• Rental Program Info
• How to Rent Online
• Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Reserve Your Rental Instrument Now:   Save time and avoid back-to-school crowds. It is remarkably easy and convenient to rent an instrument from Antonio Strad Violin . We have a proven track record of providing quality instruments and excellent service to our customers for more than 12 years. We will reserve your instrument now and provide free delivery to your child's school before the orchestra program begins. Plus , there is no billing until the instrument is delivered.

Delivery is available during the Back-to-School season (August, September, October) to:

San Antonio School Orchestra String Programs at NEISD, NISD, Alamo Heights ISD, Judson ISD, SAISD, Somerset ISD, SWISD, Boerne ISD, Kerrville ISD.

Rental Program Info

Antonio Strad Violin has had an unbeatable Rental Program for its quality instruments at low monthly rental fees for over twelve years, and we are committed to offering the program for years to come. Our rental program is very flexible, designed to meet the needs of students, teachers and parents. We pledge that your experience acquiring an instrument from Antonio Strad Violin will be both pleasant and beneficial.

We guarantee to provide:

• The lowest rental rates on quality instruments, each one individually adjusted to top playing condition for player to easily play.

• We use quality Pro-Arte, Zyex, Dominant, Vision, Jargar, or Helicore strings on all our rentals instruments

• The lowest rates on maintenance and insurance (Protection Plan)

• The highest rental credit towards purchase

• The largest selection of instruments

• A knowledgeable and experienced staff to serve you

-- Rent Month-by-Month for As Long As You Want--
--Return, Upgrade, or Purchase at Any Time--
(Use the 100% Monthly Rental Fee for Purchase)
-- Enjoy 100% Coverage under our Protection Plan--
(Repair, Accidental Damage, Theft)

All Sizes Are Available:

• Violin:  1/32,  1/16,  1/10,   1/8,   1/4,   1/2,   3/4,     4/4
• Viola:   12",   13",    14",     15",   15 1/2", 16",  16 1/2"
• Cello:   1/8,   1/4,     1/2,     3/4,    4/4
• Bass:    1/8,   1/4,     1/2,     3/4 (full size)

        All Rental Outfits include instrument, case, bow, rosin and name tag.

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How to Rent Online

My child is a beginner; shouldn't I just buy an inexpensive instrument somewhere?

You can find cheap violins and other string instruments on the internet, at flea markets, or even in some music stores. They are cheap because they are made by unskilled workers instead of highly trained professional makers. Such instruments are often made from unseasoned, poor quality wood. As a result, these instruments are hard to tune, hard to play in tune, and they are difficult to handle. The frustrations of playing an inferior instrument often lead to a lack of interest in playing. Moreover, the cost of suitable replacement parts may be higher than the cost of the cheap instrument itself.

It takes much less time and effort to make progress on a good instrument. Your child's success depends on it, along with good teaching, efficient practice, and the parents' encouragement and success. It requires a serious effort to produce a beautiful sound on a stringed instrument.

Antonio Strad Violin wants your child to be successful. We select, prepare, and adjust each instrument according to professional standards, and we do that at a low cost to you. These quality instruments are much easier to learn to play. In addition, we stand behind our instruments with unmatched customer service


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What are the advantages of renting from Antonio Strad Violin ?

Beginners of all ages start music lessons for a variety of reasons. Many discover a passion for playing music that will last a lifetime. Those who love playing music often have something in common: they get off to a good start. Along with good teaching, technical fundamentals, and family encouragement, they have access to quality instruments and reliable service support.

Antonio Strad Violin exists to support musicians of all levels and ages. As a violin-family instrument speciality shop, we offer a wide range of instrument sizes and quality levels, professionally prepared for you at reasonable prices. Also, you may at any time apply rental fees to the purchase of a higher quality, or handmade, or even a rare, fine instrument. With an eye to the future, you can rest assured that you have placed your trust in a family-owned music shop that will provide you with professional, personalized service for many years to come.

