The Upper String Shop Project

The Upper String Shop, LLC is a partnership between Joe McDevitt from Reading, PA, and Greg Glessner from State College, PA. In 2024, Joe and Greg realized they could team up to bring a wider selection of good and affordable string instruments to their communities. With their unique combination of experience and knowledge, Joe and Greg create a way for people to access not only great student rentals, but also an ever-growing collection of fantastic upgrades to keep pace with students as they grow in their musicianship.

Joe graduated from the North Bennett Street School in Boston, and has a passion for violin making and restoration. As the owner of Fegley’s in Reading, PA, Joe is renowned for his repair work and handmade violins. Greg graduated from Penn State with a master’s degree in violin performance, and built a rental program from scratch in State College. In addition to performing, he teaches a full violin and viola studio. Joe and Greg both serve student and professional string players in their respective communities with their expertise in string instrument set up and repair.