Public and Private School Orchestra and Lesson
Programs
Services Provided by Lisle Violin Shop
Frequently Asked Questions
1)
How can I order an instrument and accessories?
By phone: 800-545-4753, 281-487-7303, 713-526-4005 or ONLINE
at www.violins.com. Prior to placing your order, you should consult with
your teacher to determine size, instrument quality recommendations, and
supplies. If you order online, you will be directed through a series of
selection boxes. When you near the end, a text box will allow you to write
in which accessories you need - and be sure to type in the name of the school
that your child is attending. Of course, you are always welcome at either
of our locations.
2)
What about delivery?
Delivery is free. If you do not live within our local service
area, shipping by UPS Ground is free. The instruments and accessories may
be delivered or shipped to your orchestra teacher at the location of their
choice, usually their office at their home school. UPS service may also
be direct to your home.
3)
What happens if my instrument
needs service? Do I come to your store?
Service, including repairs, is the
one of the best reasons for choosing Lisle Violin Shop for your child's
instrument company. Your instrument will receive first class service
from professionally trained, experienced violinmakers - the best workmanship.
We are a violin specialty shop. You are always welcome at our shops - and
we would love to have you come to see a violin shop at work - but it is
not necessary. Call or email whenever service is needed and we will take
care of it at school. Be sure that your teacher has the instrument and we
will stop at your teacher's home school and either make the repair on the
spot or bring it back to the shop for repair. If you know that the instrument
must go into the shop for repair, tell us when you call and a loaner will
be provided. If you are not in our local service area and your instrument
requires repair, we will UPS a loaner instrument to you if wish, and you
can return your instrument to us for service. Lisle Violin Shop will pay
shipping costs to you. Shipping costs from the customer to us will be the
responsibility of the customer - and we suggest that customer purchase UPS
insurance. Keep your box and packing material for easy return shipping.
We suggest that you go directly to a UPS office to save shipping costs.
You may also use the US Postal Service.
4)
Everyone seems to be saying
"rent" for our first instrument. Why?
There are several reasons why renting is to your advantage,
and specifically why renting from Lisle Violin Shop has some unique features.
Rental is inexpensive on a monthly basis and if a child does not continue
with an instrument, little has been invested, little has been lost. In fact,
most children DO CONTINUE after the first year into the intermediate school
orchestras and on to high school. A better reason
for renting is that you probably will not want to buy the first
instrument, or perhaps not the second either. Elementary age children usually
begin on instruments that are smaller than the adult sizes. Commonly called
3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and so on, these instruments will be outgrown until the player
reaches the adult full size (4/4) instrument. Even those starting on very
nice full size instruments may wish to purchase a better instrument as they
advance.
Lisle Violin Shop advertises the rental rates as the TOTAL MONTHLY
PAYMENT - no hidden charges, extra fees, etc. Included in the TOTAL is
a $5.00 fee for the insurance/maintenance (called Protection Plan) and
sales tax. The rest is rent. Rent money paid is 100% credit to the
purchase of your rental or towards the future purchase of a larger
or more expensive instrument. There are no minimum or maximum number of
months required - you can return at any time or use your credit toward
purchase at any time. There is only one limit. Credits from rental may
be used for up to 80% of the purchase price of an instrument. (Example,
if you buy a $1000 instrument, up to $800 of the purchase price can come
from rental credits.)
Because most children do continue, it is to your advantage to begin with
a shop that has an upward path in quality appropriate to your child's
progress. As a string specialty shop, Lisle Violin Shop maintains an inventory
of finer instruments, professionally prepared in our shop for advancing
students at reasonable, market prices. Your rental credits will always
apply to market prices- not the significantly higher "list"
prices. Over a course of several years, you would be able to obtain higher
quality, handmade instruments while saving hundreds, or even thousands
of dollars.
5)
Your brochure mentions the
Protection Plan. Are broken strings covered?
Yes, you may receive replacement strings at no extra cost
under this plan. String breakage is really not a very big problem. Many
students will not have a broken string in the first year. However, strings
often should be replaced for other reasons. We will be happy to replace
strings that are false, dead, or have worn outer windings. Strings will
go bad one at a time, so we anticipate that whenever a replacement is needed,
the parent (or teacher) will call us and we will mail or deliver a replacement
string to you or your teacher. It is very easy for your teacher to change
the string.
