A Viola Rental That Fits Your Needs
Whether you’re a beginning viola player in your school orchestra, just starting out, a violinist who wants to try your hand at playing the viola, or a more advanced player – renting a viola can have its advantages.
However, not all viola rental programs have the same features. You need to find one that fits your particular needs, so there are several considerations as to where to rent your viola.
Rental Options to Consider
Choose a program that offers a large selection of instruments for players of different skill levels – from the beginning student to the advanced player. Our rental program offers several levels of instruments: standard, advanced, and master violas. Standard rentals are good for students and other beginning players, while the advanced and master instruments are for more experienced musicians.
Rental terms are another important consideration. There are a variety of plans available when it comes to viola rentals, but a good program bases rental fees on the grade of the viola and the rental period. Some programs offer monthly rentals while others calculate fees based on a quarterly system.
If you are looking into a viola rental for a school student, it’s important that the program you decide upon has a good student program. For example, Johnson String’s partnership with many schools in New England provides reduced rental prices, and free shipping.
Shipping and Online Rentals
An added feature of many viola rental programs is online rental. Order your rental online and have it shipped right to your door! This is a great convenience, especially if you don’t live near a reputable viola rental store. Getting the right sized instrument is crucial to a successful learning experience, so the program should also offer detailed instructions about how to determine the size of your instrument.
Most programs offer shipping rates that are based on the method of preferred shipment, whether it be standard ground, two-day air, or next day.
Make sure that the viola rental program offers an insurance plan that can be included in the rental fee or offered at a small additional cost. A good policy will insure your instrument against theft and accidental damage as well as covering general repairs.
Upgrading Your Rental
Dedicated shops offer rental plans with some type of rent-to-own feature. You can use the equity or credit that you’ve accumulated toward the purchase of your current instrument, or toward upgrading to a better quality instrument.
And if you’re renting a viola for a child, the plan should allow for trading up or exchanging sizes – at no extra charge – when your child needs a larger instrument.
What’s Most Important? Knowledge, Experience, and a Good Reputation.
In the end, the rental company that you choose should have a great staff of dedicated craftsmen who produce and maintain high-quality instruments. You want to choose a company with experience not only in instrument rentals but in all facets of the business of stringed instruments.
Massachusetts-based Johnson String has been in the business of stringed instruments for over 40 years. We have built a solid reputation for having one of the best and most reliable rental programs in the country.
