Click on the links below to visit the sites of our locally approved vendors where you can rent, repair and purchase instruments. The approved vendors also carry the Class Supply List including: rosin, rock stop, shoulder rest, strings, folding music stand, tuner and class books. Please make arrangements for your rental contract as early as possible (May or before previous school year ends) because the approved vendors are typically inundated in August-September.

Purchase or Upgrade your Rental

For beginners we recommend renting rather than buying. Be aware that most beginners will start on a smaller than full-sized instrument, and you will likely need to purchase more than one instrument throughout middle school. Make arrangements for your rental contract as early as possible (April through June), because the approved vendors are typically inundated in August-September.

If you still wish to proceed with a purchase, here are some recommendations and also caution about brands to avoid.

For intermediate or advanced players, if you know your child is 1) committed to orchestra through high school 2) playing on a full-sized instrument and 3) you are ready to purchase, there are several routes to take. If your student is taking private lessons, first ask the teacher for guidance. They can help you test drive some instrument choices.

Option 1. Purchase an upgraded instrument from the store you are currently renting from. If you are using one of the approved vendors above, check with them on the process of applying your rental fees towards credit to purchase an upgrade.

Option 2. Here are some additional high-quality stringed instrument dealers for your upgrades. 

Young Musicians'

William Harris Lee

Lisle Violin Shop

Amati Violin Shop

Robertson & Sons

Option 3. If you are trying to buy locally and you do not want to use one of our approved vendors, check Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, pawn shops, etc. for good quality used brands. Here are some excellent student brands: Eastman, Bella, Strobel, Knilling, and Becker.

Avoid VSOs (Violin Shaped Objects)

What is a VSO?

The term VSO refers to the umbrella of items passing as violins but not functioning as them. This earns the item the name Violin Shaped Object. There are also poorly constructed violas, cellos and basses which may fit this same description. While a VSO may look exactly like a regular violin, they do not sound like one! VSOs are found for cheap, but do not be tempted by the low price point - as the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for"!

AVOID

• Avoid these brands - Cecilio, Cremona, Bellafina

• Do not purchase an instrument at an online general merchandise store 

How to spot a VSO:

• Instrument will not stay in tune, bridge keeps falling down

• Pegs slip frequently, pegs may feel squishy, pegs may break easily 

• Very shiny, thick lacquer varnish or painted finish that deadens the sound

• "Mystery" wood that is not declared by the seller

• Painted black “ebony” fingerboard that is made from a cheaper, lighter wood

• Cheap, plastic fittings that break easily

• Improper nut height that sets strings too low or too high 

• Bridge is extremely too high or too low 

• Bridge is soft wood, misaligned, and/or not custom cut to fit the violin

• Painted purfling

Investing in your child's future

It is always tempting to buy a cheap instrument for a young student or beginning adult. Keep in mind, however, you may end up spending hundreds of dollars in necessary improvements just to make the VSO playable. And even after spending the money, you still may not like the way it sounds or feels! A well-made student violin will last throughout the years and is always a worthy investment in your child's future.