C K Violins

I went here today to purchase a violin. I was blown away. The manner in which I was treated is second to none. Nicholas is great. There was no pressure at all. He gave me his card and said to come back at another time if I wanted to go home and think about it, showed me several different violins, all in different price ranges, and even let me play on a few that we both knew were way out of my price range. Long story short, I ended up with an old German violin that looks a little weathered, but plays a nice deep beautiful sound. After going here, I will never go anywhere else. Best shop I have ever been in.

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I was recommended CK Violins by my violin professor at my University. She has been a long time friend of Nicolas and is a professional violinist herself. CK Violins is without a doubt the best music store I've ever had the pleasure to be a customer of. Nicholas is very knowledgeable about his instruments and knows how to match his customers with the perfect instrument. Nicholas is an extremely kind and generous person and he has single-handedly allowed me to pursue my musical dreams. He offered an very flexible payment schedule without which, I would never be able to acquire a new instrument after my previous instrument was stolen. Without the kindness of this firm, I would have been forced to drop out of the music program at my university. The quality of the violin is unsurpassed for its price and its price was quite reasonable. My experience with CK Violins was very positive and I'm sure any prospective customers will receive the same experience that I did.

I would highly recommended CK violins for any musician both amateur and professional!

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Im a professional musician and teacher in Hawaii. I send all of my students to CK Violins. Not once has Nick tried to take advantage of inexperience, nor has he attempted to up sell or coerce my students into acquiring something that was not right for their needs. Hands down his shop consistently offers the best value in Honolulu: high quality instruments for students to professionals at the most competitive and affordable prices. Im very pleased with a $2000 Chinese-made violin I bought from him 8 years ago that plays and sounds better than instruments 5x its priceit has even been mistaken on 2 occasions for a modern Italian.

I give CK Violins 2 hearty thumbs up for excellent service, quality and affordability.

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I recently moved from Boston and CK Violins has proved to be the best violin shop on the island for sales and repairs of string instruments. I have had continuous success with any business I have done with them; be it repairs, rentals, and appraisals. I go back regularly and am always given top-notch service at very reasonable prices. The owners are extremely kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, and I am very happy with all work they have done on my instrument, as well as my students' instruments. This shop competes with some of the best shops in Boston and New York City.

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I cannot recommend CK Violins highly enough! My experience with Nicholas, the owner, has been overwhelmingly positive over the more than four years I have had the pleasure of knowing him. Beginners and professionals alike are fortunate to have such a learned violinist as a resource in Honolulu.

I visit the shop in regular intervals to have the violin I play looked at and touched up whenever necessary. Nicholass ear is comparable to that of any seasoned professional violinist and after small sound post adjustments and other work, the violin always comes out sounding even better than before.

CK Violins is in a very nice and easy-to-find location and parking has never been a concern. The shop is stocked with a wide selection of instruments and accessories for the beginner and the professional. Nicholas is a very generous person who strives his very best to make a personal connection with each of his customers. He enjoys doing business with all his clients and his desire to satisfy all of his customers needs is abundantly evident in the time he devotes to each of them. Everyone I know who has purchased a violin from CK Violins has been very pleased and I recommend the shop to anyone who asks.

A spectacular violinist himself, Nicholas understands the needs of his customers. Among Nicholass illustrious former violin teachers is Peter Salaff of the world-renowned Cleveland Quartet; Peter Salaff has often told me of the respect he has for Nicholass tremendous talent as a violinist and his deep and abiding love for his former student. How lucky we are to have CK Violins in Honolulu; a true gem!

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CK Violins is a top notch, full service violin shop. I'm a very active private violin teacher in Honolulu and I send all of my students to this shop. CK has instruments in all price ranges from a few hundred dollars for my beginning students up-to and beyond the $30,000 old Italian violin that I purchased for myself from his shop. All of my students are happy with the instruments they are playing.An excellent repair shop as well. I had an accident with my old Italian violin that involved 5 huge cracks on the top. CK repaired the violin so well it actually sounded better than before. I would wholeheartedly recommend this shop to anyone in Honolulu.

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I have found CK violins to be a full service shop for all of my violin repair, sales, and rental needs. I recently had CK do work on my modern American violin. CK planed, the fingerboard, adjusted the bridge, restored a missing corner, and polished the instrument. The work was beautifully done and my fiddle has never sounded better.

I really appreciate the CK owner Nicholas Zhou is a fine violinist who has spent years performing and teaching. He truly understands what we need as performers, teachers, and parents and he delivers every single time.

