RDL Strings

What a pleasant experience to visit RDL Strings! When my 9 year old twins were vacillating between violins and cellos for orchestra, I have to be honest I was a little overwhelmed, but Rob made it very easy! He let each child try out the instruments, switching between what seemed to me to be very similar sized instruments to find just the right fit and making adjustments to be sure that they would be comfortable playing. Once he had that sorted he asked each of them to “Show me what you can do?” and when they inevitably said “I can’t play yet” He said something to the effect of, “I am sure you can play something,” and guided their hands giving them a mini lesson on the spot. My husband and I were not expecting that and were so impressed! Then when they were sure they wanted cellos- He sat down with a cello in his size and started to play beautifully- inspiring them and telling them that if they practiced one day they would sound like that. I would highly recommend RDL and Rob if you want you or your children’s introduction to stringed instruments to be by someone who truly loves what they are doing, embraces teaching and truly desires to share his love of music with whomever crosses over his threshold.

I’ve had several great experiences with Robert Lorimer both in repairs/adjustments of instruments and in purchases. He is a meticulous artisan who stands by his work.

I don't even know where to begin with Rob. It all started a few decades ago when he did business with my great aunt. She went to him when her husband(my great uncle)died, leaving her with a huge inventory of violins and whatnots as it pertained to fixing violins. She went to him because of his reputation then He purchased much of my great uncles inventory and I have been going to him every since with anything violin related. Now the fifth generation of my family(my 10 year old son Thomas)is playing the violin and Rob has been there for him every step of the way, as he has for me when I inherited my grandfathers fiddle. Thomas started off with a 200 dollar beginner violin and because Rob always takes a previous instrument you have either rented or purchased from him and gives you 100% of what you paid toward a finer instrument, my son is now up to a $2000 violin and he and I could not be happier. We have traded in a total of 4 times now and he is only in 5th grade! How does Rob react when we constantly do this? He is as happy as my son and I are. A truly personable professional and friend. I would never even consider anyone else to watch out for me or my family. And no, he is not family nor is this review biased in any way, except the fact that he is a one of a kind.

Rob recently repaired and restored my daughter's cello which was locked in its case left unplayed for over a decade.... The cello was a high quality instrument but I didnt even know if it was repairable or worth the restoration costs! Rob talked me through every step of the restoration. New fingerboard, replaced pins and strings. He is such an artist himself. The end result is a beautifully restored cello that looks and sounds even better than the day it was purchased ... almost 30 years ago. My daughter is thrilled and I am thankful for finding Rob and working with him. He is talented, fair, he communicates throughout the process and I highly recommend him.

RDL Strings has the highest interest in putting great quality string instruments in the hands of the up and coming students who study here as well as customers across the state. Rob really cares about how a good instrument can forward young talent. He is kind and personable with the kids week in and week out, year round.

I am very happy with the work Robert did on my bass. The neck was separating from the body and I was only four days away from a band practice and a week out from a gig. Robert did a beautiful, solid job with the repair--plus fixed a few minor issues--and so quickly. I was able to practice and be ready for the weekend gigs. The repair in Bangor saved me a four-hour trip to Boston. I'd recommend RDL strings to anyone. Susan

Wanted to learn how to play the violin/fiddle for years... what a better time to start than during a pandemic! Rob is incredibly knowledgeable and fixed me up with a nice beginner violin. Highly recommend RDL Strings!

We highly recommend RDL strings! Rob is so professional, helpful, and kind. Our 6 year old daughter is taking violin lessons from Lynn Brubaker and she is WONDERFUL.

Absolutely love them. My granddaughter has been taking violin lessons there for six years and can't wait for lessons! Also they do a great job repairing her violin when it is not used ever so gently. Always fast and excellent service!

So glad I picked this place to do violin lessons. I was an absolute beginner, I didn't even know how to hold the violin, plus I play left handed which is not something most instructors know how to do. But my instructor has accommodated me immensely.

I am currently taking lessons with Sascha and I must say I've never taken lessons with anbetter person. The shop has a wide selection of Violins and Cellos. The repairs are quick and easy. I just love RDL strings.

