MidWest String Rentals

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Why Choose Midwest String Rentals?

Simply stated, you will find the best stringed instruments, set up to the best specifications, as well as the best service and purchase plans in the Chicago area at Midwest String Rentals.
Any string student needs three things to get the right start and maintain momentum: a good teacher, ample encouragement, and a quality instrument, properly set up. At Midwest String Rentals, we understand the importance of making the most of your child's first steps in his or her musical life, whether developing the foundation of a satisfying musical career or embarking on a lifelong love of the arts.

Midwest String Rentals is proud to offer high-quality violins, violas, and cellos from the best shops around the world. Entirely hand-made of premium seasoned maple and spruce that any maker would admire for resonance and appearance, these instruments are crafted with workmanship normally found in those costing much more.
Our rental program offers the Preludio model, a fine choice for beginning or intermediate players. The Mario Seferelli Artist and Virtuoso models we offer for retail purchase are excellent options for more advanced students and professionals.

As they arrive at our workshop, each instrument to be offered for sale or rental is inspected for consistency and is given a full professional-quality setup. Unlike other rental programs where this crucial step may be given little attention, Midwest String Rentals setups—custom-fitting the pegs, soundpost, and bridge—are done under the supervision of seasoned violin maker Michael Darnton in our state-of-the art workshop. In addition, instruments are test-played by violinist Stefan Hersh, cellist Julian Hersh, or a member of our experienced staff to ensure that they are adjusted for optimal tone quality.
Strings and Bows
As players ourselves, we understand how important the right strings are to the playability of an instrument. We do not cut corners or compromise our instruments with less than the highest quality strings available. Therefore, we use strings by makers such as Thomastik, Jargar and Pirastro and make replacement strings available at the competitive prices.
We offer a choice of bows with each instrument. Our standard bow is an MSR brazilwood bow, which provides superior tonal properties. Roth Glasser bows, preferred by some teachers for their durability, are also available.
Rental Credit Toward Purchase
Our liberal equity-building program gives progressing students a range of options when they are ready to buy an instrument. Fifty percent of the first 24 months of rental fees may be credited toward the purchase of an instrument of equal or greater value to the one being rented. In addition, in certain instances Midwest String Rentals will accept rental credit accrued at other rental companies or shops toward the purchase of instruments from MSR. Limitations apply; please ask for details.