Instrument Rental FAQ's

Every rental comes with an instrument, a case, a bow, and a cake of rosin. All bows are strung with horsehair to provide the best possible response and tone. Please note that for cello rentals we provide soft, backpack-style cases, instead of hard-shell cello cases. These are much easier for young children to carry, and help us to keep our rental rates down.

Carbon fiber bows are provided for our Advanced and Master levels of rentals. Carbon fiber has all the great playing properties of a wooden stick, without the typical mechanical issues that occur with inexpensive wooden bows. Wooden bows may be substituted by special request by adding a note in the Additional Notes field at Checkout, or by calling 800-359-9351.

Standard instruments come with a durable, lightweight fiberglass bow that works well for beginning students and young children. Carbon fiber (or wood by special request) can be provided for our Standard outfits for an additional fee. ($6/month for violins and violas, $8/month for cellos) Please note that you cannot rent a bow by itself, but only as part of an instrument outfit.

Please Note: Upgraded bows are not available for 1/16 and 1/10 size violins, 1/16 and 1/10 size violas, 1/10 size cellos, and all standard basses.

Include our Liability Damage Waiver (LDW) in your rental to provide coverage for accidental damage to, and repair and maintenance of your instrument. Some special circumstances may apply. Details will be provided for you during the pre-registration process.

Most types of accidental damage and all broken strings are covered by LDW if you included that with your rental. Customers are welcome to visit the shop at any time to have a broken string replaced or damaged instrument/bow exchanged. We can also ship a replacement string or instrument/bow. Simply place an order via your online account, or via phone at 800-359-9351. Broken string replacement orders ship for free.

For instruments and bows, the customer is responsible for both outbound and inbound shipping costs. In most cases we will ship the replacement instrument, and the customer would use the same box to ship back the damaged instrument within 2 weeks.

To return instruments, customers are welcome to purchase a prepaid FedEx Return Label at Johnson String Instrument standard shipping rates, which are often much cheaper than FedEx Store or Post Office retail rates.

The first time you rent an instrument at Johnson's, your initial three months of rent is non-refundable. This is to accommodate the costs involved with getting our instruments ready to be rented.

Please note that due to the costs involved, we do not offer "trials" of our rental instruments. If you have questions, please call us for more information.

As a courtesy to our customers, we send out Rental Renewal Notices at least two weeks, and usually 3-4 weeks, before your rental is due. There are three easy ways to renew your rental: you can send a check before the due date, renew with credit card through your online account, or call us at (800) 359-9351 and renew your rental over the phone using a credit card.

You can upgrade your rental outfit at any time. Rent paid on your account will be pro-rated to accommodate the new type of rental instrument.

You can exchange your rental for another instrument of the same type at any time. Exchanges will not interrupt your rental payment, or the terms of your rental agreement.

The best way to size your child is to bring them into our store and have someone on staff size them or to have your teacher size them. When this isn't possible, there are a few options. This information page, with charts and a video, will help show you approximate arm lengths for violin and viola, and approximate heights for cello and bass.

At this time, rentals are available only within the United States and its territories. Import duties and shipping charges become very expensive when renting from abroad.

Our store, including the bass and guitar shop, is located in Newton Upper Falls, MA, just west of Boston. Driving directions.

Johnson String regularly visits many schools throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and New York. Please contact us via phone, email or livechat if you'd like more information about making this available for your school. View our current school service trip schedule.

We require all of our rental customers to have a valid credit card number on file while an instrument is being rented. The credit card holder becomes the responsible party for the account, and should be the person who registers for the rental through our website.

In accordance with state laws, rent is taxable for residents of applicable states, as well as all in-store transactions.

Shipping fees are not included with the cost of the rental. This helps us keep our rental rates low. As a long-distance rental customer, you are responsible for payment of both outbound and inbound shipping costs in the event that an instrument needs to be shipped. Please call our Customer Service Department during business hours to receive a discounted FedEx label in the event that you need to ship an instrument.

Rental fees and the cost of items you have selected to purchase will be charged to your credit card based on how you'd like to receive the instrument. Shipping orders are charged the day that your order ships. Delivery orders, if we are meeting you in person, are sometimes charged after we have delivered your instrument. This helps accommodate last-minute requests and adjustments. Hold for Pickup requests will be charged as soon as your order is confirmed. Hold for Pickup requests are confirmed via telephone within one business day (M - F).

Shipping fees are not included with the cost of the rental. This helps us keep our rental rates low. As a long-distance rental customer, you are responsible for payment of both outbound and inbound shipping costs in the event that an instrument needs to be shipped. Please call our Customer Service Department during business hours to receive a discounted FedEx label in the event that you need to ship an instrument.

Our Rental Credit Policy allows a portion of what you pay in rent to be applied towards the cost of an instrument of equal or greater value - either from our rental stock or from our sales department.* You may use 100% of the first year's rental fees (excluding LDW and tax), and 20% of all subsequent rental fees, toward the purchase price.

* Please note: Rental credit may not be used to purchase bows, cases, electric instruments, or consignment instruments. Rentals are sold as outfits only, with bow and case included. Rental credit will be valid for two years after the close of your rental account, after which time it may be forfeited.

For first-time players, we typically recommend renting an instrument as opposed to purchasing. This will enable you to get a feel for the instrument and decide if you would like to continue, without making such a large financial commitment right off the bat.

Also, since young children play smaller instruments, our rental program allows for size exchanges at any time and eliminates the need to periodically purchase new instruments as the student grows.

By including our comprehensive Liability Damage Waiver, you will not be responsible for the cost of repairs due to accidental damage, normal wear and tear, and broken strings - benefits not available under policies for instrument owners - giving you unparalleled peace of mind and saving money on routine maintenance.

Additionally, our Rental Credit plan puts aside a portion of your rental payments which can be used to purchase an instrument when the time is right.