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We are pleased to announce that Givens Violins has recently partnered with Synchrony Bank to provide financing for our customers to help make in-store purchases of instruments and bows affordable and convenient. Parking is available at: The Plaza Ramp and the Hilton Hotel Ramp (11th Underground Ramp).
Services
It is the mission of Givens Violins to acquire, sell, and restore fine violins, violas, cellos, and bows in service to the professional and discriminating string-playing community. We provide repair with an eye toward preserving and protecting instruments for succeeding generations as well as toward solving the immediate needs of their owners.
The goal of the Claire Givens Violins workshop is to provide expert technical information and restoration in order to maintain the optimal sound and response from your instrument or bow. We are committed to achieving the highest quality standards in restoration and to communicating clearly with our customers.
Claire founded Claire Givens Violins, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1977. Drawing on her knowledge of music, musicians and fine stringed instruments, Claire Givens focused on building a business to serve the special needs of string players by offering the finest instruments, bows, information and restoration services.
Dipper Restorations has been in the business of restoring, conserving, and building historic musical instruments for over 40 years. Originally founded in London, our workshop relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1990. Occasionally we are able to offer for sale fine examples of original historic instruments and excellent copies of works by the best makers of past times.
Reviews (15)
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Aaron Finkel
Jun 12, 2022
Claire Givens violins holds a special place in our hearts. My children both play violin, and their teacher recommended them to us as an option. We happened to be in Minneapolis visiting friends several years ago and stopped by for some relatively inexpensive fractional instruments. The staff treated my kids like they were very important customers, and were so thorough and kind, and the instruments were so good, that when it was time for my daughter's more expensive full size violin, we drove 16 hours round-trip so she could come get it from Claire Givens.

This turned out to be well worth the drive. Great care was given to making sure she ended up with an instrument that suited her, and the team was kind, patient, and knowledgeable, and she is thrilled with the violin she came home with. We will be back if we need another instrument down the road, and wouldn't dream of going anywhere else.
John Wile
Apr 08, 2022
Along with the quality work, I appreciated being respected and valued as a customer even though I'm just starting to learn the cello (my first instrument - as a retired adult). That surprised me in a store that serves the best instrumentalists. I'd never go anywhere else.
George E. Lundgren
Feb 22, 2022
My grandson tried at least 40 violin bows at 4 violin shops. All shops were good but Givens was exceptional. From the entry room to the tryout rooms the grand elegance of the world of string instruments, of string artists, and of string history comfortably embraced us. Leah, who helped us, was warm, calm and gentle in demeanor, a "rare and precious find of a human being." Her quiet, self-assured approach was comforting and clearly founded on a broad yet specific knowledge stringed instruments.

The personal interactions with our grandson, the facts discussed, and the options available that were then brought out for trial, was most impressive when compared with the previous shops we worked with. Claire Givens, the owner, joined us briefly and was affable, knowledgeable, and helpful summarizing the shops general services, repair services, returns, trade-in policy for the next instrument, valuation documentation, and agents who specialize in insurance for instruments.

My grandson, after a home trial, chose a bow that he has been very, very pleased with! We were all impressed and will return. Drs. George and Sandra Lundgren UPDATE: 2/22/2022 Came back for bow service. Still outstanding staff and service!
Alena Bundtcake
Dec 08, 2021
The people here are very nice and do a great job with my viola. I got my viola here and I love it. (The image below is not my viola but rather a gorgeous violin we saw).
Wendy Tangen-Foster
Sep 21, 2021
I have been working with Givens Violins since 2004. The care and attention I receive is like no other violin shop that I have worked with. Claire helped me find my violin in 2006 and has helped dozens of my students find wonderful instruments & bows. The bow re-hairs are always consistent with careful attention paid to the details like grip spacing, hair tension, and other nuances. Doug (luthier) is amazing with violin repairs, set-ups, and adjustments.

Their strings and other accessories are competitively priced - unlike other shops which often have a significant mark-up. I love how the shop is so organized, responsive, caring, and professional which reduces the stress of purchasing or repairing an instrument. I appreciate that they are open to suggestions and feedback and I feel like my opinion and expertise as a violinist and teacher is respected and valued. Finally, I love the conversations I have with Claire and the other highly-trained staff when I stop in. Visiting Givens violins is always a joy! I can't recommend this shop enough!
Heather Sligh
Sep 06, 2021
We are located in North Carolina but Claire Givens Violins came highly recommended by my daughter's viola teacher. He drove to the shop and selected two violas to send to my daughter for her to choose between. Shipment was speedy and we always felt like we knew what was going on. The instruments were both great and shipped carefully and lovingly. My daughter gets many compliments on her new viola!
Howard H.
Mar 05, 2021
I've been playing the same old German violin for 33 years and i went to Claire Givens looking to see what else was out there, and perhaps see if i could find another violin to bring home. From the start, Claire Givens staff were exceptional. Leah and I exchanged emails and talked on the phone. She was knowledgeable, engaging and genuinely excited to help see if we could find me a new violin.

