FAQ

General

What types of instruments do you have available?

All Strings Attached is a specialty string shop for violin, viola, cello, and bass.  We are dedicated to providing the highest quality instruments in the Twin Cities.  From our popular rental program to professional sales instruments – we are proud to have one of the largest selections of string instruments in the state and serve musicians of all levels!

Rental Program

How do I rent an instrument?

There are a couple of ways to rent an instrument.

If you know your instrument and size details, the easiest option is to complete our “Online Rental” agreement. Once we have received your rental agreement, we will set up your account and prepare your instrument, which typically takes 24-48 hours. Once your instrument is ready, we will contact you to schedule an in-store pickup or schedule a school delivery (where applicable).

If you do not know the size of the instrument, we encourage you to either contact your school teacher or visit one of our store locations so that our highly trained staff can help you determine which size is the best fit for you or your child. While here, you can fill out the rental application and you can walk out with the instrument on the same day!

How do I size my child for a rental instrument?

It is always recommended that students be sized by a teacher or our staff due to the many variables in determining the correct instrument size (height, arm length, hand size, etc.).  If this is not possible, please refer to the “At-Home Sizing Guide” in our Rental section or select “Don’t Know” on the Online Rental form, and we will be happy to walk you through the process.  Also, don’t worry – we always provide complimentary size exchanges so we can easily switch out instruments/sizes once classes start.

What all is included in the rental price?

The rental price includes the instrument outfit rental, full maintenance and insurance, and taxes.

The rental outfit includes the instrument, case, bow, rosin, cleaning cloth, music folder, and either a shoulder sponge (violin/viola) or a rockstop (cello/bass).

Does the rental program include Maintenance & Insurance?

Yes, all rental instruments are covered with our full maintenance and insurance program.  This covers any damage to the instrument, including loss and theft.

What is covered under the Maintenance & Insurance Program and is it required?

Yes, all of our rentals include a comprehensive Maintenance & Insurance Program (M&I), which covers any damage, including but not limited to, broken strings, bridge, bow hair, cracks, accidental damage, loss, and theft.  The M&I Program provides families with peace of mind that all issues are covered without exclusions, and includes complimentary school deliveries (where applicable).

Do you have a family discount?

Yes, we offer a 10% discount on the monthly rental fees for any additional family members after the first rental.

Should I rent or buy an instrument?

You are always welcome to choose whichever option works best for you. However, most of our customers start by renting, especially if the student is a beginner and playing on a smaller instrument. The rental program provides flexibility of switching instruments and sizes at any time.  The instrument grows with the student and there is no cost to switch to a larger instrument.  Renting at the beginning also gives you a budget-friendly way to test the player’s long-term commitment to the instrument before purchasing.  Once the student is ready for a full size instrument, you can then use your rental credit to purchase one.

As the student grows, rather than having to buy several new instruments throughout the child’s growth period.

Do I have to provide my credit card information?

Yes.  For security and billing purposes, we must have a valid credit card on file for all rental instruments. If you cannot provide a credit card number, please contact us to discuss alternative options.

As the student grows, rather than having to buy several new instruments throughout the child’s growth period.

Will my credit card be charged automatically?

Yes.  With the monthly rental option, rental payments are processed on the same day each month. With the Annual Rental Program, you are billed once per year and receive a discount.  Annual rentals customers will receive their renewal invoice 30-45 days in advance to make any changes.  Customers are welcome to update payment/credit card information at any time.

Equity/Rental Credit

Do you have a credit-to-own program?

Yes! All rentals automatically receive “Equity/Rental Credit” – this program combines the savings of a rental program with the added flexibility of using your credit towards the purchase of any instrument of equal or greater value in our shop once the student is ready.  Please see our rental brochure for details

What can I purchase with my equity?

Your rental equity can be used toward any instrument in our store of equal or greater value to your rental instrument.

Does my equity ever expire?

Your equity is good as long as you are renting and for 90 days after the return of your rental instrument.  If you’re planning to purchase an instrument in the future, we do often grant extensions to the 90 day period.  Please contact us directly and we’ll do our best to work with you and your specific situation.

How do I buy my rental instrument?

Please contact us to get an estimate for purchasing your existing instrument. We can email you a preliminary estimate using the information we have on file. However, we recommend setting up an in-store appointment if possible. We will be glad to inspect your instrument so we can give you the most precise estimate possible, as well as complete any necessary repairs before you purchase the instrument.

I have multiple instrument rentals from you. Can I combine my equities?

Unfortunately, multiple equities cannot be combined.  However, we do our best to work with families with multiple rentals to utilize the higher rental credit and get you the best deal possible on purchasing an instrument.

Size Exchanges/Returns

How do I switch to a larger/smaller size instrument?

You may exchange your instrument at any time for a larger/smaller instrument (with the recommendation of your teacher or our staff).  This can be done at either of our store locations or via school delivery (where applicable).

Can I switch my rental to a different instrument?

Yes! you can switch to a different instrument at any time.  Please make sure to communicate with your teacher in advance if you are planning to switch instruments.

Do you deliver to schools?

Yes!  We do make weekly school deliveries to a large number of schools in the Twin Cities during the school year. If you are not sure if we deliver to your specific school, please ask your teacher or feel free to reach out to us and we will let you know.

I want to end my rental. What do I do?

The easiest way to end your rental is simply to bring the instrument, bow, case, and nametag to our store or contact us to schedule a school pickup (where available).  You may call or complete an online form to schedule return

Maintenance/Repairs

Do you have a credit-to-own program?

