Rutman’s Violins

I used to play the violin when I was younger and wanted to start again. The people at Rutman’s were extremely helpful in guiding me through the violin selection process. I had wonderful time there.

I just started learning to play the fiddle and needed a new bow. I got a fiddle for free from my brother, so it is nothing fancy at all. Mr. Rutman was so nice and helpful. He is obviously a very skilled and devoted violinist, but he was very supportive of my trying to learn. He sold me a nice, affordable bow and explained how to take care of it. He also showed me how different a nice, new violin sounds and said that as I improve I may want to consider a higher quality violin, as it will encourage me to keep going. I didn’t take this as a hard sell of any kind, just friendly, experienced advice. I will definitely go back when I get better and purchase a nice instrument from Mr. Rutman. They also have the sweetest dog in their shop named Cocoa.

This is a great store to go to for diagnostics. Mr. Rutman is a great man who is always 100% honest and does try to save you money.
The store isn’t cheap. Repairs are not cheap and neither are the instruments. But if you want a problem fixed and fixed for good, this is the place. Excellent service.
You can also get accessories here; one’s that are hard to find at the bigger stores like guitar center. There is a good selection of pick ups and amplifiers.
The shop owners are always helpful, they are not pushy when you are deciding to make a purchase big or small. It’s a wonderful store with a pleasant atmosphere. I love to go when I have to!
p. s. no whistling

I love the people there! They are very serious about instruments, really good people

I had a bad experience yesterday at Rutman’s. I am a beginner student of the violin. I own a very inexpensive violin that I’ve had in storage for years. I recently put some money into getting it ready to take lessons. Mr. and Mrs. Rutman were somewhat «shaken» that I brought such a sub-​quality violin into their shop. Mr. Rutman seemed to be offended; whereas, Mrs. Rutman expressed more concern for me — that I deserved to be learning on a good violin. She didn’t want me to put more money into this one.
I appreciated Mrs. Rutman’s opinion and advice. I did not appreciate Mr. Rutman’s elitist posturing. If I had been a poor person who just wanted a little help with what I could afford, I would have been hurt and humiliated. That’s not a good way to treat anybody.

Mr. Rutman is an extremely honest and knowledgable guy. Without a doubt this THE best violin store in Boston and possibly in all of Massachusetts.
The selection is a bit small but it has all been hand picked by himself and it all has great quality. Not recommended for beginners as he does not sell student violins. His advice is wonderful, his commitment is exceptional and his products are top notch.
I have been here a few times and plan to go more times. His quality is just so unmatched and I absolutely love it. Also his 100% trade-​in guarantee is just icing on the cake. Return the old instrument in the same condition as you bought it and he will take the price and deduct that price from your next purchase.

I found this shop through Unilocal and decided to go because it has a very good rating. It turned out that the experience is terrific!
I just started to play violin and after a while the E string cuts into the bridge. The E string is almost touching the fingerboard that it barely makes any sound. I brought my violin to the shop. Mr. Rutman is very professional and nice. He pointed out the problem that the projectile of the bridge is too deep that further lifting the string does not help. He suggest that changing the bridge is more helpful but he did not put any pressure on me at all. Later on, he just helped me lift the E string on the bridge. I was about to pay but he said it was free!
I got violin classes the next day, so I decided to bring the violin back to the shop after the class to get it fixed. The price is very reasonable and I will come back to update after it get fixed.
By the way, I am very overwhelmed by a lots of things these days and I am always in a hurry to get things done. When I arrived at the shop, Mr. Rutman asked me take a break and relax. After he said «relax» for many times, his dog came out from the room in the back and sat beside me quietly. He was so sweet and gentle and even rest his head on my thigh as if he could understand Mr. Rutman. :)

I’ve known Ilya since probably 1999 when he worked on my antique violin. I’ve since sent many students to the shop and that’s where all of them end up buying their instruments. The prices are generally better. I also always get my bow rehaired here.
Love the place and the their warm manner. Haven’t had a bad violin from him.

