David Gage String Instruments

Very helpful. They installed the violin string and even tuned up the violin.

I have owned my Realist 5 (RV5Pro) since 2010 and have been very satisfied with the instrument’s tone, projection and ease of play.
Recently emailed for support and received a response almost immediately. Called, and all those I spoke to were friendly, professional and provided me with great advise.
I’d recommend them 100%. They’re accessible and stand by their product.

I took in my son’s violin since it hadn’t been played in a year and didn’t sound right. Derrick took the time to look it all over, tune it, make a few suggestions for no charge. I never felt pushed into spending any money and thought everything he said was fact based not based on maximizing his bottom line. I ended up getting an «antiallergic» chinrest for both my kids since they have had a reaction to the metal on the chinrests. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it and it cost less than the prices online!
In summary, I highly recommend this place!

Great and thorough repair service, backed with loads of knowledge and great costumer service. Highly recommended, and I would never bring my instrument anywhere else.

I have been going to Gage for over 10 years. I bought a beautiful bow there when I turned 16 and an amazing upright bass when I was 24. They are patient and respectful, which I can not say for the other Upright Bass shops I have been to. Every time I go to have my bow repaired at Gage they have it ready for me pronto or a spare I can borrow. I only wish parking was better and they were open later for when I need emergency rosin or strings.

For bowed string instrument players, especially bassists, this venerable shop is the be-​all, end-​all establishment in NYC when it comes to the repair, restoration, buying, selling on consignment and everything else relating to bowed strings. This shop has been doing business under the watchful eye and supervision of David Gage for 30 years now and the scores of autographed photos of bass gods and legends that line the shop’s walls attest to the fact that this place is an icon of the bass playing world, both jazz and classical.
It’s a large three floor shop with an inventory of bows and instruments that will just blow your mind, but the atmosphere is that of a small one. I’ve bought and sold stuff here and can tell you that I’ve never encountered a dealer who is so personable and ethically above and beyond in how they deal with clients. David, besides being an expert luthier, is about the nicest guy you’ll ever meet and no matter how incredibly busy he is, he’ll always happily take loads of his time to shoot the breeze with you and crack jokes. His two sales staff, Sam and Ben, and his esteemed group of associate luthiers, most notably the inimitable Mr. Sprocket, are all the same way. His wife, Judy Gage who keeps the books and sometimes works the register is also a lovely and gracious lady. Actually everyone there seems like a big happy family!
The bottom floor is dedicated mostly to repair and restoration which is done quite well. After having some work done on my 1850s Tyrolean bass a while back, I took my early 20^th Century Cremonese bass here and was extremely pleased. Once David had finished with them, they both sounded much better and played way easier than they ever had. They’ve both stayed that way too.
The 2^nd and 3^rd floors have mainly to do with sales. As I said earlier, their inventory is extremely impressive and Sam will patiently work with you to arrange the most fairly reasonable price possible when buying, and the most fairly profitable to you when selling on consignment. I’ve bought many gorgeous bows from these guys and I could not be more pleased with the way they always bend over backwards to be fair to both the seller and to me. It never ceases to floor me on how ethical they are when doing business in a field that can a lot of times be very shady, even in the most celebrated NYC shops. I also have three bows on consignment there and I’m confident that I’ll be afforded the same respect and consideration when they are sold.
They also deal with non-​bass stringed instruments and from what I’ve heard, their work on, and dealings in these are also equally stellar. This is always such an uplifting place to visit. I love David Gage String Instruments!!!

Wow. Incredible collection of instruments at a pretty wide range of prices. And it’s worth a trip just to see the place — only in New York. .. The people couldn’t have been nicer, even though I told them up front I was just a tourist, not a buyer.