Testimonials

It's a lovely place managed by lovely people who are very knowledgeable in the instruments they service. I will 100% be going back for all of my repair and or alteration needs.

Matthew Lee

Yesterday I received the "refurb" carbon bow with black Zarelon. (Below is a review of it which I sent to my cello "coach.") It is AMAZING!! I would like to send to you my favorite wood bow for a re-hair with the same (black) Zarelon. If you use testimonials at all, feel free to edit and use the below review as you wish!

Zarelon bow: It came yesterday around noon, so I've had a bit of time to play it. What I ordered (from Peter Zaret & Sons, Cleveland), was one of their "refurbished" carbon bows, with black Zarelon. $100. It took about 15 seconds for this to become my favorite bow!! Big round sound, hardly any bow scraping noise. The usable dynamic range is SO great that I could feel my playing improve minute to minute as I became accustomed to what the bow can do. Gentle, very quiet playing is possible; while it will burst out as aggressively as you want immediately!

It is slick stuff out of the box. However, to my surprise, it rosined very easily, and once "saturated," I was able to wipe it down and remove excess. That is the point where it started being magical! The fullness and roundness of the sound was startling. I am so astounded and delighted with this.

I do plan on having them re-hair that wooden bow with the Zarelon. Of my wooden bows, that one makes the cello really ring, much more than others, so the combination of that stick with the Zarelon should be incredible! I had begun to want more from the instrument to the point of kind of looking around on-line for the next step up. The Zarelon has given me that next step up for a couple hundred (once I get wood bow done) rather than several thousand. I like that!

The biggest thing is the ease with which it plays! I find that the mental energy which normally has been spent on bow sound production is now able to be re-directed to other things. This may be the same thing that happens with a really high-end "hair" bow, I don't know, but to be able to do that for $100 is pretty amazing. On top of that, the relatively drastic improvement in the instrument's sound, beyond what any string change experiment has been able to accomplish, is simply stunning...if you've never tried one of these, you should give it a shot!

Mark McNeil, West Bath, ME 2/23/2022

Professional, friendly, great information and experience to share. Very recommended! Bows, instruments, accessories, repairs, music, etc.

Larry Myers

Such a good place, I bought my violin there and I am very satisfied. If I could, I would rate this 100 out of 5. Peter is really nice and educated about instruments.

Isaac Bai

Brought my bass in for a minor repair (buzzing on fingerboard) and it sounds and feels totally brand new! Really nice staff and quality is superb.

Taylor Arbogast

Peter is knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. He listens to your needs and works accordingly. I am extremely pleased with the bow, strings, and advice I received!

Alexander Aeschliman

Thoughtful, creative and persuasive workmanship helped me hear the right cello to purchase. Zaret's innovation in bow technology and in sound mechanics for stringed instruments provides a breakthrough in extending warm rich tones and clarity.

Devra Davis

Excellent violin shop. It's been around for a while but I just recently found it. The owner is extremely helpful and knowledgeable on violins and other stringed orchestral instruments. I'm extremely happy with my new violin and rehaired bow.

Nate Kelmes

If I can give more than 5 stars! Mr. Zaret and staff are super friendly and knowledgeable. Made recommendations of choosing appropriate cello for my son. They offered us several cellos to try and select one that's compatible with my son's current playing. Welcoming environment and non intimidating as some string shops. We are so glad that we found Mr. Zaret's shop and will definitely return for future needs.

Jessica Sun

I’m on tour with a band and at one of our shows my cello fell over breaking the neck. I was devastated and had great concern as we had another show the following day in another state making it impossible to leave my cello anywhere for repairs for any length of time. They got it done overnight. Wow! They even loaned me another cello for the night for free. I can’t praise them enough! Thank you! Thank you!

Rebecca Vera

I bought an instrument off eBay and it was damaged during shipping. Peter Zaret and Sons Violins did an excellent job fixing my instrument. Every step in the process was seamless. I received a fair estimate for the work, and the work was completed in a reasonable time frame. Peter and his staff members were all very professional and kind. They even replaced the strings for me, as I requested. I was so excited to pick up my instrument and take it home to play, good as new. This place is a hidden gem. I would highly recommend taking your instrument here to get it fixed! Their luthier service is top notch.

Feris Azam

Drove 2.5 hours to have my violin worked on. When Peter heard I had driven all that way, he said he would work on it that day to save me from driving back and forth!

One of the nicest luthiers you will ever meet. He took the time to find out what I wanted done to my violin, explain what he was going to do and what the cost would be.

I ended up playing a violin that he made with his bass bar invention installed, I bought it on the spot!! This man is genius!!

Sounds from his violin were better then some that cost 10,000x more then the price he was charging for his violin. Someday his violins will be famous. It takes my breath away every time I play it.

If you're looking for a luthier to work on your violin or looking to buy, you have found the right place at the right price.

Roger C.

Dear Peter,

I want to thank you for helping me select my Wolfgang Raab 16 inch viola I love playing it. You always come to mind when I pick it up and I just saw your video playing the Telemann Concerto one of my favorite pieces. Your carbon bow is perfect with my viola I rarely put rosin on it and it brings out such a rich clear tone. I pray you and your family and staff are well during this difficult time of this pandemic. I want to thank you for all the kind and helpful points you offered me along the way to find my viola. It is people like Peter, who make the world a beautiful place and inspire others in music.

