WHAT KIND OF MAINTENANCE IS COVERED WITH MY RENTAL INSTRUMENT?

We cover expected wear & tear, size changes, and string replacement. Expected wear & tear includes: breaking strings, bow rehairs, loose seams, buzzes, varnish chips, and wear to the case. It does not cover intentional mishandling of the instrument. Intentional mishandling includes any graffitti to the instrument, and damage beyond repair like neck breaks and breaks where pieces of wood are missing. Please reach out if you have an issue! Most instruments are able to be repaired, even the scary looking ones.

HOW DOES YOUR RENT-TO-OWN POLICY WORK?

With every year, 75% of your rental payments are stored as credit toward an instrument purchase of the kind of instrument you’re renting (a violin rental earns credit for a violin purchase, for example). We remind renters of their credit annually, but if you’re not sure where you stand - you can check out our general credit accumulator HERE (link to chart).

When you’re ready for a purchase, just let us know. Your credit can apply to a student instrument or one of our fine showroom instruments (excluding consignment-owned instruments, some of which are in our showroom). Please call ahead to make an appointment with the shop to see our showroom instruments.

We do recommend you wait until your student is done growing, so that the instrument you purchase is the one that will continue to fit the student.

Rent-to-own credit does not transfer to other siblings or students, and it is not store credit. It only applies toward an instrument purchase.

Taxes and other store purchases (supplies for class, for example) do not count toward rental credit.

IT’S SUMMER, DO I TURN IN MY INSTRUMENT?

As of 2025, all our rentals are either charged monthly or on a 12-month period, so you may choose to keep your instrument if you wish to keep renting. If you’re done, please return your instrument during the first two weeks of summer so we can get everything ready for our new students in the fall. Your contract is cancelled when you return the instrument to us.

Keeping your instrument another year? Please bring it by over the summer for a size check and tune up, so we can make sure you’re prepared for the next year.

WHERE DO I FIND MY COPY OF THE CONTRACT?

You received an emailed copy of your rental contract the day you signed up. The sender is “Caraway Strings,” and the address is notifications@cognitoforms.com.

HOW MUCH IS IT TO BUY AN INSTRUMENT?

Pricing of our instruments at the time you began renting is included in your contract, emailed to you the day you signed up. Caraway Strings current pricing at the time will be the same or similar, but please keep in mind that there are some factors that may slightly change pricing, such as tariffs and market changes. We have an ever changing selection of instruments in our showroom, please check out our showroom page for current price ranges.