Bacelar String Instruments, Inc., founded by owner Alejandro Bacelar, is located in Martinsville, New Jersey. We have been providing superior quality and value in the sale, repair, and restoration of string instruments to professional musicians and students across the country and abroad. Our inventory contains a large selection of fine contemporary and historical string instruments and bows. In addition, we perform reparis on instruments and bows, as well as provide evaluations and insurance appraisals.

About Alex

Alejandro Bacelar, better known as "Alex", was born in Cuba. He came to United States at age 14 during the Cuban revolutionary years. Alejandro pursed his studies at four major music institutions, winning scholarships from each: the Peabody Conservatory of Music, the Mannes College of Music, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Iowa. His teachers were Lawrence Lesser, Claus Adam, Paul Tobias, Leopold Teraspulsky and Charles Wendt, respectively. Since completing his graduate studies, Alejandro Bacelar has performed extensively throughout the United States and Central America in solo and chamber music performances, as well as in numerous ballet, opera, musical theater and symphony orchestras. He has served as Principal Cellist of the Savannah Symphony (Georgia) and the Savannah String Quartet. As a cellist of "Trio Musica Hispana", based in New York City, he has presented concerts throughout United States, including concerts at the Getty Museum (Los Angeles), the Miami University International Festival, the Americas Society, Merkin Concert Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall, and Lincoln Center. 

From a young age, Alejandro Bacelar was captivated by woodworking. As a child, he completed numerous woodcraft projects—including building his first violin at just 12 years old. While pursuing graduate studies, he crafted his own cello and several bows, which he went on to use professionally for many years. Even during his active years as a performing cellist, he dedicated significant time to studying and researching the art of violin making and restoration. By the late 1980s, as demand for his craftsmanship grew, he made the decision to focus fully on the world of stringed instruments, establishing a full-service workshop devoted to repair, restoration, and tonal optimization.

Testimonials

I have been a customer of Alex Bacelar for over 20 years. I have frequently been to his shop for repair and sound adjustment. What impresses me most about Mr. Bacelar is his incredible ability of making instruments sound great as well as his masterful craftsmanship. As a professional musician himself, he understands the needs of professional players. Mr. Bacelar knows how to bring out the most beautiful sound possible from an instrument; furthermore, he can adjust it to make it easy for us to play to our full potential. In addition, he is a man of honesty and integrity, whom I trust completely.

-Qiang Tu, cellist, The New York Philharmonic 

I am a performing cellist and have been on the faculty at McGill the past number of years and in my experience, I have yet to come across a luthier who is as knowledgeable, or who has a better set of ears than Alex Bacelar. He has the advantage of being a cellist himself, and always adjusts an instrument with an ideal balance of maximum power and resonance: in this way, it responds quickly, is easy to play and sounds beautiful.

-Elizabeth Dolin, cello professor, McGill University

Several years ago, after having heard of his reputation from colleagues of mine, I finally decided to take the seven hour drive to New Jersey and meet Alex Bacelar. I was definitely impressed by Alex's ability to maximize the sound of my cello. Having been an exceptional cellist himself, he understands the needs and expectations of fellow performers of string instruments. Alex is very experienced even with the finest instruments, and he was very accommodating to my tastes and professionally sought to meet them.

I have also played some of the new instruments that have been adjusted and sold at Bacelar Violins. I have not yet seen better value, for both student and professional players alike. I appreciate the friendly and relaxed atmosphere and more than anything, the peace of mind knowing that my cello is sounding as well as it can. I would without hesitation recommend Bacelar Violins.

-Gerald Morin, cellist, L’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal

 Alex Bacelar did some delicate work on my Nicolai Gagliano violin, the results of which were astonishing. Neither I nor some of my colleagues in the N.J. Symphony had ever heard the violin project such quality and quantity of sound. Alex is obviously a master of his craft-and I have recommended and will continue to recommend him to my colleagues and students.

-Joe Gluck, violinist, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

I am a cellist, now retired, who was a student of Leonard Rose, started out in the Toronto Symphony, competed in the 1962 Tchaikovsky competition and briefly joined the London Symphony as I returned through England finally back to rejoin the Toronto Symphony. Moved to Montreal and subsequently joined the Montreal Symphony also taught for the Conservatoire and McGill University.

