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Contact Us

Carriage House Violins
1039 Chestnut Street
Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464
info@carriagehouseviolins.com
Tel: 617-262-0051
Fax: 617-467-4761
Carriage House Violins
Boston Showroom

236 Huntington Avenue, Suite 304
Boston, MA 02115
info@carriagehouseviolins.com
Tel: 617-262-0051
Our Boston showroom is for fine instrument trials. An appointment is necessary.
Johnson String Instrument
1029 Chestnut Street
Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464
info@johnsonstring.com
Tel: 617-964-0954
Toll Free: 800-359-9351

Driving Directions to our Newton location

From Boston

Take Route 9 West. 2.3 miles past the Mall at Chestnut Hill take the exit (a slight right) towards Chestnut St. Turn left onto Chestnut Street and after 0.2 miles we are on the right.

From Route 128 / Interstate 95

Take exit 36A onto Route 9 East. Take the first exit towards Chestnut Street/Upper Falls Waban. A right onto Ellis St, for 0.6 miles, will bring you to Chestnut St. Take a right onto Chestnut St and the shop is almost immediately on your right.

Hours

Storefront Hours
Monday Storefront Closed
Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 9 am – 5 pm
Phone Hours
Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

Walking Directions to our Newton location from MBTA

From Eliot Station
  • Cross the pedestrian bridge over Route 9 next to the train bridge
  • Take the ramp down and turn left to walk west on Boylston St. Keep going down the exit ramp on the same side of the street, then turn left at the underpass onto Chestnut St. Walk uphill on Chestnut Street until you reach the intersection next to the Exxon station.
  • Cross Chestnut and Ellis Streets, and continue walking south up the hill past the trees
  • Johnson String Instrument is the first entrance at the next building complex, with Carriage House Violins next door one level down
Eliot Station
The 59 Bus
  • From Watertown Square, take the 59 bus that stops at Newton Highlands on the Green D Line and goes towards Needham Junction
  • Get off the bus at Chestnut St at Elliot St and walk North up the hill on Chestnut Street to reach Johnson String at the top of the office park on the left.
  • When returning, note that the West side stop on Chestnut St - heading south - goes to Watertown Square and Newton Highlands, while the East side stop goes to Needham Junction.
59 bus route

Directions to our Boston location

Driving

From Route 93 (Northbound)
  • Take exit 15 A for Southampton St toward Andrew Sq
  • Turn left onto Southampton St for 0.6 mi
  • Turn right onto Massachusetts Ave for 1 mi
  • Turn right onto Avenue of the Arts/Huntington Ave
  • Our building is on the right
From Route 93 (Southbound)
  • Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 15 toward Mass Ave/Roxbury/Andrew Sq
  • Continue straight onto Massachusetts Ave Connector for 0.3 mi
  • Turn right onto Massachusetts Ave for 1 mi
  • Turn right onto Avenue of the Arts/Huntington Ave
  • Our building is on the right
From Route 90 (Eastbound)
  • Take exit 133 toward Prudential Center/Copley Square
  • Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Prudential Ctr, and merge onto Huntington Ave
  • Continue onto Huntington Ave for 0.1 mi
  • Take a slight right onto Avenue of the Arts/Huntington Ave
  • Make a U-turn at Massachusetts Ave
  • Our building is on the right
From Route 95
  • Take exit 36A to merge onto MA-9 E toward Brookline/Boston
  • Stay on MA-9E for 8.1 mi
  • Slight right onto Avenue of the Arts/Huntington Ave for 0.1 mi
  • Our building is on the right
Parking at the Boston showroom is limited. Options include available street parking, the parking garage at the Midtown Hotel, or the Christian Science Plaza Parking Garage at 235 Huntington Avenue.

Walking

From the 39 Bus (Huntington Ave @ Gainsborough St Stop) and New England Conservatory of Music
  • Walking, head northeast on Huntington Ave toward Gainsborough St for 0.1 mi
  • Our building will be on your right
From the Symphony T stop on the E branch of the Green Line
  • Walking, head northeast on Avenue of the Arts/Huntington Ave toward Public Alley 405
From the Massachusetts Avenue T stop on the Orange Line
  • Walking, head northwest on Massachusetts Ave toward St Botolph St for 0.1 mi
  • Turn right onto Avenue of the Arts/Huntington Ave
  • Our building is on the right
From Back Bay Station
  • Walking, head west toward Dartmouth St
  • Continue onto SW Corridor Path for 0.1 mi
  • Turn right onto Harcourt St for 325 ft
  • Turn left onto St Botolph St for 0.1 mi
  • Turn right onto W Newton St for 285 ft
  • Turn left onto Huntington Ave for 0.2 mi
  • Our building will be on your left

FAQ's

Is my order taxable?

