The school has a relationship with Quinlan and Fabish for your convenience. Through this relationship, a representative form the store comes to the school once a week to pick up repairs, drop off loaners for instruments going in for repair and those that have been repaired, and bring larger instruments for students who have outgrown the size they are playing. You are, or course, free to use another store. If you are shopping around and considering renting from another store, below are questions that are recommended to ask so you can make the most informed decision possible. 

• How much do you charge?
• What accessories are included with the rental? (Your child will need a shoulder rest and rosin.)
• How much of the rent goes towards purchase price in the future?
• Does rent include repairs, including broken string replacement?
• Do you rent full size instruments?
• How old/in what condition are the rental instruments?
• Are accidents/theft covered?
• What are your store hours?
• Do you provide a loaner instrument while rental is being repaired?
• How long do repairs typically take?

Sound

Unless your child is a beginner, it is best for them to try any instrument you are considering purchasing. Listen to make sure you do not hear any buzzing sounds. Is the sound consistent from the low notes all the way through the high notes? Try a couple different instruments to determine which one your child sounds best playing.

Body

Look for open seams or cracks, especially if you are considering a used instrument. While cracks can be repaired, repaired cracks typically diminish the instrument’s resonance and tone quality.

Neck

Check the alignment and angle of the neck. It should be centered and straight.

Bridge and Nut

The player should be able to play each string with the bow without hitting any other strings. The string should also have enough room to vibrate without hitting the fingerboard. This is typically a more frequent problem with the string bass than any other instrument. It is possible to have the bridge and/or nut adjusted to correct this problem.

Purfling

Purfling is the black pinstripe line that you see around the edge of the top of the instrument. Quality instruments will have INLAID PURFLING. This means that the line is etched into the instrument. Purfling prevents cracks from spreading to the seam of the instrument which will increase the likelihood that a crack can be repaired. if the line is only painted on rather than etched in, the instrument will be at greater risk of not being fixable if a crack occurs. Also, painted purfling is a sign of a low quality instrument. You can feel with your finger if the purfling if inlaid. If it’s completely smooth to the touch, it is only painted.

Pegs/Machine Screws

Do the pegs fit tightly without slipping? Do they move easily?

Warranty

Ask if there is a warranty and what the terms are.

Accessories

What is included in the purchase, and what is considered an accessory. You will likely be looking for an “outift”. An outfit would include the instrument, bow, and case. Some retailers will sell each of these items a la carte so make sure you understand the total cost so you are not surprised. 

Bow

You may have a choice between horsehair or synthetic bow. I strongly recommend horsehair. The synthetic, while often cheaper, tends to be more slippery and goes through rosin much quicker than a horsehair bow. 

You will have a choice between leather or vinyl grip. Leather is recommended.

There are other aspects of the bow to consider. This article explains them best.

Strings

Your children will likely still want and need fine tuners installed on all four strings. This does not apply to string bass.

Buy an extra set of strings. Now that you own the instrument, you’ll be responsible for buying strings as they break. It is best for the student to have a spare set in their case at all times in case a string breaks. There will be a choice between gut and steel strings. Gut strings will produce a better sound and are easier to tune, but steel strings are more economical. If you have been renting from Quinlan and Fabish, your children have been playing on gut strings.

Chinrest

Only violins and violas have a chinrest. This article provides some good information about selecting a chinrest.