Music store · Chapel Hill, NC · reviewed since 2021
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%84+53.4Reliability 28%78+22Replies to reviews 8%50+4.1Experts Score= 79Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.79SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#126 of 171 music lessonsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 26%
4.8★★★★★141 Google reviews · 8 photos
89%five-star reviews
4.90★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Customers frequently praise the shop for quick turnaround times, reasonable pricing, and staff who clearly explain repair processes. Services include instrument sales, rentals, string changes, and detailed setups for guitars and cellos. A recurring criticism involves unexpected upselling of additional repairs, such as bridge replacements, which some customers felt compromised their instruments' sound. The owner replies to a small portion of reviews.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 141 reviews (89% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 141 Google reviews (95 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 18% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 1, 2026.
Service: Music Lesson serving Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Data from Google, last updated November 2, 2026.
Score profile vs other music lessons
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.
This companyMusic Lessons median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.High Strung Violins & Guitars: 84/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.A
84
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.High Strung Violins & Guitars: 78/100 on this factor. Category median: 93.B
78
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 92.–
–
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.High Strung Violins & Guitars: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.High Strung Violins & Guitars: 50/100 on this factor. Category median: 48.C
50
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
141 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars12589%
4 stars118%
3 stars21%
2 stars32%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 95 written reviews
98%praise
Praise11198%
Complaints22%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude4742%
Price & value1917%
Quality & results1614%
Would recommend1614%
Speed & response87%
Honesty & trust44%
Communication33%
What customers talk about
We read 95 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Truly a really nice guy with fair prices and walked me through all the work he was going to do and explained to me (a novice) the important things to…”
“Will and the other staff I spoke to were very knowledgeable and great to talk with and the prices are very reasonable.”
“So thankful for their top notch and empathetic (to our plight) service!”
“I highly recommend Will and High Strung Violins and Guitars.”
“I thought we would have to leave the cello for a few hours, but luckily we were in and out within an hour!”
“I trust them to provide great service at an honest price.”
“The staff did a thorough job explaining everything that needed to be done to me, what it meant, why they believed it should be done, and offering good…”
People customers mention
Peter3 reviews
Durham3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
AAvery8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★
I have an Epiphone guitar I brought in with a pitchy open g string and a neck out of true. Will made it sound much cleaner by replacing the nut, brought my action down and strigthened the neck. The guitar sounds way better with the open g and is much much smoother and easier to play. Also
1. didn't make me wait…
AAldra5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
While I was visiting the area, I broke a sting in my cello. I called to see if and I could get it repaired at High Strung. I was told to bring it in. I took it the next day. Will was great. He strung and tuned my cello. I was in and out in no time. I highly recommend Will and High Strung Violins and Guitars.
Eemily11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
Will was lovely and restrung and taped my fingerboard in ~20 min. Great price and service rendered!
AAlex12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
Will is fantastic! Truly a really nice guy with fair prices and walked me through all the work he was going to do and explained to me (a novice) the important things to look out for on my guitars. Highly recommend!
RRachelLocal Guide · 44 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
We were in town visiting family over Easter weekend when my son had a cello string issue. I called the shop, and thankfully they were able to fit us in on a busy Saturday. I thought we would have to leave the cello for a few hours, but luckily we were in and out within an hour! So thankful for their top notch and empathetic (to our plight) service!
DDaniel3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
They were super busy but still able to fit me in to restring my cello and did an amazing job
I have an Epiphone guitar I brought in with a pitchy open g string and a neck out of true. Will made it sound much cleaner by replacing the nut, brought my action down and strigthened the neck. The guitar sounds way better with the open g and is much much smoother and easier to play. Also
1. didn't make me wait three weeks like other places
2. didn't have any ego about repairing or listening to what I thought was causing the issue
3. is well priced
I'm glad I came here.
A
Aldra Greene5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Aldra has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
While I was visiting the area, I broke a sting in my cello. I called to see if and I could get it repaired at High Strung. I was told to bring it in. I took it the next day. Will was great. He strung and tuned my cello. I was in and out in no time. I highly recommend Will and High Strung Violins and Guitars.
E
emily warp11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews emily has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Will is fantastic! Truly a really nice guy with fair prices and walked me through all the work he was going to do and explained to me (a novice) the important things to look out for on my guitars. Highly recommend!
R
Rachel LongfellowLocal Guide · 44 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Rachel has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We were in town visiting family over Easter weekend when my son had a cello string issue. I called the shop, and thankfully they were able to fit us in on a busy Saturday. I thought we would have to leave the cello for a few hours, but luckily we were in and out within an hour! So thankful for their top notch and empathetic (to our plight) service!
D
Daniel3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Daniel has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Will is the best! You can't do better than the personal service with great prices. Every time I take a guitar in, it comes back better than new. Highly recommend.
R
Roshna KeenLocal Guide · 20 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Roshna has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Wonderful string store, Will the owner is very helpful. We have rented a violin from there, had another violin repaired, and just recently purchased an entry level violin. They also sell music. I trust them to provide great service at an honest price.
A
Al Kaholiq5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Al has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
