Rental Rates
VIOLIN
RENTALS
At Lisle Violin Shop, we are constantly looking for the best instruments available for the best prices. To that end we stock a wide variety of violins and violas to meet the needs of all of our customers. For our violin rentals, we have five different levels of rentals available listed below:
$17.00 PER MONTH - ECONOMY RENTAL
This category includes a limited number of used smaller violin or viola
outfits, generally in 3/4 size or smaller. Also included at this rate are a
number of high quality violins and violas with excellent tone that have been
reduced in price due to repairs or appearance. All violins in this category are
guaranteed to be in excellent playing condition.
$22.00
PER MONTH - INTERMEDIATE USED RENTAL
This is the most popular and recommended category for beginners. Used violin
and small viola outfits including Model 96, 106, 116, 107, 112, and 117's in
good condition are included in this price range for all sizes. (Full size
violins and 14" violas are available in limited quantities. Please call
for availability.)
$27.00
PER MONTH - INTERMEDIATE NEW RENTAL
This category includes NEW Lisle Model 112, 117, and 107 outfits. We recommend
this level for those seeking a brand new instrument with excellent sound and
appearance.
$35.00
PER MONTH - ADVANCED RENTAL
For those looking for a violin or viola with a powerful, responsive tone, this
price range has a wide selection of models that are distinctive. This outfit
includes a carbon fiber or brazilwood bow. This price range contains violins from 1/4
through 4/4 size depending on the model. Some models are only available in full
size. Please call for availability.
$45.00 PER
MONTH – ELITE RENTAL
This category features a variety of models including the Frank
Denti, Musaica Concert, and other similarly priced violins and includes a
carbon fiber or brazilwood bow upgrade.
These instruments offer a wide spectrum of sound qualities from silky
and smooth to clear and brilliant to suit all preferences. We try to maintain stock on these instruments
at all times. However, due to their
popularity, stock is sometimes limited. This price range contains violins from
1/4 through 4/4 size depending on the model. Some models are only available in
full size. Please call for availability.
$55.00 PER
MONTH – PREMIERE RENTAL
This category includes our best violins available for rental
including the Thomas Krafft, Musaica Master Art, and other similarly priced
instruments. We recommend this price
range for those looking for an instrument with superior tone quality and
projection but are not quite ready yet for purchase. This level includes a carbon fiber or
brazilwood bow upgrade. Some models are
only available in full size. Please call for availability.
VIOLA
RENTALS
Violas come in a wide variety of sizes for different players. Standard viola sizes range from 15 to 16.5 inches. However, beginning violists often need sizes smaller than 15 inches. 14 inch, 13 inch, 12 inch, and even 11 inch sizes are common beginner sizes which correspond with violins 4/4 – 1/4 size. At Lisle Violin Shop, we use violin bodies with viola strings for violas smaller than 15 inches. This is a common practice for students who need a smaller viola. Mark Lisle and a significant number of the staff at Lisle Violin Shop are violists. Over the years we have played thousands of small violas (14” and under) and found most to be unsatisfactory. We have made experimental models and have discussed this matter with public and private teachers and have arrived at the conclusion that, in general, small violins – of the quality that we sell and rent – restrung as violas, sound better and play more easily than the deep rib models commonly sold as small violas. In our investigation, we also found that smaller viola models were generally only available as lower quality instruments. In addition, the deep ribs on these violas tended to deaden the sound rather than create a viola tone. We discovered that because small violas have a shorter length, the depth of the violin body gives better resonance on the A, D, and G strings, which violin and viola share, and which are most used by beginning violists. Of course, some instruments made as small violas are exceptions, and some violins respond better as small violas. Overall, most players are better served by choosing the appropriate size and quality violin and requesting setup as a viola.
Use the following chart to compare the violin fractional sizes to viola sizes (the inches are approximate, not exact, and simply common usage for viola sizing).
14” Viola………….4/4 Violin
13” Viola………….3/4 Violin
12” Viola………….1/2 Violin
11” Viola………….1/4
Violin
If you need to rent a viola size 14” or
smaller, see the violin section above for rates on these instruments.
For those needing a 15” or larger viola, we have the following levels available:
$22.00 PER MONTH – INTERMEDIATE USED RENTAL
This category
includes a limited number of used violas including our Model 96 violas. Stock is limited in this price range. Please call ahead for availability.
$27.00 PER MONTH – INTERMEDIATE NEW RENTAL
This category
includes NEW Model 96 violas and other various models in the same price range.
Used Advanced violas such as the 212B are also available at this price.
$32.00 PER MONTH – ADVANCED NEW RENTAL
For those looking
for a superior sound and competitive edge, the 212B is an excellent choice.
It’s clear, strong tone projects well and makes it our most popular viola for
rent. For this level viola, we also
recommend an upgrade to either a carbon fiber or brazilwood bow for only $3.00
more per month.
$45.00 PER MONTH – ELITE RENTAL
This level
includes our Model 222B and other similarly priced violas. These instruments are ideal for students who
are looking for an instrument with superior sound and projection. The Elite Rental includes a carbon fiber or
brazilwood bow upgrade. Quantities are limited.
Please call for availability.
$55.00 PER MONTH – PREMIERE RENTAL
This category
includes our best violas available for rental.
For those customers who need a viola with powerful tone and projection
but are not quite ready for purchase, we recommend this level. The Premiere Rental comes with a carbon fiber
or brazilwood bow upgrade. Quantities are limited. Please call for
availability.
CELLO RENTALS
We strive to offer the best quality cellos available for the best prices. We advise reserving cello rentals as early as possible to guarantee availability. For our cello rentals, we have three levels of rentals available listed below:
$32.00 PER MONTH – ECONOMY RENTAL
At this level, we
rent used Model 30 cellos. Also included
at this rate are a number of higher level cellos with excellent tone that have
been reduced in price due to repairs or appearance. Instruments at this price level in high
demand are only available in limited quantities. Reserve early to ensure
availability.
$42.00 PER MONTH – INTERMEDIATE RENTAL
This level includes
our most popular cello, the Model 312. With
its outstanding workmanship and wood quality, this cello is a lovely choice for
the player seeking an upgrade from our economy level. New Model 30 cellos are also available at
this rental rate.
$55.00 PER MONTH – ADVANCED RENTAL
Our Advanced Level cello rental features our best models available for rent and
includes an upgrade to a brazilwood or carbon fiber bow. We recommend this level instrument for
advancing students and players looking for a cello with a clear, robust tone
that gives them a competitive advantage.
BASS RENTALS
As basses have become an increasingly popular instrument, the demand for basses and bass rentals has also risen. We receive bass orders throughout the year. However, due to the high demand, we urge those looking to rent a bass to reserve as early as possible to avoid a waiting period
$52.00 PER MONTH – USED BASS RENTAL
For used basses,
we offer Christopher Academy Laminate basses as well as other basses currently
in our inventory that are available for rent. Quantities are extremely limited
for used basses of all sizes, particularly in the fall rental season.
$62.00 PER MONTH – NEW BASS RENTAL
For new basses, we offer the Christopher Academy laminate
bass. Christopher laminate basses are distinctive because they employ a process
to shape the top and back plates as individual layers prior to pressing them
into their final form. This method yields unusual stability of structure and
strength of tone to the instrument with an added benefit of reducing the
overall mass of the body. The ebony fingerboard and bridge adjusters add
excellent playability, which is especially important to beginner bass players.
Adjustment includes bridge adjusters, high quality endpin, and Helicore
Orchestral strings.