6)
My child is just a beginner; why not
get the cheapest instrument I can find?
"just a beginner" - Please - take this great
new adventure seriously. Learning a stringed instrument is fun - but it
is also a serious endeavor. Beginners need all the help they can get! Your
support, good teaching, efficient practice habits, the right materials,
and a good, professionally adjusted instrument, are the ingredients that
will make your child successful. Lisle Violin Shop wants your child to be
successful and we select and prepare instruments to professional standards
well above the usual "shrink-wrapped" standards of most generalized
music companies.
7)
If your instruments are of
higher quality, then are your rental rates higher?
Our rates should be higher, but are not necessarily so. Frequently
we are much less expensive per month on better instruments.
8)
Used instruments are less expensive
to rent than new, so why not rent used?
Renting used instruments is just fine. Simply being used is
not a problem. If the instrument is correctly set-up in good playing condition,
has a good case, and a bow with new hair, it would be as playable as new
- even if it had cosmetic damage such as nicks, scratches, or previous repairs.
However, timing is an important issue. The best used instruments are
selected first. School instrument drives began in May so most of our best
($20 per month) used violins and violas - the ones originally set-up new
in our shop - are rented early in the season. The remainder and the best
of the $15 per month instruments usually rent within the first four weeks
of school. All used cellos are generally rented within the first four
weeks of school. Due to scheduling and recruiting issues, most elementary
string programs begin four to six weeks after school starts. This situation
should be common to all music companies who consistently try to provide
their customers with the best available instruments.
Yes, trade-in instruments may come in at any time and a few excellent
used instruments will be available, especially October - May. We will
be happy to select the used instrument in best condition at your request.
If you want a better instrument in great condition, order a new instrument.
Remember, any additional money that you pay for a new rental is
100% credit.
9)
Why are cello rentals more
expensive?
Cellos cost more to buy, especially fully carved cellos. A
very important question for you, the renter, to ask if you are inquiring
at other music stores: "Is the cello fully carved or plywood?"
If the answer is "I do not know" or "plywood" or "huh"
- then call us - all the Model 30 and Model 321 cellos are fully carved
from solid woods for cello-like sound and responsiveness.
10)
In your brochure and website,
you list the Model 321 as a finer cello. Why?
The cello model 321 is a handmade, fully carved cello with
beautiful figured woods and a brushed on oil varnish. The harder woods give
this cello an excellent projected tone. We have not seen this quality of
cello offered anywhere else as a rental. Lisle Violin Shop offers this as
a rental because this cello is very rewarding to play. A player who loves
his cello is more likely to excel with a better instrument. Also, the parents
of cellists must be realistic concerning the cost of the instruments. Good
cellos are expensive and building up a substantial credit through rental
will make the first purchase easier. Yes, it is worth the extra $10 per
month for the Model 321.
11)
In your brochure and website,
several violin/small viola models are listed. Can you explain the differences?
The Model 107 is available in 4/4 Violin and 14" Viola
only. The varnish color is brown. These are typically "darker"
sounding instruments preferred by some players. The Model 112, our most
popular model, is a red brown varnished instrument - typically with a bright
clear tone and very responsive. It is available in all sizes. The Model
106, is less expensive to buy than the 112 or 107, and therefore appropriate
for someone desiring a lower cost purchase option in the future. The 106
is handmade with a amber brushed oil varnish over handsome wood. Available
in 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4 Violins and 11", 12", 13", and 14"
violas, this is lovely choice for a new student. All models will be fitted
with Wittner Ultralight tailpieces with 4 tuners built in, and an ebony
chinrest.
12)
Why choose a violin specialty
shop rather than an ordinary music store?
If you want finer equipment, properly adjusted, with first
rate service to back it up, you would choose a specialty shop. For better
equipment, would you not choose a bike shop over a department store? Or
a camera shop over a discount store? If you choose Lisle Violin Shop you
will receive specialty services without high prices. Lisle Violin Shop
is family owned and committed to high quality products and services.
