Featured Instrument
of the Month
This violin is an example of our basic student model, available for $1250. All of the setup is done at Classical Strings. These instruments are excellent for the serious student.
Featured Instrument
of the Month
This violin is an example of our basic student model, available for $1250. All of the setup is done at Classical Strings. These instruments are excellent for the serious student.
Classical Strings News
Steven C. Haas
1418 W St. Paul Avenue
2nd Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Classical Strings Inc. has been operating in Milwaukee since 1990. We offer a full line of sales and services for the Violin, Viola, Cello and their Bows. Our staff is highly trained and we pride ourselves on offering the same level of service to students as we provide to professional players. If you are just beginning to explore the world of stringed instruments or have been a musician for many years, please contact us for all your instrument needs. Our mission is to place quality instruments out into the community and to maintain music at a professional level.
The Guitar Room is our most recent addition and is your connection to some of the finer Guitars and Mandolins in the city of Milwaukee. We carry a complete line of Simon & Patrick Guitars accompanied with the Art & Lutherie Guitar as entry level instruments. Also in fretted instruments we currently have Saga, Kentucky and Eastman Mandolins. We are proud to have on our staff one of the most skilled fretted instrument luthiers around. Call us today for an appointment to try out one of these fine instruments.
Violins and Violas start at $750.00 for entry level student packages, and currently a range as high as $10,000.00 for hand made instruments by such makers as Brian T. Derber. Cellos range from $2,000.00 - $3,500.00 for high quality student level instruments from Bulgaria and Germany. All of the instruments that we sell have been set up to our standard here in our shop. This way we can ensure long term use and ease of play.
We offer fine quality pernambuco bows for Violin, Viola and Cello in the range of $250.00 - $3500.00, as well as fiberglass bows for as little as $50.00. Among the makers we carry are the renowned Richard Grunke, Sebastian Dirr, and Andres Delmont. These makers are well established and their bows have been proven with the test of time to maintain their quality and retain their full value.
Instruments and bows may be signed out for trial, or you are welcome to make an appointment to test them in our Players' Room. Any bow or instrument purchased here may be traded back as part payment toward another item once you are ready to step up.
We offer complete lines of cases from Bobelock and BAM to accompany your violin, viola or cello. We also sell strings, shoulder rests, stands, and many other accessories for the musician. Some music is available, but usually through specific requests by area teachers. You will find our prices very comparable to other stores and our understanding of our customers' needs unsurpassed. Please ask us about special orders and more unusual items.
Bow rehairs are $50.00 with turn around times averaging one to two days, but same day rehairs are possible to arrange. Please call for an appointment so we can ensure you get your bow back as quickly as possible.
We offer a full range of repairs for both instruments and bows; everything from complete outside set up (fingerboard dressing, bridges, sound posts, pegs) to more intensive restorations to include neck sets, crack repairs, and sound post patches.
We also offer complete fretted instrument repairs with setting up your instrument to your specifications being our specialty.
We rent violins ($35.00 per month) and violas ($40.00 per month) for students and parents who demand a higher quality of performance. Our rental prices run a little higher than average because the quality of the instruments in our program is very high, but the price does include all basic maintenance as well as strings, rosin, and a suspension case.
Steven C. Haas has owned and operated Classical Strings Inc. since moving to Milwaukee in 1990. His training began over 25 years ago and covered a span of 8 years under renowned repairman Anton Smith (Spokane, WA) John Ramsey (Colorado Springs) and John Becker (Chicago, IL). From his past experience as a performer to watching his own children exploring music, Steven Haas brings an understanding to the needs of a variety of players that helps him to provide the services our community needs today.
Darren Krzycki graduated from the Musical Stringed Instrument Repair program at Red Wing Technical College in Red Wing, MN. He performs the bow rehairs at Classical Strings Inc., as well as a range of bow repairs from wraps and thumb grips to slide and eye replacement. He assists with instrument repairs and restorations. He brings a level of skill and consistency to his work that is hard to find and we are lucky to have him in Milwaukee.
Korinthia A. Klein is a violin maker trained at the New World School of Violin Making under Brian T. Derber. She performs the set up work on all the new instruments that come through Classical Strings Inc., as well as basic instrument repair and maintenance work. Korinthia also teaches and performs locally. She cares deeply that students in particular have equipment that works well so that creating music is an enjoyable part of their lives.
Garrett Burton was trained in guitar building and repair at Bryan Gallops' School of Luthierie. He is specially trained in restoration of instruments. Garrett performs all fretted instrument (guitar and mandolin) adjustments and also works classical instrument restoration. Ask to see his fine handmade guitars when visiting the Guitar Room.
Linda Binder has been doing reception and inventory work for Classical Strings Inc. since 2000. She has connections and performance experience in both violin and mandolin and can happily field questions from a variety of areas. Linda is even nicer in person than she is on the phone.
The Marquette Interchange (I-43 / I-94 / I-794) in downtown Milwaukee is currently under construction. Please plan extra time for construction delays or detours.
From the West (Madison): Follow Interstate 94 toward downtown Milwaukee.
Take EXIT 309B.
Turn LEFT onto St. Paul Ave.
We're 3/4 mile down St. Paul Ave.
From the South (Oak Creek): Follow Interstate 94/43 toward downtown Milwaukee.
Take Exit 72C - Kilbourne Ave.
Turn RIGHT onto 6th St.
Turn LEFT onto Michigan Ave.
Turn RIGHT onto 5th St.
Turn RIGHT onto St. Paul Ave.
From the North (Mequon): Follow Interstate 43 to downtown Milwaukee.
Take Exit 72B I-94 WEST
Exit 309B, turn LEFT onto 25th St.
Turn LEFT onto St. Paul Ave.
We're 3/4 mile down St. Paul Ave.