At Antonio Strad Violin, a trained professional will always carefully help you choose the proper size and quality of instrument. It is our desire and commitment that each customer leaves our store with a feeling of pride in his purchase, confident in the knowledge that we can expertly answer any question, technical or general, regarding our instruments and their care and service.

Antonio Strad Violin is a full-service shop founded in 1994. Our specialty is the violin family of instruments, related accessories, music lessons, and method books. We are comprised of formally trained violin makers, repairers, restorers, teachers, and professional players. This enables us to offer students, parents, and musicians a level of knowledge and service unavailable at any other music store. Our promise is to provide higher quality instruments and service at the lowest prices. We take care of the needs of all of our customers: from beginners to professional musicians. Our conservatory-trained violin makers are ready to take care of repairs, modifications, and restorations at any time. All our instruments are individually adjusted to professional players' higher standards, and we keep our purchase/rent prices lower than our competitors.

• We install ebony fingerboards on all student instruments and plane them to exacting specifications for easier playing.
• We install genuine German tailpieces (Wittner) with built in fine-tuners, the best product on the market.
• We shape and install ebony pegs and end buttons so the instruments are easily tuned and stay that way.
• We hand carve every bridge: the feet to match the face of the instrument; the curve to offset string thickness and to make all notes easy to play.
• All bows come with real horsehair.
• Old or new, all student instrument outfits are guaranteed to be in excellent playing condition.
• Instruments come with a full year warranty against defects in craftsmanship.
• At Antonio Strad Violin "professional" does not mean expensive; it does mean quality instruments and services at all times.
• Our instruments, bows, cases and accessories are discounted up to 45% from the list price.
  
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How do I determine the correct instrument size?


Violins and violin-family instruments are available in smaller sizes to make it easier for children to learn to play. Getting the proper size is even more important than getting the correct size of clothes. An instrument that is too big can be nearly impossible to play, while one that is too small may not produce the best tone and technique. Determining the size of the instrument is important and easy!


The best method : Ask your teacher or a professional string musician to measure the student with actual instruments.

A Good Method : Determine the size on your own. We offer the following guidelines:


Measure with a yardstick , if you don't have a real instrument:

With the left arm extended out fully to the side, palm up, place a yardstick under the chin/jaw, touching the neck (to simulate a violin). Record the measurement in the center of the palm. At this point, you don't want any slack in the arm. The chart below will indicate the correct size instrument.


Violin sizes	Arm length measurements in inches	Approximate age
1/16	14" .........15 3/8"	3-5 years
1/10	15 3/8" ....16 7/8"	3-5 years
1/8	16 7/8" ....18 1/2"	3-5 years
1/4	18 1/2" ....20 3/8"	4-7 years
1/2	20 3/8" ....22 1/4"	6-10 years
3/4	22 1/4"....23 5/8"	9-11 years
4/4 (full size)	23 5/8" ................	12 years to adult




Viola sizes	Arm length measurements in inches	Approximate age
13"   Jr. Viola	21 5/8" ....23 1/4"	9-11 years
14" Intermediate	23 1/4" ....24 7/8"	12 years to adult
15"	24 7/8" ....25 7/8"	13 years adult
15 1/2"	25 7/8" ....26 5/8"	13 years adult
16"	26 5/8" ....27 1/4"	13 years adult
16 1/2"	1/2" 27 1/4" ...28"	13 years adult


Measure with an actual instrument:

• 
  

  If you have access to an instrument, here's how you can determine if it is the correct size. With the arm fully extended out to the side, the child should be able to cup the majority of the fingers around the top of the scroll.

  There are a few other factors to consider when determining the proper size instrument. It is usually best to get an instrument that is too small rather than to try and play an instrument that is too big. This is especially true for beginners. An experienced player may choose to go for a bigger tone, however, and sacrifice technique for a larger instrument of better quality. In addition to the length of the arm, the length of the fingers can be used to indicate if the student should move up earlier or wait for the arm to grow a little more. Please remember that it is easier to learn on an instrument that is too small than one that is too big.

