The Violin Shop has been a staple of the Nashville music community for over three and a half decades. The shop was first opened by Fred Carpenter in 1988, when he launched the business in a spare bedroom of his home. By 1993 Fred was able to move the shop into his own retail space in the Bellevue area of West Nashville, where it remained for the next 20 years. As The Violin Shop continued to grow, it became "the place to go" for fiddlers and string players from all over the United States.

In 2013 The Violin Shop relocated to a centrally located new space at 2504 8th Ave S., just minutes from downtown and Music Row. This beautifully renovated building is home to the shop today, and features an inviting gallery of beautifully displayed instruments and bows, and a timeless collection of black and white portraits of celebrated fiddlers by photographer Jim McGuire. You’ll also find a complete line of strings, cases and accessories, as well as an on-site repair shop.

In January of 2022, former partner and long-time friend of the shop Brandon Godman took over ownership of The Violin Shop, ushering it into a new phase of serving the music community in Nashville and beyond. Brandon also owns The Fiddle Mercantile in San Francisco, a sister shop to The Violin Shop that enables both shops to bring quality instruments and lutherie to the west coast. 

Whether you're in search of the perfect fiddle or bow, are in need of adjustments or repairs to your instrument that you hold dearly, or just want to get started playing music with a high quality rental or beginner instrument - we are glad to serve you at The Violin Shop.

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