Warmest Regards,

Alana

Dear Dr. Zaret,

Just a note of thanks for the violin exchange this past weekend. It has made a significant difference to my playing already as I have not had to use my mute and I can clearly tell when I am playing quality notes and songs do sound better. The violin with the tonal enhancement does have a more vibrant sound but I am not at the level where the “sizzle” is not a distraction.

I am glad we did not modify the bridge. Less curve is a slight adjustment but each time I play there is less of an issue. Besides, it is now easier to play two strings.

The Galamian book is great and I have already made a couple of common sense changes that will be helpful and I am just starting the chapter on the left hand. I wish I had known about this book when I started lessons a year and a half ago. So far I have found it to be well written and a must read.

Your shop is not just a store. Every time I have been there I have learned something from you and your employees and that is what makes Zaret a destination for both quality products and services. This virus has been difficult for everyone and since the beginning of March I have had to self-teach. Fortunately I took accordion lessons for 9 years as a youth and I understand the process and have lots of patience. I am looking forward to lessons with my teacher, Nancy Perillo, who can help clean up what I have done on my own.

Thanks once again to you and your professional staff!!

Larry Spilar - Mentor, Ohio

I just received my violin bow. I am a beginner with only 5 lessons into learning. I have a rented violin and bow and researched synthetic bow string and found Zaret and sons. I have to say the bow is absolutely beautiful and even though I am a beginner and don’t know much yet, I will say this bow definitely makes a difference in my bowing technique and the sound is amazing. The balance is perfect. I can’t wait to use it when I receive my electric violin. Thank you so very much.

Sharlene

When I bought my first viola one from you I was delighted with the robust sound and easy response. It was a solid performer through more than 200 performances and rehearsals with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Now in my 14th season with the MET, I’m glad to own another one of your violas. Peter, your ingenious (bass bar) invention has increased immeasurably my comfort and pleasure in music making, and I’m glad to be playing on your violas exclusively.

Garrett Fischbach, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Hey Peter – I hope everything is well with you. I seriously didn’t think my instrument could get any better, but the improvements you’ve made on it are mind blowing. I can’t believe how beautiful the sound is. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let you know how thankful I am. Thanks soooooooooo much!

Keisha Cassel

You know, Peter, I grew up in Texas where men generally are reserved and don’t use terms like “wow.” I got my violin today. The notes pop out of it like an old Italian instrument. If there is a better sounding $5000 violin, I have never come across it. Thanks.

Perry Combs

I can hardly quit playing my new violin to send you this email. I love my new Wolfgang Rabb with bass bar. It is absolutely amazing! I thank you from my heart. I have also printed most of your articles and have them in my “P.Zaret” file.

Marlee Penebaker

Our granddaughter Reece’s progress since she has been using the Roman Teller we purchased from you with your bass bar is incredible. Her motivation has increased, and she has become increasingly excited about her music. Her playing has markedly improved, and she has won positions in all-county and all-state orchestras.

Paul Shirley, Winter Garden Florida

“I just wanted to let you known how great my bass with new Bass Bar has been sounding. This is a picture of me recently performing Paganini’s Moses in Egypt variations with my youth orchestra, and all I can say is, “Wow!” My 1807 Hornstainer filled the hall with no amplification while maintaining its warm, deep tone. Even the harmonics were clear from the back of the hall. Thanks again for your quality work.”

Ryan Yarnel

Our 8th grade daughter, Libby, competed at the DEMTA (Douglas-Elbert Counties Music Teachers Association) competition last weekend. She came in first place, but I thought you would especially enjoy the note the judge wrote at the bottom of the judging sheet: “Nice sounding cello!” Aaah, but we already knew that, didn’t we? Thanks again for your totally awesome bass bar.

Jeni & Libby Murphy

We are amazed at the quality of sound that comes from Maggie’s violin considering its relative affordability. People in our situation are most appreciative of your ingenuity – we have a terrific young musician but a limited income. Before we learned about your violins and bass bar we had no idea we’d be able to afford the quality instrument our teacher was insisting Maggie needed. We will keep spreading the word!

Polly and Duncan Collum

Dear Peter,

What a Genius you are! Thank you so much for putting your latest bass bar improvement in my viola and violin. The viola is dramatically improved:  more power, more even tone, more depth of tone, the A string which tends to be nasal in tone on most larger violas is much more beautiful, and has much greater ease of playing.

The violin which was shrill from top to bottom when I sent it to you the first time has improved unbelievably. It sounds very much like my Italian Gagliano-Antonazzi violin. It has the quality of an old Italian violin!  Pretty soon, you will be producing instruments of such power and tone quality that you will be able to make an ordinary sounding violin to surpass the greatest Strads and Guarnerius instruments.

Thank you, thank you, my dear friend.

Derwin Landis, Former pupil of Jascha Heifetz, and a prominent violinist and teacher in the Los Angeles area

Peter, I can’t tell you enough how enjoyable the 1831 Pasquale Ventapane violin is and what pleasure it gives William to play it. The violin sounded truly outstanding at the suburban symphony concert and brought many comments from the symphony’s violinists! Your bass bar is truly genius.

Bill & Dr. Debra Shaub, William’s parents