The Johnson String Project

Comparing Options for Acquiring Stringed Instruments

We all know that when it comes to learning an instrument, quality is essential. A great instrument will help a student learn, while a bad one will make it a torturous process. We also know that a great instrument means more of an investment, especially with stringed instruments. There are grants to help programs purchase instruments, and that works well for some, but others get bogged down by the hidden costs associated with violins, violas, cellos, and basses. It becomes a balance of finding a good instrument at a price the program can afford, and sacrifices happen. How do we help directors avoid these hidden costs and still effectively run their programs?

First, we need to look at what these hidden costs are. Let’s start with what seems obvious: repairs. With stringed instruments, repairs can add up to the point where what initially seemed like a quick fix is now a financial catastrophe. Take a broken bridge, for example. This is something that can’t be glued together and must be replaced. A bridge is always hand-carved to fit an instrument. For a student instrument this can easily run almost or over $150 depending on where you’re located, and remember: the larger the instrument, the higher the cost.

Something breaking is an extreme (though common) occurrence, but there is also a cost associated with maintenance and wear and tear. This includes things like bow rehairs, open seams, and new strings. These too can add up quickly, not to mention what happens when repairs cost more than the instrument itself. Many programs that purchase instruments run into this scenario. Sometimes, the damage to one of their cellos, for example, is deemed too extensive to justify the cost needed to bring it back to a playable state. When these instruments are gone, they’re gone for good, and a new one must be purchased. We can teach children to be as gentle and careful as possible with their fragile instruments, but accidents still happen.

Another hidden cost programs encounter when purchasing stringed instruments: Multiple sizes. Violins, violas, cellos, and basses come in incremental sizes to accommodate smaller children. As they grow, they will need to swap instruments, which means programs will always need a stock of different-sized instruments on hand. Purchasing and storing those extra instruments presents a challenge, as well as determining how many of each size you will need for multiple years.

What’s the solution? Programs need a different type of support for acquiring instruments – something that continues to work after the initial donation. We need another option for programs that can be adapted to their unique needs. Purchase has been touted as a way for programs to have complete ownership, but it also puts the entire financial burden on the programs themselves. Renting is seen as a temporary or costly solution, but what if it became a viable option? Rentals include insurance against wear and tear, broken strings, accidental damage, and common repairs. They also include size exchanges, meaning that a program doesn’t need a stock of extra instruments in multiple sizes and a place to store them all.

This is what the Johnson String Project wants to change. Based in Newton, Massachusetts, we are a non-profit associated with Johnson String Instrument. In partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, we work to provide instruments, mainly rentals, to El Sistema-inspired programs throughout the Commonwealth. The idea is that these hidden costs are covered by the Johnson String Project. This has helped give programs access to the same instruments anyone can walk in the store to rent, as well as free up program budgets for other concerns. While we are still a small but growing organization, these results are encouraging and demonstrate the need programs have for a more flexible solution. Our hope is that given time, this is a model that other states and local shops can adopt to help more programs and communities.

Author: Silvija Kristapsons, Assistant Marketing Manager, Johnson String Instrument

Date Published: 14 October, 2018

Originally appeared on the World Ensemble site.