In accordance with state laws, items including rent are taxable for residents of applicable states, as well as all in-store transactions.

Non USA orders are exempt from state tax. However, the customer is responsible for all customs, duty, import, and brokerage taxes imposed by the destination country.

How long does shipping take, and how much does it cost?

Our Shipping Department is open Monday through Friday. We offer FedEx Next Day, 2nd Day, and Standard shipping rates. Standard orders normally ship via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 business days), USPS First Class Mail (2-8 business days), or FedEx Ground (1-6 business days).

Larger items such as instruments will ship via FedEx and cannot be delivered to a PO Box. If ordered before 12PM EST on a weekday, most Standard orders for in-stock items (excepting instruments) will normally be shipped out that same day, or the next business day at the latest. Sales and rental instruments may require 3-5 business days to prepare before shipping, though we do our best to ship them out sooner.

Note Saturday and Sunday delivery is not available for Next Day and 2nd Day shipping; for example, a Next Day Air order placed Friday will not arrive until the following Monday. Here is a complete list of domestic shipping rates. Some orders to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, APO addresses, and US Protectorates may require a shipping quote. All orders outside the United States require a shipping quote.

Shipping quotes are calculated based on the size, weight, and destination of the package. Customers are welcome to call 800-359-9351 for a shipping quote, or simply place an order via www.johnsonstring.com. You will receive a shipping quote via email within 1 business day, at which time you can decide to accept the quote and supply payment for the order.

What do I do if an item arrives broken, or is defective?

We will replace defective items or items damaged in shipping; simply give us a call within 30 days of your original order, and we'll send a replacement at no charge. We will usually ask that you return the defective item to us; we can either send a prepaid postage label, or simply reimburse you for your shipping costs when we receive the defective item.

Unfortunately we cannot provide a refund or exchange for any string that has been installed on an instrument.

Return your defective item(s) with a copy of the original invoice to the following address:

JSI Returns
26 Fox Road
Waltham, MA 02451

How refunds are processed

  • In-Store Purchases: A cash refund is given for cash purchases under $10.
  • In-Store Purchases: A refund check is mailed for cash purchases over $10.
  • Online & In-Store Purchases: A refund check is mailed for all personal check purchases.
  • Online & In-Store Purchases: A credit refund is issued to the same credit card used for a purchase.
  • Online & In-Store Purchases: A refund via PayPal for PayPal purchases.

While we try to process refunds as quickly as possible, sometimes it may be a few weeks before your refund appears on your credit card statement. If you have any questions about returns or our return policy, feel free to call (800) 359-9351.

What if I'm not happy with an item? Can I return it?

Items purchased in one of our stores may be returned to the store within 30 days for a refund or exchange, no questions asked. If you purchased an item from us online or over the phone, you can ship it back within 30 days of purchase for a refund or exchange.

Return your item(s) in original condition with the original packaging and including a copy of the original invoice to the following address:

JSI Returns
26 Fox Road
Waltham, MA 02451

What if I'm looking to purchase an instrument?

Our helpful sales staff is available during regular business hours, Monday through Saturday, and can take you through the entire purchasing process step-by-step, including setting up in-home trials through the mail. For customers coming in to the store, please call ahead for an appointment, as our sales staff can be quite busy on Saturdays and during peak times of the year. Here is information about the instruments and outfits we have for sale, or contact one of our sales associates.

I'd like to have my violin, viola, cello, or bow appraised. Where should I start?

Carriage House Violins, the instrument sales division of Johnson String Instrument, offers an appraisal service for violins, violas, cellos and bows. We do not offer bass appraisals at this time.

Insurance coverage is the most common purpose for an appraisal. The assessed value is a "replacement value" or the cost at which the instrument could be replaced, with something similar, within a limited time period. This service is available when we are in agreement with the established attribution.

Appointments are required, and a minimum of 2–3 business days are needed for examining your instrument or bow for appraisal. Please contact:

Carriage House Violins
(800) 359-9351
appraisals@carriagehouseviolins.com

Do you consign used instruments, purchase them, or accept them as a trade-in?

We consign or purchase instruments on a case by case basis. To inquire about arranging a consignment evaluation for your instrument, call Carriage House Violins at (800) 359-9351 or email info@carriagehouseviolins.com.

If you are trading in an instrument purchased at JSI, the instrument trades back for 100% of your purchase price, minus any needed reconditioning. Trade-in value for instruments not purchased at JSI is at the discretion of the Sales Department - feel free to contact Carriage House Violins or email sales@carriagehouseviolins.com. Our sales page has more information about purchasing instruments and bows from JSI.

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