Instrument Rental vs. Purchase

Why rent? 

For all but the most advanced middle school student, the quality of most available rental instruments is sufficient.  It is usually recommended to consider renting an instrument until the student is playing on a full-size instrument.  Most rental companies offer instrument insurance and free repair.  Many companies offer some kind of rent-to-own program.  If you are already on a rent-to-own program, keep track of how close you are to paying off the instrument so that you can upgrade to a full size instrument before your pay-off date. 

Why purchase? 

If the student is on a full size instrument and would benefit from playing on a higher quality of instrument it may be a good idea to look into purchasing an instrument.  Students intending to play through all 4 years of high school and possibly beyond should seriously consider owning their own high quality instrument. 

What should I be aware of when purchasing an instrument? 

Many of the cheaper instruments are of a lower quality than the student would be given when renting from a reputable dealer.  It is advisable to wait to purchase until you have saved enough or built up enough credit with a music store to get a very high quality instrument.  Always deal with reputable companies recommended by your orchestra director or private teacher.  There are numerous recommended vendors listed on our website. 

It is not recommended for students to purchase an instrument without trying it first. This does not completely eliminate internet shopping, as some reputable music companies without local shops, such as Shar Music, Southwest Strings, Robertson’s, and William Harris Lee, will ship the instrument to you for a trial period. 

Please do not purchase an instrument over the internet except from reputable dealers recommended by your orchestra director - you never know what you will be getting!  Many students lose their excitement about orchestra when they are playing on an instrument that doesn’t sound good or work properly.  Always have a professional such as your orchestra director or your private teacher help you evaluate the instrument before making a final purchase. 

In general, in the world of string instruments, you get what you pay for.  Cheaper instruments are made with inferior materials, more machine assembly, less individual handmade craftsmanship and often break easily.  Look in the highest price range you are reasonably able to afford and try out multiple instruments of different makers in that price range.  Keep in mind that it’s not out of the ordinary for musicians to take out private loans or payment plans to pay off an instrument, just like with any other large purchase.  High quality instruments usually hold their value or sometimes increase in value for resale, think of it as an investment! 

Instrument Insurance 

If you purchase an instrument worth a substantial amount of money it is advisable to look into instrument insurance, which is offered at affordable rates by various companies.  Many homeowner’s insurance policies also cover instrument damage but sometimes only in specific circumstances. Most professional musicians do not rely solely on homeowners’ insurance to protect the value of their instrument. The following article offers a good description of points to consider when choosing instrument insurance and insurance companies: http://stringsmagazine.com/how-to-buy-adequate-instrument-insurance/ 

The following companies offer instrument insurance:  Clarion, Heritage, Huntington Block