I had restoration done on a 1930's Vega guitar- a wonderful experience. The work was done fast, the cost very reasonable, and he obviously enjoyed doing it! I like the downtown location and Mr. L. is a very interesting gentleman to talk to. Overall, it was great. Thank you. J. A. Dennis

Never been there or ever used a guitar for that matter but went after a couple different types of guitar strings, and the guy there knew just what I was talkin ggv about and went and got them. Nice guy and will definitely go back if I ever need anything musical again!! 5 stars and totally recommend this place!!

We are all vibrating strings, transitory, beautiful, harmonious, tragic, triumphant, discordant; however, many of us live our lives mired in a waking dream of the modern dystopia, compelled by or driven into an autonomic pursuit of capital. Our value, the value placed upon us by much of our modern American culture, is derived more from our marketability, our earning power, our relative position on the consumer scale than who we are as humans. And in that, a portion of our humanity is lost, our vibrations are muddied. RDL Strings is a gateway, an escape from temporary baubles, electronic screens, and shiny things; it is a gateway to something lasting, a gateway both harmonic and global, a gateway to our greater potential as human beings.

When I first walked into RDL Strings, I was struck by the same feeling I might have gotten had I serendipitously discovered some fantastic used book store. There is an old world ambiance about the place, and I almost felt as if, by walking in, I could become a character in some indie film where the proprietor would suddenly appear with a magic Stradivarius, spectacles, and a knowing look. It is a fitting location for a music store that specializes in violins, violas, and cellos; I do not know the age of the building, but it is old Bangor and appears to represent the history well. Though bookstore was my initial thought, and there are no leather bound volumes, no musty smells, there is an echo, a faint yet marvelous echo carried in the many beautiful instruments adorning the shop walls, in the magnificent potential inherent in each.

The proprietor, Mr. Rob Lorimer, may well have a magic Stradivarius hidden somewhere on the premises; I cannot say. He seems a staid man who holds himself, as well as others, to the highest of standards. My impression is he is a shrewd, yet fair, businessman who knows his business well. Trust does not come easily to me—it has taken me over a year to come to the writing of this piece—yet, once I have crossed that threshold, I am completely and unequivocally in. My son has been taking cello lessons at RDL Strings during that time. He is on his second cello, and, as he is eight and a growing boy, I am certain “William Cell-O,” as he has christened it, will not be his last. My son, wife, and I are in this for the duration. I do not know musical instruments well, but I do know Rob Lorimer, and in that, I am fortunate. I trust he will always do his best to ensure my son has access to a fine cello.

While we intend to purchase all of our son’s cellos from Mr. Lorimer, RDL Strings is not just about the buying and selling of musical instruments. It is also about musical lineage, master and student, and a heritage that spans centuries. Several musicians share the premises with Mr. Lorimer; I cannot presume to know their arrangements. But I do know this, Tim Garrett, the cellist who teaches my son, is a superb musician and instructor. My wife and I feel extremely fortunate to have him as a mentor to our son. I expect impeccable musical proficiency and highest instructional standards are requirements for all the musicians who teach there.

In closing, I am pleased to have passed through the gateway and crossed the threshold of RDL Strings. My son, my wife, and myself are absolutely the better for it. We have, as a family, collectively embraced the opportunity to find our son’s greater potential. And, I suspect, in this, I will also find some of the finer elements hidden in myself.

RDL strings is a great place for lessons! The owner is amazing, and the instructors are the best. Our son has been taking cello lessons, and it has been wonderful for him!

Rob Lorimer is the best, when it comes to stringed instruments this man knows it all.

Helpful, professional, and an interesting shop to boot. I'm a very new player (violin) and came in to be outfitted with new strings after breaking my first string ever. The shop owner not only picked out strings for me that were as nice as they could be while still being affordable, but he also helped me out with my sound post and with my bridge, setting me up for success for the months to come. This is going to be "my shop" for repairs and violin supplies for sure.

I couldn't be happier with the service provided by Robert Lorimer. From emergency repairs to more standard procedures, he has helped me several times. Good workmanship, and very reasonable prices. You're in good hands with this shop!

I called Mr. Lorimer for advice on purchasing a cello string. He was gracious with his time and expertise and extremely patient with all my questions. It doesn’t get any better than that.

robert went out of his way, despite my crazy schedule, to ensure that i had a violin rental while working parttime in bangor. and i was lucky enough to take lessons with mandy, who taught me so much. i am forever grateful to the rdl committment to help everyone "keep on stringing".