Whether you are a professional musician, advanced student, or the parent of a very young beginner, CK violins has both the knowledge and understanding to take care of your instrument needs.

Tips: Call ahead and CK can prepare to meet your needs before you even reach the store!

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I had my original Roth (1928) overhauled by CK, and the results were astounding. His technicians fashioned a new soundpost which opened up the tone tremendously and made my instrument much easier and more rewarding to play. The work was done quickly and efficiently at a very competitive price. I have also purchased accessories at the shop.

Nicholas knows his business. He is an experienced musician who is familiar with all types of violins. He has contacts overseas and recommended an excellent repair person who did great work for me while I was on the mainland. I always recommend him without reservation to my string-playing friends and acquaintances who visit or reside in Honolulu.

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I am a foreigner, and I don't live in Hawaii but I recommend CK VIOLINS. The owner is a wonderful person, and his service is great.He knows what he is doing. The selection of instrument is great, too. The wide range of selection--Italian, German, French, American, student type, etc.. His repair is great, too. The bow re-hair was next day for me. It was fast and carefully done.I recommend CK VIOLINS to every one!

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NIcholas and his wife gave a wonderful presentation to our student body of about 450 students. Most of the children do not have the opportunity to see the violin being played up close. This time they did, and they also got to touch and look at one! When you go in for new strings, get a new bow, or pick up Suzuki Books,Nicholas always gives top notch service! They are a great staff!

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I highly recommend CK Violin Store. It is the only place where I have had wonderful one on one customer assistance by the owner himself! Nick takes the time to invest quality time in each of his customers. He spends time playing instruments and sharing, demonstrating and educating the customer what they are getting for each price range. I have had many parents come out of his store feeling excellent because of his assistance! His instruments are also very good quality and not over priced.

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I have dealt with CK Violins and have always found Nicholas and his
staff
most helpful with my, as well as my students', instru-
mental needs; strings and accessories are readily available and
Nicholas
can also prepare instrument appraisals and adjust/ repair
violins and bows as needed. If, for any reason he cannot personally
assist you, he quickly networks through his contacts
on the mainland to address your concerns. I highly recommend CK
Violins-- goods and services for the professional and student
musician.

C.S. Hazzard

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wow... did the owner like not raise your sound post or something?? doesnt even make sense???? They would do that for free.. and they would give free stuffs sometimes if you buy something or if u are a regular customer.. .i like got a mute for free.. and there service is really good. I went there to change my bow hair once and they would tell me to change it later and all and look at my violin to see if there are any problems.. the service and all .. its very good

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CK Violins is the most complete and professional shop in Hawaii. I have had my italian instrument restored there and know of many fine italian instruments having had major resoration there all with excellent results. Just look in the shop to see all the pictures of major artists that have visited there; Sarah Chang, Hillary Hahn, Pinchas Zuckerman, Elmar Oliviera..the list goes on and on. They have the best selection of instruments ranging from student instruments to old italian master instruments and the best advice and service in Honolulu.

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As a long established string teacher in Honolulu, I have recommended CK Violins to many of my students, and without exception they have been very happy with the instruments they have purchased there. The instruments are well adjusted, easy to play, and have really good tone, in every price range. CK Violins stands behind its instruments and its customers, and provides prompt expert service on their instruments whenever it is needed.

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I went to this place when my sound post fell inside my cello and the owner had no respect for me and just scoldly told me he was busy. I asked him where else I can go to just simply raise my sound post and he said thers is none around the area. So i packed my instrument and left and found the Music Center of Hawaii right around the corner! So I checked it out. They raised my sound post for free and replaced it for free! They had excellent service with kind employees unlike Ck Violin. I would highly recomend THe music center of Hawaii. They offer friendly service and offer a variety of instruments for band and orchestra. Go visit Music center of Hawaii
they offer a much more better customer service. Have a good day!

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I have bought two instruments from CK Violins. A violin for my daughter and a cello for my wife. The selection of instruments is impressive as is knowledge of the owner (a former member of the Honolulu Symphony). If you are looking to buy a violin, viola or cello... there is no other store on island I would recommend more highly.

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I've only been in here once and I was kind of over intiminated by the guy who works and owns the shop. He scared me because he had me play in front of him and then he critiqued the way I played and how I should by a different violin bow from him. My violin teacher loves Music center of Hawaii and doesn't like this place because he thinks the guy is lying and doesn't actually make the instruments. I had lots of friends who bought instruments from here and they say they love it. So I guess its all about who you talk to.

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