Yes! All rentals automatically receive “Equity/Rental Credit” – this program combines the savings of a rental program with the added flexibility of using your credit towards the purchase of any instrument of equal or greater value in our shop once the student is ready.  Please see our rental brochure for details

What can I purchase with my equity?

Your rental equity can be used toward any instrument in our store of equal or greater value to your rental instrument.

Does my equity ever expire?

Your equity is good as long as you are renting and for 90 days after the return of your rental instrument.  If you’re planning to purchase an instrument in the future, we do often grant extensions to the 90 day period.  Please contact us directly and we’ll do our best to work with you and your specific situation.

How do I buy my rental instrument?

Please contact us to get an estimate for purchasing your existing instrument. We can email you a preliminary estimate using the information we have on file. However, we recommend setting up an in-store appointment if possible. We will be glad to inspect your instrument so we can give you the most precise estimate possible, as well as complete any necessary repairs before you purchase the instrument.

I have multiple instrument rentals from you. Can I combine my equities?

Unfortunately, multiple equities cannot be combined.  However, we do our best to work with families with multiple rentals to utilize the higher rental credit and get you the best deal possible on purchasing an instrument.

Do you have a family discount?

Yes, we offer a 10% discount on the monthly rental fees for any additional family members after the first rental.

Should I rent or buy an instrument?

You are always welcome to choose whichever option works best for you. However, most of our customers start by renting, especially if the student is a beginner and playing on a smaller instrument. The rental program provides flexibility of switching instruments and sizes at any time.  The instrument grows with the student and there is no cost to switch to a larger instrument.  Renting at the beginning also gives you a budget-friendly way to test the player’s long-term commitment to the instrument before purchasing.  Once the student is ready for a full size instrument, you can then use your rental credit to purchase one.

As the student grows, rather than having to buy several new instruments throughout the child’s growth period.

Do I have to provide my credit card information?

Yes.  For security and billing purposes, we must have a valid credit card on file for all rental instruments. If you cannot provide a credit card number, please contact us to discuss alternative options.

As the student grows, rather than having to buy several new instruments throughout the child’s growth period.

Will my credit card be charged automatically?

Yes.  With the monthly rental option, rental payments are processed on the same day each month. With the Annual Rental Program, you are billed once per year and receive a discount.  Annual rentals customers will receive their renewal invoice 30-45 days in advance to make any changes.  Customers are welcome to update payment/credit card information at any time.

Sales Instruments & Bows

I would like to try out some of your instruments and/or bows. What do I do?

We do recommend scheduling an appointment in advance for purchasing an instrument – please call, email or fill out the “Request an Appointment” form on our website.  We may contact you for some additional information to help prepare the right selection of instruments.  Sales appointments typically take 1-2 hours and some families invite the student’s school or private teacher to join – which is always welcome.  The goal is to narrow down the selection to one or two instruments and/or bows for a one-week complimentary trial.

How do sales appointments work?

In preparing for an appointment, we will need some additional information about the musician’s playing ability and goals.  When you schedule your appointment, we will ask a few questions regarding what you are looking for in an instrument and price range.  From there, our highly trained staff of musicians will select and prepare a few instruments with your goals in mind.  We work closely with families in every playing level and price range to find an instrument that is the best fit!

When you arrive, we will have all of the instruments/bows ready for you in a private studio and let you play!

Do you have a one-week “trial” program for sales instruments and bows?

Yes, we strongly encourage musicians to take several instruments and bows home for a one week trial.  This allows the customer to play the instruments in a variety of settings and receive feedback from any teachers or colleagues they would like to be a part of the decision process.

Buying an instrument is a long-term investment – it can take some musicians several weeks or months to find the instrument they love – and the goal of a trial period is to make a decision with comfort and confidence!

Does the price of the instrument include a case and bow?

In general – an instrument, case, and bow are sold separately and combined to make an instrument “outfit.” There are many options in various price ranges for bows and cases, which allow players to select them individually.

We do offer a significant discount for customers who would like to purchase their existing rental instrument outfits, otherwise a 10% discount on any new bow, case, or accessories with the purchase of an instrument.

Do you offer flexible payment plans or ability to put an instrument on hold?

Yes. We work closely with families in every price range to find an instrument that is an appropriate fit for the musician.

We offer flexible, no-interest payment plans over 6-12 months with a down payment.  We are happy to work with every customer’s unique situation and tailor a solution that meets their needs and budget.

If there is an instrument you like and need some time to decide, we can hold a sales instrument for one-week with a $500.00 deposit.

How does your “trade-in” program work?

We offer a trade-in program (80% of instrument purchase price) for existing customers to move up to a higher quality instrument.  This “step-by-step” approach allows the instrument quality to grow with the musician’s playing ability and budget over time.

I would like to sell my instrument, are you interested?

Other than the “trade-in” program described above, we do not generally purchase or buy back used instruments.  The rare exception is for basses, or rare/unique instruments that would address a need in our shop’s inventory.

Please feel free to contact us or email us with instrument details and photos.  We are always available to look at the condition of the instruments, estimate repairs, and recommend some options for selling the instrument through third-party platforms such as Craig’s List, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.

Do you accept instruments on consignment?

Generally, we are not accepting instruments for consignment at this time.  The rare exception is for unique instruments that would address a need in our shop’s inventory.  Please call or email us and we would be happy to discuss and take a look at your instrument if this would be an option.

Do you offer insurance appraisals for insurance purposes?

Yes, for any instruments that are purchased through our shop we can provide a bill of sale or an insurance appraisal.  We do not provide certified appraisals or certifications of value in other instances.  Depending on your instrument needs, we can direct you to other shops locally or international experts in the field that are certified appraisers.