with what his favorite adjusters are (and why).

An Upright Bass Gets a New Lease on Life

Read about a well-loved upright bass that had been through the “wringer” and was going to need to be put out to pasture unless the constantly slipping bridge could be fixed.

St. Louis's Violin Shop

While we opened our doors in 2014, the three of us who own Top Notch Violins and who work here daily have been involved in the music/education/luthier/performance industry all our lives. In years past we’ve worked at various St. Louis Music Stores and knew that we did not want to open a generic violin shop. Rather, we wanted to open a violin store that was run the way we would want it run and one that we would want to shop at! That’s why we are a commission free store with fair prices, and also why we give the most “rent to own” credit of any stringed instrument store in the St. Louis Metro area. Stop by our store or send us an email – we’d love to get to know you!