Nice experience here! Received lots of help, tried several violins and got the favorite one. Also got a case and when I said I might need to travel with it they gave me more instructions of how to take care of the violin. By the way the kittens are cute!

I visited Vintage since they are one of only two Kamaka ukulele authorized sellers in Philly/and western burbs.Fred was super helpful and chill in the selection process with my 20 year old son. He had multiple high end ukuleles on hand including Martin alternatives to the Kamakas.Catherine was helpful discussing care of the ukulele and knowing when to stop in for maintenance if needed.The building is stunning and worth the trip itself - what a gem. I can think of no better place to sit and play through several instruments to find the one that speaks to you.

I had been thinking of purchasing another mandolin for the past few years and decided to pull the trigger today. I was very pleased with the selection and the staff was more than helpful. I had a specific budget and was shown several instruments in my range and left to have go playing all of them. I went in thinking I was going to walk out with a old Gibson but ended up leaving with an old Martin. All and all I had a great experience and would recommend the shop to anyone looking for their next instrument purchase.

This place is very cool. I happened to pop in to take a look at some Martin OMs and they had a couple of nice examples to try out. The shop definitely leans more towards vintage gear, so dont expect to be dazzled by the latest and greatest Taylor or whatever. The woman that co-owns the shop had a good long conversation with me, even though I wasnt really there to buy anything (OM-21 was tempting), so I have no idea what other reviewers are complaining about. Lady, whoever you are, youre cool people. If I lived in Philly, this would be my local shop. Super knowledgable, unpretentious, and cozy.

I want to highly recommend Vintage Instruments to anyone within a drive to center city Philadelphia looking for an acoustic guitar. I’m an intermediate player at best and have mostly played electric guitars over the last many years. I wanted to find a good, heirloom quality acoustic to get back into that side of my playing. I have been to just about every music store within the Philly area and without a doubt, Vintage Instruments is the best shop around to get an acoustic guitar. Fred and Catherine were extremely helpful (and timely with their responses) from my very first email. When I got to the beautiful store (understatement!) they were ready for me and lined up a few guitars for me to audition in private. No pressure and they’re not precious about their incredible inventory. I was able to try multiple guitars in my own time, in private and when I finally decided on the one I wanted, they put together an amazing package for me with all the accessories and instructions necessary to make sure my sure I would love and enjoy my guitar for life. This long review is deserving because Vintage Instruments is the reason we should support in-person retail. The attention, advice, inventory, buying and support experience top anything locally and anything online.

A HUGE thumbs up to the staff of Vintage Instruments for generosity, professionalism, and being a class act!I was allowed a generous lay-away period of 4 months (that is RARE!) for my purchase of a 1999 Martin model 000-1 small auditorium size acoustic guitar. I ended up paying ahead of schedule, and took said guitar home today---with a complimentary humidifier and set of strings.Small businesses are the true backbone of this nation. Vintage Instruments of South Philadelphia is one with a heart and rare values. I will recommend them as long as I have air to breathe!

First class in every way - atmosphere, offerings, expertise.

I called to ask about an instrument that was found in my 89 year old aunts house, and the first thing out of the womans mouth was an assumption that it was stolen. Ummm. No. Its been in that house well over 100 years. Ill take my business somewhere else. Thanks.

Vintage Instruments is an amazing store! Fred’s knowledge is second to none and the selection is amazing as well. Their fair prices + courteous staff = happy customers!

I love going to Vintage Instruments. Our children love going there, as well. We have been purchasing instruments there since the 80s and have always appreciated the amazing selection and breadth of knowledge of the proprietors. We have also used them to sell some of our instruments and have had wonderful advice and service. There is not a finer place to purchase vintage guitars, banjoes, mandolins or violins in the region. If I am ever in the Philly area I am sure to drop in for a visit.

This place feels like a vintage instrument museum upon walking in, gorgeous furniture, decorations, and displays. Probably the best collection of vintage stringed instruments I have ever seen. I needed some Vintage Martin guitars appraised, Fred and his staff went above and beyond. From helping me carry them in from my car, to meticulously evaluating every detail of the guitar, and writing accurate descriptions. They even mailed a hard copy to me. Extremely professional and knowledgeable. A must see place for all stringed instrument enthusiasts passing through Philadelphia...

I had heard that this was one of the premier instrument dealers in the world and had seen Fred appear on the Antiques Roadshow so knew they were very knowledgeable....they have certainly lived up to that reputation...they are also really nice people, very helpful, and have an incredible inventory for all budgets. Thank you.

