A Guide To Renting/Buying a String Instrument

Welcome to strings!  It is very important when purchasing or renting an instrument that careful attention is given to the quality of the instrument.  Students that have high quality instruments usually invest more time in practicing.  Many off the shelf instruments were made in an unfinished condition, although they appear perfectly all right to the untrained eye.  It is critical that the instruments are shop-adjusted (by a strings specialist) before you buy/rent the instrument.

WHEN AN INSTRUMENT IS SHOP-ADJUSTED, THE SHOP CHECKS THE FOLLOWING:

• Pegs fit into the peg holes, secure yet easily manipulated, not jammed stuck in the peg holes, enabling easier tuning (most off the shelf instruments do not have properly fitted pegs)
• Sound post is adjusted for optimum tone (this can only be done by a trained string technician).
• Bridge is custom fitted to the instrument – allows students to play comfortably, strings are not set too high/low
• Tailpiece is adjusted securely
• Chin rest is placed correctly and securely
• Nut adjusted to correct height to enable comfortable finger position

A really cheap instrument is no bargain if it causes a beginning student to quit in frustration. There are instruments on the market that are so poorly made that they are impossible to play, sound bad, and fall apart easily!  Just as you would not to buy a bicycle for a beginner with flat tires and rusty chains and expect that person to learn how to ride a bike, you should not expect a beginner to suffer with an inferior instrument.

It is important to note that--unlike cars--instruments do not drop drastically in price if they are "previously owned". Used cars eventually wear out and die. String instruments can last for centuries. Many people feel they acquire a very desirable sound. Instruments from famous makers will go up in price as their availability diminishes. This is why the purchase of an instrument is also a good investment.

OTHER INSTRUMENT CONSIDERATIONS

• No plywood used at all!
• Hand made instruments only – do not purchase otherwise
• Quality strings installed – “Thomastik - Dominant”, “D’Addario”, “Jargar” (cello)
• Bow is not fiberglass, but made of wood (pernambuco preferred, some Coda graphite fiber bows are good)
• Bow hair is not synthetic, but made of real horsehair
• Instrument Sizing: Although a parent will wisely choose clothing in a larger size for a child to "grow into", this is not a good practice in selecting an instrument size. A too-large instrument will contribute to poor technical habits.

We highly recommend going to a store that specializes in string instruments.  A regular music store will not do the above before selling the instrument to you.  To do the above the store will need to employ a strings specialist  - a string luthier.  Most general music stores or discount catalog may have a particular brand of instrument which is less expensive than the same brand sold at a store that specializes in string instruments.  Most often, the cheaper instrument is sold right out of the case with no regard to its set-up.  There are many string instruments out there.  There are many instruments out there that are not worth their purchase prices.  Also, bare in mind that buying/renting a string instrument is entirely different from buying/renting a band instrument.  We strongly urge you to spend money wisely by taking time to find the best instrument for your child.  A trained strings specialist is more than willing to spend as much time as it takes to fit each student to the proper instrument.  A quality string instrument will retain its value, or in some cases appreciate in value.

WHEN CHOOSING A STORE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

• Make sure that the store has agenerous trade-in policy to lessen the expense of moving through various sizes/upgrading the instrument.  You would not want a garage full of small instruments not being used.
• Have student or shop salesperson play on different instruments, compare the tone (Student may play simple songs they have learned)
• If student is studying privately with a teacher, ask to take a couple of instruments to teacher for final selection. (Reputable stores will do this)

Recommended brands: Forena model 25, 20C, 40C – all handmade, Franz Junger model A-500 – handmade H.K.Schmidt model C-500 – handmade, R. Paesold model P.A. 800 – handmade