Over the years the endless search for a really good instrument was rewarded and I had two, a superior French cello and a marvelous old Italian. The French instrument needed some repair and in view of it's quality I went to the most highly reputed dealer and repair service in New York where they did many things including changing the bass bar. The result was a loud but in the lower range very thin sound quality. I was told to wait for three or four months for it to break in - it never did. Finally, years later, a friend showed me work done on his instrument including a bass bar change with no break in period, it sounded wonderful, the repairs were done by Alejandro Bacelar. Alex doesn't pretend to do mysterious things with endless measuring, he measures yes, but then he listens for resonance through whatever means possible - tapping, knocking, playing, in order to adjust and balance the instrument. If it doesn't sound like it should right away he does what the instrument needs even if it means taking the top off and redoing the bass bar or whatever. He worked on my French cello and at last it is the glorious instrument it was meant to be. My Italian cello soon followed with the same marvelous results.

A student bought one of the Bacelar String Instruments cellos, which possess a sound quality far superior to their apparent potential due to the ministrations of Alex Bacelar.

I cannot recommend highly enough the wonderful work of this very talented man.

-Michael Kilburn, cellist, Montreal Symphony and professor at McGill University 

I am very happy with the violins that I have purchased from Bacelar String Instruments. These instruments are of fine quality and the prices are very reasonable. I have been to many shops, but what distinguishes Alex Bacelar's firm from the businesses of other violin-makers and restorers is his background as a professional cellist. He is able to understand the needs of his fellow musicians, and with this fine talent, he has an insider's knowledge of our instruments. I recommend him highly because he is gifted in what he does.

-Henry Kao, violinist & violist, New Jersey Symphony 

I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Maestro Bacelar for many years. During that time he has provided the most professional and personal attention to my instruments and bows. I would recommend him to any string player, not only for his quality repair work but also for the fabulous instruments he has made. Bacelar is the most valuable resource for all serious string players!

-Brett Deubner, violist, The Halcyon Trio and Duo Fresco 

Dear Alejandro: I just had to write you to tell you again how much I continue to enjoy the remarkable bow that you made for me a while back. Not only does it possess the dynamic yet nuanced playing qualities that I require for my chamber music work, but the workmanship is simply beyond reproach. I can honestly say that your bow compares most positively with several considerably more expensive famous maker French bows in my violin case. Ultimately, for the performer it's the playing quality that counts. Your bow delivers.

-Jon Greenstein, violinist, San Francisco, CA 

I have known Alejandro Bacelar for over a decade and have a deep respect for him both as a dealer and as a luthier for his ability to maximize the acoustic potential of any instrument. Over the years he has worked on my own instruments and many of my students have purchased fine violins and violas from him, which have enabled them to perform at their very best.

-Michael Locati, violinist & violist, Pennsylvania

I am extremely pleased with the beautiful slope-shouldered viola I recently bought from Mr. Bacelar. I love the distinctive design and, more importantly, the rich and vibrant sound of the instrument. I have received several compliments on the instrument’s sound since purchasing it a couple of months ago, and my teacher is absolutely ecstatic about it. Furthermore, the viola was much more affordable (as well as superior to) the other instrument I was considering, a fact I cannot help but be pleased about. As a student, I feel extremely privileged to own such an excellent instrument, and only hope to “grow into it” in my own musical abilities.

-Hannah Jackson, violist, Pennsylvania 

Recently, I was searching for a violin bow. I went to many shops and tried many bows around $3,000 by famous makers. In the end, I bought a bow from Alex Bacelar that plays just as well for less than a third of the price. I am very happy with the bow that I purchased from Alex and have been telling every musician I met about it.

-Ning Mu, violinist & violist, Pennsylvania 

I have known Alex for more than 25 years. After his work on my old French cello, the tone quality and the way the cello responds are compatible to those of fine rare Italian cellos. Over the years, I have recommended him to professional musicians and students. They have been very satisfied with his work and the instruments acquired from Alex. We are very grateful to have such a gifted craftsman who has a unique ability to create instruments with fabulous acoustic quality.

-Elizabeth Kalfayan, cellist, New Jersey 

Dear Mr. Bacelar, Thank you so much for the cello. The sound is amazing, and the whole feel of it is just great. I am very happy to say the trip from California was definitely worth it. You are a very talented and thorough maker, and I wish you the best!

-Francesca Fong, cellist, California