Before going in I was intimidated that I was not going to find what I was looking for: an entry level stringed instrument. To my pleasant surprise I was courteously toured around the store (which has A+ interior design) and demod many instruments. In the end, I spent $140 on a travel sized Martin guitar that people cannot believe was that cheap! Highly recommend going just to explore.

Wanted to but a Tenor Ukulele. Found this amazing shop quite by accident on google. For a store with a huge selection of high end vintage instruments, that looks like a museum on the inside, they not only had an amazing selection of affordable Ukuleles (>$200), but a fantastic staff as well.

Buying my Martin C1K ukulele was a great experience. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. There was no pressure and I could strum till my hearts content with their large inventory of ukuleles. Also and just as importantly their prices were VERY competitive to the big box stores, who did NOT have any Martins on the floor. All in all it was a great experience and I highly recommend this great shop. Its worth it just seeing the fabulous building.

One of favorite music stores Ive ever been too. Great vintage guitar selection downstairs, and amazing violins and bows upstairs. Its a gorgeous building which adds to the whole experience of shopping for high end instruments. We ended up getting a new bow while we were there, and there are no regrets at almost a year later. Fred is the best!

Beautiful space with an impressive selection of guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Unfortunately, the woman who co-owns the place is incredibly offensive and unfriendly.Update: The co-owner of the shop suggest that I came with the sole purpose of making a business proposal, when in fact I visited in hopes of purchasing an instrument suitable for playing gypsy jazz. Although I did not find what I was looking for, I did take the time to introduce myself and offer them a feature on my popular YouTube guitar channel Swiftlessons. Her rudeness cost her an excellent customer, and a great opportunity to connect with guitar enthusiast all over the world. I take pride in helping brick and mortar guitar shops, but I will take my goodwill and money elsewhere.

Called to arrange a few guitars to test out. Excellent service. Amazing space and vibe. Highest recommendation.

NOTICE: This is a revised review to my previous review. The owner actually replied to my email that I had sent him about the previous bow I had purchased. They Do allow exchanges and returns. I was given the wrong information, which happens. I am very happy with my new bow and happy that the owner made the exchange easy. The shop is gorgeous, however I was a little disappointed that the staff wasnt a little friendlier. I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt that they were having an off day. I would recommend Fredrick Oster for bows, since that is what I purchased, they also have a beautiful and large collection of fine instruments. I absolutely will purchase from them again. The prices are fair and you can try before you buy. It helps to have an idea of what it is you want and if they have it in stock before you go. I really should have revised this review a long time ago, and for that I apologize. As a professional musician, I recommend this shop to professional musicians, as well as students. Here you will find the right things the first time, and not have to worry whether it is quality or not. Definitely a must see shop for the musician here in Philly on vacation.

One of the coolest places that you have never heard of in Philly. Its in a very old house that has the most impressive collection of vintage instruments that I have ever seen.

A truly amazing place in a beautiful place

Nice collection of instruments, highly skilled and helpful technicians. Sadly, the woman who helps to run the place is not very polite nor very respectful of the customers - at least not from what I have seen. She takes herself far too seriously, has a definite attitude, and talks down to customers. She references her own importance aplenty as if that excuses poor communication skills and a rude demeanor. She simply is not professional. I have heard numerous complaints from people even out in the burbs as well as in Philly regarding her attitude and manner; I see why. I would rate this place 5 for the support and knowledge of the people who actually work on the instruments, but 1 for the help you have to endure when this woman is on duty at the front counter (which seems to be a great deal of the time). Unfortunately, her presence in the front brings this review to a 3.

No pressure. Very good price. Knowledgeable staff. Id buy from them again.

Got the vibe from the website that this was more of a display/museum that sold its products as well. Went in to take a look around and was treated like a lunatic for thinking that was the case. Long story short, service was blunt and unfriendly, and only go if you know exactly what you want. This is coming from a professional touring musician.

I accidentally made a review of this place, I bet is pretty good tho

I play guitar so my knowledge of their holdings is mostly about that - but if youre looking for acoustic guitars and ukeleles, these folks have got the goods. especially original Martin guitars from the 19th & 20th centuries and yes, the golden decade of the 1930s. also gibsons and archtops and ukeleles and even obscure lutes etc. u gotta see this place, unique in the nation, even the building itself is a masterpiece.

The best vintage instruments shop!

They have great merchandise!!!

Dont remember this place

The elderly woman who partly owns and operates this establishment is literally a sociopath.

Great! Great! Great!