Austin Strings

I’ve been taking cello lesson with Lori since last September without any prior knowledge to music at all, she is a very patient teacher and is flexible with my schedules.

My daughter has started orchestra and will be learning the cello. I am a trumpet player so any journey outside if the brass family is foreign.
We went to Austin Strings and were very happy with the amount of attention paid to ensuring she had the correct fit as well al the cello she liked (based on looks at this point).
I forgot the list from her school that specified which book to get so they let us borrow their own copy. Turns out it was the right book :-)
The rental (rent to own) plan is great. They also offer 2 free cello lessons with a new rental. We are definitely going to take advantage of this.
Thank you so much for all your help Austin Strings!

I really wanted to give this place 5 stars.
I am no music expert but this seems like a nice little shop that is well stocked with instrumental books as well as string instruments. The place is not hard to find and there are ample parking when I arrived. I liked the store the moment I walked in.
With all that being said… I was at the shop at promptly 11am on a Saturday because I had a scheduled trial lesson with Lori. I am usually not a morning person on the weekends, so it was especially frustrating when I was told that she will not be in until 2pm that day. I was then told that she has been feeling under the weather lately. I don’t know, she sounded fine 2 days ago when we were on the phone. Still, her employee offered to text her while I patiently waited for her for 20 minutes. Until this day (2 days later), I have not heard from her. She could have at least apologized for forgetting me. For this, I give her a big fat ZERO STAR for being not responsible and unprofessional. It’s only human to make mistakes, but you should really make an effort to apologize those that are effected by your mistakes :(
At 11:20am that day, I told her employee at the front that I have other plans at noon that I need to attend to, he apologized sincerely and then offered to help me at least fix my cello’s broken string and get me started on some basics. I didn’t want to make my trip totally not worthwhile so I took upon his offer. He was very patient, easy-​going, and pleasant. I enjoyed working with him greatly and am hoping to take some lessons from him in the future. However, his 5 star service and attitude cannot undo the bitter taste left in my mouth by the unprofessional owner.
2 stars for you. But only because I had the pleasure of doing business with your awesome employee…

Refreshingly warm and contagiously enthusiastic environment… excellent customer service, delightful community to be found at Austin Strings. Best price and terms on rentals, and so much helpful information, delivered with no pretentiousness or disdain for a newbie.

Wow… I was blown away with the care and LOVE of music that this business shares with their customers! Lori and Quintin in particular helped me when I decided to take up the cello after many lost years of «not» playing it. They were very helpful in picking one to rent, until a purchase decision. They also shared with us an invitation to come hear a group of adult beginners that were having a concert that next week. Feels like family at this business, and yet, very professional. I feel their rental prices and purchase prices were fair. After visiting other places in Austin for cello rental, I am VERY glad I went to Austin Strings! Just gotta love the passion that they share with music lovers!

My daughter has been taking cello lessons with Lori for 4 years now and is doing quite well under her patient instruction.
The shop has a nice selection of good student-​quality instruments available for rent or purchase at very reasonable prices. They also carry a good, though not extensive selection of books and accessories.
All in all a pleasant place to do business.

What a difference service makes. I have primarily been dealing with a sweet cello player at this location. I was hunting for a new chin rest and met with a young violinist behind the repair counter. After trying two different styles she sighed and said «this is the best I can do for you, if it doesn’t work you’ll have to go somewhere else.» Seriously? I just left the store.
I may call in advance to see who’s working. Clearly I inconvenienced the violinist by walking in the door.

I started going to Austin Strings around six months ago. I’d bought a cheap Chinese cello online and, after calling all over Austin for the best prices on setup, took it in to their shop. Lori, the owner and main luthier, did an excellent job making a cheap instrument sound much more expensive.
The shop looks like what I’ve always thought a string shop should look like. There are violins, violas, cellos, and basses in all states of finish and repair all over the place. There are lesson rooms in the back where all manner of instrument lessons are going on at any given time. I’m a life-​long musician, and this is the kind of place I want to find in my afterlife!
I ended up buying an EXTREMELY nice sounding Gliga that sounds as good or better than any $ 40,000 cello that I’ve ever heard. It’s a rarety though; I just got lucky. I started taking lessons from Lori shortly thereafter. She’s a very patient, understanding instructor and doesn’t mind working around my schedule.
As far as rentals go, I couldn’t find a place in town that could beat ‘em on their deals. It’s $ 32 a month for cellos, and that includes a hard case and bow. Unless it’s changed recently (which I doubt) you can apply your rental payments to purchase. There was also an 18 months same as cash option for purchase (which is what I’m doing). Of course, the more expensive the instrument the higher the payments for this option. Also, if you’re buying for a child, they can change out the instruments for larger sizes as they grow without losing any ground on the lease-​purchase.
I give five stars for quality, personal service from a small local business that does their best to provide quality instruments, lutherie services and musical instruction at reasonable prices.