  Measuring yourself or a child for cello size:
  
  Seat the child (or yourself) so that the knees are bent at a ninety-degree angle. The upper rim of the cello body should rest on the sternum (breast bone), and the left knee should contact the curve below the lower bout corner. The C string peg (for the thickest string) should be near the left ear, with the neck of the cello a few inches away from the shoulder. The left hand should be able to reach both ends of the fingerboard with ease. (go back to instructions)
  
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  How do I choose from the different prices on the Rental Rate Chart ?
  
  Generally, you choose a monthly payment you feel comfortable with. All our instruments are good quality, suitable for beginners. A move to an up-grade is an option at any time. All the instruments at Antonio Strad Violin  are individually adjusted to professional standards, making them much easier to learn and play. However, there are quality and cost differences between models from different makers. A better instrument will have a better sound, which makes it more enjoyable to play and adds to a player's confidence. (Check: What should I know about instrument quality?)
  
  
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  What should I know about instrument quality?
  

  Spruce wood for the top of the instrument, maple for the back, sides, and the neck, and natural ebony fittings are the basic materials for the violin family of instruments. Many instruments on the market NOT made with these special woods are nothing more than violin imitations. Even with the right kinds of wood, a real violin can be made only by a highly trained maker who possesses special knowledge and skills. The surface of the fingerboard, the height of both bridge and nut, and the arch of the bridge are all crucial in the construction of a quality instrument. A fine quality instrument can improve your playing significantly and contribute to your joy in playing music.

  Higher quality instruments are being made today by skilled artisans, exhibiting unique craftsmanship in the art of making quality string instruments. These superb artists and craftsmen pay careful attention to every detail, requiring hundred of hours to create an instrument. They put their names on the labels inside violins. Instruments like these can be quite expensive.

  At Antonio Strad Violin in San Antonio you will find new and used, quality instruments from the best workshops in Europe and China. Gold-medal winning (in international competitions) Chinese makers are producing string instruments exclusively for us. We also carry contemporary and older fine instruments from around the world, which are standard for competitions, scholarship auditions, and professional performances.
  
  
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  Is it a good idea to reserve an instrument before school starts?
  

  Absolutely. Your time, your convenience, and the availability of specific instrument models are important issues. Rentals are on a first come, first serve basis. Early reservation gives you more options in receiving the instrument model of your choice. Remember: When you reserve an instrument, we will deliver it to your child’s school. (Please provide delivery information on the Rental Form.) Billing does not start until the instrument is delivered. We sincerely recommend reservations.
  For reservations: click here
  
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  Should I continue to rent through the summer?
  

Yes, for two very important reasons.

First, private lessons in the summer can provide both the novice and experienced musicians with opportunities for personal advancement. (Private Lessons information) When school is out, students usually have more time and energy to devote to practice. In addition, many universities, some school districts, and the San Antonio Youth Orchestras offer orchestra summer camps which combine recreation with an intense orchestra agenda, including chamber music and private tutoring from campus faculty members. The more you practice, the better you play and the more you enjoy the music. The summer break is too long to go without playing, especially if you want to be a skilled player and be competitive in the school orchestra.

Second, as you continue to practice through the summer on your rental instrument, you continue to accumulate rental credit towards the purchase or a larger or better quality instrument. If you stop renting in the summer, the rental credit already earned is lost. Then in the fall you have to start over again.



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Is learning to play a musical instrument worth the effort involved?


Numerous research studies have shown that learning to play a musical instrument contributes to higher level thinking skills and often leads to increased math, reading comprehension, and overall test scores. A daily practice routine, supported by parents and teachers, can only serve to benefit the music learner.


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Where can I get information about private lessons? Click Here


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