Essentially Strings

I'd rather visit a toilet than step foot in this shop

only know how to waste ppl time, time to close down this shop after 1 year bro

Close your shop! Don't understand the simplest English and you expect people to visit your shop? Close it down la

All the 1-star ratings are NOT given for the service of him running his business which has been exemplary in the the education system and support of the arts for more than 30 years.

Had the worst experience here. Owner Mr Chia is arrogant and does not care to listen to player's needs. My violin sound changed for the worst after he did a bridge carve!

I was surprised to see so many one star reviews. I happened on the shop while trying to repair my daughter’s cheap second hand guitar and had a great experience with the shop. Mr Chia is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and approachable and did not attempt to hard sell me any items or instruments and even spent half an hour talking to me about selecting musical instruments and music teachers.

The string of one-line negative reviews are highly suspect to me and don't echo my expereince at all Let this man's workmanship on two of my instruments speak for itself. Essentially Strings is the ONLY Luthier I would visit in Singapore. Here's why: I've had a German-made instrument since I was 12 that was by all accounts unplayable. It sounded bad, didn't feel good, and wasn't any fun. I laboured on this instrument for years and sadly came to the decision to sell it because it just never brought me joy. Mr Chai saw it's worth and instead of fleecing me for the instrument, he asked me what I didn't like about it and assured me that I should invest in it and allow him set it up more appropriately. I was not keen to do this as two other Luthiers had already tried and I was leery of more sunk cost on this instrument. Believe me when I say that after Mr Chia worked on my instrument, it is a completely changed instrument and it is now a joy to play. My sister, also a violinist, was astounded as well - she and I have known this instrument since our childhood and neither of us ever liked it. I am so glad that it is now living up to its potential and is still in our family. After his amazing work on this old instrument, I also took him my newer instrument and he improved it more than I thought possible, also educating me in the process. Completely thrilled (and amazed) by his work. Recommended without reservation. [Photo below of my second instrument as my sister is trying out the German instrument] .

I send my students and my own personal Italian violin to Sin Teck to get our violins adjusted. He has a good acumen to fix violins to play the best that they can. I would truly recommend him to anyone who has given up on the way your violin sounds due to the humid climate in Singapore and he would be able to work wonders to bring out the best of your instrument. Thank you Sin Teck for helping our violin students with their old instruments and for bringing out their best musical voice.