At first glance, Robertson & Sons Violin Shop appears almost improbably placed among the strip malls of Albuquerque’s Carlisle Boulevard. Step inside, however, and the noise of traffic fades into a world where music, craftsmanship, and history converge across three sunlit floors.
Music Meets History at Albuquerque’s Robertson & Sons Violin Shop – Instruments
Among the shop’s most remarkable treasures is a double bass made in France around 1843 by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, one of only three known examples. Once owned by the late jazz legend Charlie Haden, the instrument now rests quietly upstairs, bearing a price tag that could rival the cost of an average home.
“It’s unusual for a jazz musician to play an instrument of this calibre,” says Aaron Robertson, who now manages the family business. “Finding a bass that has a real jazz voice but also works beautifully as a classical instrument is incredibly rare. This one does everything. It’s extraordinary.”
A Family Business Built on Repair and Resilience
Robertson & Sons is far more than a violin shop. Spanning 24,000 square feet, it houses showrooms for string instruments, a full-service repair workshop, accessories and bows, an extensive sheet-music library, teaching studios, a recital space, and a rental programme that has introduced generations of children to music.
The story begins with Don Robertson, Aaron’s father, who founded the business after an early lesson in self-reliance. As a child, Don once broke the neck of his cello—twice. After being reprimanded the first time, he repaired it himself the second. That instinct would shape a lifetime.
By the early 1970s, Don was teaching orchestral music across Albuquerque’s public schools. Instruments were scarce and often in poor condition, leaving him little choice but to repair them himself to keep programmes alive. He worked out of his garage, later refining his craft through advanced restoration training at Hofstra University in New York in 1975.
What began as necessity soon became vocation.
Growing with the Community
As the business expanded—from one modest storefront to multiple adjoining spaces in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill neighbourhood—so did its role in the local music ecosystem. Eventually, the operation outgrew every temporary home.
In 1997, Robertson & Sons moved into its current purpose-built facility, designed with climate-controlled rooms, open architectural lines, and specialised spaces for both restoration and performance. “We thought it was enormous at the time,” recalls Justin Robertson, Aaron’s brother and head of the repair workshop. “We wondered how we’d ever fill it. We’ve expanded it several times since.”
Today, the shop serves a clientele ranging from toddlers renting fractional violins to internationally renowned soloists. Among them is cellist Zuill Bailey, whose historic Italian instrument requires the utmost care. “You’re touching a piece of history,” Justin says. “Everything we do has to be reversible. These instruments are meant to outlive us.”
Craftsmanship Without Hierarchy
Behind a glass wall, the repair workshop hums with quiet concentration. Classical music plays softly as luthiers sand, clamp, and restore instruments ranging from student violins to priceless masterpieces—including a 1687 Stradivari, secured in the shop’s vault.
The philosophy is simple: every instrument receives the same care. “Whether it’s a beginner violin or a fine historic instrument, the quality of the work is identical,” Justin explains. “If it matters to the player, it matters to us.”
This ethos extends to mariachi violins, country fiddles, and everything in between. The only cautionary note is reserved for cheaply made internet instruments, often constructed from plywood rather than spruce and maple. Repairs can quickly exceed their value.
Investing in the Next Generation
Understanding the financial barriers of musical education, Don and his wife Marie introduced a rental programme early on—offering instruments for as little as $15 a month. Over the years, children have traded up through sizes, leaving behind handwritten notes for future players.
“You are the best violin I could ever have,” reads one letter from a nine-year-old. Another, written by a six-year-old relinquishing a cello, asks its next owner to “please give it lots of love too.”
The shop’s impact extends beyond retail. The Albuquerque Youth Symphony regularly uses the recital hall, and its director, Dan Whisler, notes that many students trace their first instruments back to Robertson & Sons. “If this place didn’t exist,” he says, “it would have a tremendous impact on the entire string community.”
History Reaching Beyond Earth
In a moment that captured global attention, a Robertson & Sons–made violin became the first violin ever played in space during a SpaceX mission. Astronaut and violinist Sarah Gillis performed on the instrument, synchronised with musicians on Earth, broadcasting the event to children worldwide.
“The craftsmanship being done today is extraordinary,” Aaron reflects. “There’s a renaissance among modern luthiers. Instruments made now can stand alongside the greats.”
And yet, for all the rare instruments and historic moments, Robertson & Sons remains rooted in something simple: community. “People tell me they were lost without orchestra class,” Aaron says. “Music gave them a path. They say it with tears in their eyes.”
At Robertson & Sons, music does not merely survive—it is repaired, nurtured, and passed on.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