I got the impression that they really care about finding the violinist the right instrument and listened to what my needs were on both instrument versatility and sound. When I came in for my appointment I was given a tour of the shop (which is beautiful) and brought to a room, prepard for me to try out violins. The whole experience was fantastic, and I couldn't be happier with my new instrument.

The hardest part was making a final choice since the whole process of playing and listening (Leah is an excellent violinist) to each violin only served to underline that Claire Givens has nothing but the finest, most carefully picked and well cared for instruments. I also got to send some time talking with Claire who listens carefully and is so incredibly knowledgeable. She obviously has a deep understanding and love of stringed instruments. I'll be back again for sure to choose a bow and I can't recommend them enough.
Douglas Lindee
Mar 04, 2021
Last week my grandson and I had the opportunity and distinct pleasure to visit Givens Violin Shop in our search for a new violin. Leah M. met with us. She had initially selected three violins and bows in our stated price range. Leah was very patient and provided many helpful and knowledgable suggestions, without any pressure whatever, as we searched for the "perfect" violin.

We were also able to visit with Claire Givens and she graciously provided her insight. My grandson had purchased three violins previously from Givens and received the same fine, personal, and knowledgeable five-star attention. I will certainly return to Givens Violin Shop for my future violin needs and I would, without any equivocation, recommend their high quality instruments and services.
Matthew Ruderman
Jan 24, 2021
I recently purchased a new violin and bow from Claire Givens Violins. My experience was wonderful. Leah helped me select both and was great. She walked me though the process and had pre-selected several instruments in my budget for me to try. She also selected several bows for me to try and was very patient while I repeatedly tried each. They are my go-to for violin and stringed instrument needs and I would highly recommend them to anyone else.
John Samson
Dec 17, 2020
I'm incredibly happy with the new violin and bow I just purchased from Claire Givens, which is the second instrument I've purchased from the shop. They have a very generous trade-in policy for instruments previously purchased from them, which I was able to take advantage of. Sales associate Leah was a great help in the violin selection process. The shop is going above and beyond to keep customers safe during the pandemic; everyone is masked, customers are screened for symptoms, and there are shields at the checkout desk and in the showrooms. Thank you Claire and staff for being such an asset to our neighborhood and community.
Kira A.
Jun 18, 2016
Great friendly service. Went looking for a cello stand and my husband found one for $25. Would have preferred one with a tall support for the back of the instrument however it gets the job done. They also do parking vouchers for the Hilton and Orchestra Hall parking ramp.
Brad P.
Mar 31, 2015
I bought my first cello from Claire Givens about four years ago. I had been playing for only a year and I didn't know much about cellos. They we're wonderful. They matched my (meager) abilities to a wonderful cello in my price range. Three year later I upgraded to a nicer cello and received a wonderful trade in. They have always treated me as if they cared more about what is best for me than what is best for them financially.

I have been back many times for repairs and questions and just to play their large selection of cellos and bows. It's alway been a very enjoyable experience. I highly recommend them.
Sarah S.
Apr 09, 2014
When I was a young student, my family bought my first good cello from Givens Violins. Even though I was about 12 at the time, I still clearly remember the kindness and care Claire took to make sure I had the right instrument. I stopped in the shop over the next ten years whenever I was in Minneapolis to buy supplies or see what was available. One day, Claire called me out of the blue.

She told me they had just rebuilt an old English cello that she thought would be perfect for me. I drove to Minneapolis, tried it, and fell instantly in love. Claire was spot on! That cello was my professional instrument for my entire career as a cellist. It served me well as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Many people often remarked on its physical beauty and its amazing sound. Claire also shipped bows to me to try when I was in an emergency situation and needed one right away. Again, she provided an excellent selection perfectly suited to my needs.

Over the years, I also bought cases, strings, rosin, etc, and got repairs and advice from Givens Violins. I always, always found everyone there friendly and helpful and everything I ever bought there was fantastic, and every repair was extremely well done. I have frequented other violin shops on the East and West Coast and Europe, and never found any that combined the top-rate professionalism with the friendliness and excellent customer service that Givens Violins provides.
Joshua K.
Oct 08, 2013
I've been a customer of Claire Givens Violins for over 20 years. This is a shop which meets all my cello-needs. Under one roof I can get my bow rehaired and my cello adjusted. I can buy strings, rosin, metronome, or a music stand. Claire keeps an excellent selection of string instruments, of consistently high quality. I've bought at least two cellos and a few bows from Givens Violins, and many of my students over the years have bought cellos here, too.

The shop is meticulous about setting up its instruments just right, and the staff goes out of its way to work with a customer to individualize an instrument. The shop's atmosphere is friendly, unhurried and welcoming. It's not unusual to come in on a Saturday afternoon and see--in one space--professional colleagues, kids looking at 1/2-size instruments with parents, a visiting violin soloist needing a quick repair before a concert. It's always a pleasure to come to Claire's shop. Highly recommended.
J. K.
Oct 01, 2013
I had a great experience in finding my new bow. I was given a number of excellent bows within my price range to try out in the store, with no hard sell or pressure to buy. I was able to take a few home to try for the week and found a great match for the price. This will be a good experience if you have an idea of what you are looking for when you walk through the door.