Purchasing an instrument

Your school orchestra teachers remember the excitement that comes with purchasing your very own instrument for the first time.               

    Congratulations if you and your family are ready for this important step!  Renting suits many families because of the size changes inherent in stringed instruments, their quality and durability, and because of the insurance if anything happens to the instruments.

Here are some tips to consider when you are ready to purchase your own instrument:

    Your MBRSD Orchestra teachers recommend purchasing good quality instruments and avoiding bargain priced instruments if possible.   We have seen many instruments purchased online that have low quality fittings, adjustments, strings and most importantly, low quality tone.   These instruments often are very frustrating to tune and they're very finicky to deal with for the students and teachers, and don't hold their value.

How much should I spend on an instrument?   Click here for tips!

One orchestra instrument company, SHAR, calls the sub-par instruments "Violin Shaped Objects"   More info. here: The Problem with Cheap Instruments Blog and Video

    The bows that are included with low quality instruments are to be avoided as well.   They often don't have the right camber, and have to be overtightened in order to be used.  We would rather you go with a "Glasser" fiberglass or carbon fiber student bow of the appropriate size, than a low quality wooden bow.

    We also want you to get a good return on your investment, in the (hopefully unlikely) event that your orchestra student finishes with their instrument. We recommend that you start with a reputable orchestra instrument dealer if at all possible. They will have a wide selection of "outfits" that they will stand behind.

Your orchestra teachers have been happy with purchases made at the following instrument retailers in the US, please click visit their online shops, or in the case of Johnson, visit online or in person.

Johnson Stringed Instruments in Newton, Massachusetts (a nice drive, and you can look at several different instruments at once)

SHAR - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Southwest Strings, Tuscon, Arizona

The MBRSD string teachers are very confident with the above stringed instrument shops, Johnson, SHAR and Southwest - they stand behind their products, and provide a wide variety of options that are well suited to students learning a stringed instrument.

Local options:

Also, Andy Buckland from Orion (he provides rentals for many of the MBRSD students) can sometimes find good quality new and used instruments for possible purchase. 491-7690

You may want to consider seeing what our local music store, Everyday Music has to offer.   778-3483

Larry Siegler at Siegler Stringed Instruments in Farmington often has instruments for sale. 778-0735

Again, we want you to consider the best quality possible, that will help the student progress, and it will make a better return on your investment both financially, and musically.

Sincerely,

Your Mt. Blue School Orchestra Teachers