We went to this shop to try out ⁴⁄₄ violins while on vacation in Boston in June 2013. Mr. Rutman was very helpful and passionate about matching my 12 yr old with an instrument that he liked. He also helped him find a bow that was most comfortable and effective in his playing. There was never any sales pressure, nor any pushing on his merchandise. We tried on several instruments including his 2013 Rutman made violin. Actually, the one he made sounded very good, however, we liked another instrument a little bit more. Mr. Rutman followed through with all the necessary repair of the instrument and made sure what we got was in great condition. The repair work on the peg box is superb. He also made the violin project more. The rosin the shop carries is dust-​free and really great. My son also got a little tips on his playing that really made a difference. We wish the shop were in California where we reside. Where else can you find a luthier who is a violinist himself to give you sound advice on your instrument? This is the one! Now my son found his voice in a reasonably priced great instrument. Many thanks to Mr. Rutman’s help. We’re very pleased with the service and the purchase. His wife is also very nice and his dog is really lovely, too bad we couldn’t ship his dog home: P

This is a small family-​owned shop in a strip mall next to a bigbox pharmacy chain. The proprietor was knowledgeable, careful, and very direct. Not rude, just … direct.
While the selection is small, the instruments are all top quality and the owner was proud to point out that he hand-​selects every instrument in the shop and plays them individually before buying them from the vendors he works with.
This is a great place to come if you know your budget and know what you want, but not such a great place to browse and try out new things.

Mr. Rutman is very nice, not arrogant or short-​tempered at all, contrary to one previous post. He figured out what was wrong with a long-​neglected viola in about 5 minutes (the bridge had been put on backwards somehow, and the soundpost was too short and had fallen down).
He explained all everything to me, and wasn’t pushy at all. He reset my soundpost & bridge, and sent me on my way. He recommended that I get a properly-​sized soundpost when it eventually becomes necessary, and I’m confident that when I do, this place will do an excellent job.
Side note: The store is not located up by MIT, as Google Maps would have you believe. It’s actually on the other side of the river, near the Symphony T stop. Check their website for better directions.

I’ve been here for accessories, not an instrument or repairs, the owner (I think that’s who he is) is personable and knowledgeable with his advice.

I was a bit hesitant to visit a violin shop near symphony hall since i’m a newbie, but the experience was not bad at all. The prices are pretty expensive but it is after all Boston. I knew going in after a few emails with Mr. Rutman, that if i got anything it would be their starter violin and I’d have to be approved for credit to afford that. he was happy to let me try out the violin. It sounded really nice, although i had tried out a similarly priced violin at Wood and string the other day which sounded just as nice, and there I could do a rent to own deal. I think this is a nice shop for students and musicians in the symphony hall area, and probably great for repairs, but for me I can do better closer to Cambridge. They are very attentive here though and happy to help.

So, I kinda want the Rutmans to adopt me.
I bought a used violin [from someone else] with the health equivalent of a pneumatic stepchild. I got bridge work done here, a couple snazzy strings, and a practice mute. Mr. Rutman is always so nice when I come in and he runs through the logistics of the instrument since I’m a violin newbie.
He also gives me options that span different price ranges. He doesn’t shove the most expensive products in my face. Here’s a list of services they provide:
VIOLINS * VIOLAS * CELLOS * DOUBLE BASSES
CUSTOM HANDMADE INSTRUMENTS
INSTRUMENTS REPAIRS & RESTORATIONS
NEW AND USED INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE
BOWS * CASES * ACCESSORIES
BOW REHAIRING WITHIN 24 HOURS
They’re nice folks, Mr. and Mrs. Rutman. They have an email address, too:
Check ‘em out. There are tons of music shops in Boston /​Cambridge, but it’s always nice to go to a shop where the people know what they’re doing.

I purchased my most recent violin from Rutman’s back in June. Overall, I was definitely happy with my visit – this is a small, intimate shop, and Ilya and his wife are very sweet. They took great care to make sure that I selected an instrument that was a good fit for me, and at no time did I feel rushed or pressured to make a purchase.
After I told him my price range, Ilya brought out five instruments and several bows for me to try (which was appreciated, but also kind of embarrassing – I was pretty rusty!) After I jammed out for a while on each of my options, he then did a blind playing test for me so that I could rate the sound of the instruments as a listener rather than a player.
After spending a few days deliberating my purchase, I ended up going back and buying a great instrument (I’m constantly getting compliments on its tone), a new bow, a shoulder rest, rosin, and a case that could probably withstand several tons of pressure. All of this, of course, was not cheap, but the prices (especially for the quality of my violin) were extremely reasonable, and my experience, on the whole, was really satisfying.

Love these guys… no matter what i need they have it or they’ll get it. I’ve been playing the violin since i was 8 and no matter how basic or technical my need was, they fulfilled it. new bridge? no problem, exchanged while i waited. mute so that i stop driving my neighbors crazy? 5 options. brand new violin? well, i never bought one from them but their small, intimate selection was superb. i was treated to a small sampling while i waited for the bridge. great place, great staff.