Business Details
27 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Musical Instruments & Expert Repair Services
Founded in 1999 by former US Army musician Chris Bluemel, The Instrument Doc has evolved from its origins as The Instrument Doc into a trusted resource for orchestral communities in the Lowcountry. With over two decades of experience, we specialize in instrument repair, sales, and leasing for serious students, educators, and professional musicians. Our expertise spans string, brasswind, and woodwind instruments, supported by partnerships with premier brands that ensure quality service and warranty support. We maintain rigorous repair standards, refusing to compromise on workmanship that could hinder a student's musical progress.Located in Mt. Pleasant, SC, our shop serves Charleston and surrounding areas with proximity to major transportation routes. We prioritize relationships with existing clients and professionals while maintaining selective service parameters to uphold our reputation for excellence. Our founder's extensive background in performance, repair education, and industry leadership informs every aspect of our operations.
Services
Instrument Repair
Instrument Sales
Instrument Leasing
Ukulele Selection
String Instrument Repair
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We have 25 years of specialized experience in orchestral instrument repair and sales
- We maintain strict repair standards to ensure instrument quality and student success
- We offer exclusive 20% lease-to-own discounts on premium instruments
- Our founder is a published authority on instrument repair and music education
- We provide free size exchanges for growing string instrument students
Services
Instrument Repair
We provide comprehensive repair services for string, brasswind, and woodwind instruments. Our technicians maintain rigorous standards to ensure instruments meet professional quality requirements. We specialize in repairs that support student success while serving existing clients and professionals. Our repair process includes string replacements at cost plus half labor for lease customers.
Instrument Sales
We offer premium string instruments from Eastman, Howard Core, and Glasser, along with ukuleles from Kala and Lanikai. Our inventory includes orchestral strings, band instruments, and fretted instruments from top manufacturers. We provide expert guidance for selecting instruments that match skill levels and musical needs.
Instrument Leasing
Our month-to-month lease program includes violins, violas, cellos, and basses. Leases include quality instruments maintained by our technicians, with accessories like bows and cases. We offer free size exchanges and 20% lease-to-own discounts on premium instruments for growing students.
Ukulele Selection
We carry the largest ukulele selection in the Lowcountry, featuring Kala, Ohana, and Lanikai brands. Our inventory includes soprano, concert, tenor, and specialty ukes like banjoleles. We provide expert guidance to help customers choose instruments based on skill level, tonal preferences, and budget requirements.
String Instrument Repair
Our specialized string instrument repair services focus on maintaining optimal playability and sound quality. We service violins, violas, cellos, and basses with attention to detail that supports both student development and professional performance needs. Our repair standards ensure instruments meet professional quality requirements.
People
Chris Bluemel
Founder
A former US Army musician with 25+ years of experience, Chris established The Instrument Doc in 1999. He teaches at Villanova University's Summer Workshop and coordinates Charleston's TubaChristmas event. His expertise includes instrument repair education and classical/jazz performance.
Questions
What instruments can I lease?
We offer violin, viola, cello, and bass leases with month-to-month terms. All leases include quality instruments maintained by our technicians with necessary accessories.
Do you repair wind instruments?
We provide brasswind and woodwind repair services exclusively for existing clients and professionals. We don't accept new amateur brass repair clients or school-owned instruments.
What ukulele brands do you carry?
We stock Kala, Ohana, Lanikai, and Teton ukuleles. Our selection includes soprano, concert, tenor, and specialty models like banjoleles and guitaleles.
Can I buy instruments online?
While we recommend visiting our store for personalized assistance, we can facilitate purchases through our contact form for select instruments and accessories.
What repair services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive string, brasswind, and woodwind instrument repairs with strict quality standards. Our services include string replacements at cost plus half labor for lease customers.
Where are you located?
We're located at 502 Wando Park Blvd. Unit 106, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, near I-526 and Long Point Road in the Charleston area.
