Renting a violin can be a great way to enter the world of music making. Because young students outgrow their violins quickly, renting makes sense. And there are many options on the internet for renting.

Why is this the BEST rent-to-own plan on the web?

• Own the instrument in just 12 months - not 20, 24 or even 36 months like other plans.

• Pay NO INTEREST on the plan - other companies impose hefty finance charges.

• All instruments are substantially discounted - you'l never pay FULL PRICE like other plans.

• All instruments are NEW - you won't get some old, used instrument that others send out.

• Quality, brand names ONLY - no off-brand, cheap imports that many others rent/sell.

• If your child quits playng, you can stop the plan - no long term obligation like most others.

• Great customer service from musicians who care and take pride in their work!

RENT-TO-OWN A VIOLIN: Best Plan on the Web

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Don't want to own it - just rent? Get even smaller monthly payments with
STRAIGHT RENTAL

We have researched and used many different brands of violins in our school music programs. We have learned the hard way that some "brands" will never play properly - and in fact - many repairmen won't even touch them because parts are not available or construction is so poor to begin with that no repairs are possible.

If you find a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. And just because the violin is for a beginning student doesn't mean they can learn on an inferior instrument with a fuzzy tone, squeeky strings, cheap bow and breaking parts.

Finding a middle ground between an expensive professional model and an affordable, QUALTIY, student violin is why we recommend Eastman Strings.

Eastman Strings is a company that produces some of the best quality stringed instruments in the industry. All materials are of excellent quality in grade and preparation. The instruments themselves are all individually made and carved by hand. You can read about their methods in the Workshop Tour portion of their website: www.eastmanstrings.com/eastmanstrings/workshop/workshop.htm

You can rent Eastman strings at a substantial discount online at:

More Information to Help You Choose a Quality, Value-Priced Violin

The most important things involved with determining the value of a violin in this range are materials and method of construction. Neither of these things are that apparent when looking at an instrument. The maple and spruce used to make the instrument should be aged and air-dried. The carving should be done by hand and not machines.

A lot of beginning student violins will claim this to be true when in fact the wood is "green" or dried by a kiln and then pressed with moisture and heat to create the arching.There are many different brands and labels found inside stringed instruments that are being offered out there and it is not always worth the risk just to save a little money. Most often the descriptions for these instruments include everything that people are taught to look for.

"Solid spruce top, solid maple back, sides and neck… Ebony fingerboard, ebony pegs, inlaid purfling, Brazilwood bow with genuine horsehair…" We have all heard it over and over again but unfortunately this is not always the case and even sometimes when it is technically true, you can still end up with an inferior instrument that will require replacement very quickly…or a lifetime of maintenance and repair.

The set-up is VERY important when considering a student level instrument. A poorly set-up instrument can actual inhibit the student from learning technique and ultimately turn them off of the instrument and music altogether. Often times instruments will claim to come with a “shop adjustment” when in actuality they arrive with a set of cheap Chinese steel strings stretched over a very cheap maple bridge that can be snapped in your fingers.

The strings may also be so high that it physically hurts to play. Stringed instruments should come set-up by a reputable professional using a good quality maple bridge (like Bausch, Despiau, Aubert), a respected brand of strings (like Prelude, Dominant, Helicore) and a good quality tailpiece with four fine tuners (like Wittner). The nut and bridge should be cut to a sufficient height so the strings are not too high and can easily be played. The soundpost should be adjusted for sound.

Many discount outfits will advertise a “Brazilwood bow with genuine horsehair”. All hair used on stringed instrument bows is genuine horsehair. Synthetic hair is no longer used or manufactured by anyone. Brazilwood bows at this level are usually warped and very weak, often breaking at the tip. You should look for a good quality fiberglass or carbon fiber bow to accompany your student stringed instrument (like K. Holtz or Glasser). When the player becomes more advanced you might want to start looking for a better quality Pernambuco wood bow that actually compliments your instrument.

It is always better to go with an instrument brand that has a good reputation. Even if it is not the cheapest, you will end up paying a lot less in maintenance, repairs and replacements.