izzy Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Hello All, I am formulating the mechanics for a violin loan program and I need to know how much it would cost to keep up 10 violins per year? They wouldn't necessarily be in the same town. Therefore, I would probably have to contract local or nearest to. How many times a year for string replacement, soundpost/bridge inspection and/or adjustment? I would be assuming that they would be played and possibly travel, often. I would be grateful for your insight. Sincerely Izzy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arglebargle Report post Posted March 21, 2008 That's a tricky one. Best case: All the violins are well set up to begin with and the players are respectful. A check up once a year, a few hundred dollars for worn strings and rehairs... oh wait, most likely all your bows will need rehairs after a year. A few this and thats. People do love to complain. Still well within reason, Worst case: 10 new bridges, 10 sets of strings, 10 broken tailpieces, 10 sound post cracks, etc... Only to say that anything can and does happen to instruments on loan. The safest bet is to assume major set up work for over half your "fleet" over the course of a year. A few instruments will need repairs, and chances are one will be "destroyed". This is assuming, of course, you are renting violins to drunk monkeys. If you are not the results could be better, or worse. The pleasure of putting a good sounding, well functioning instrument in the hands of someone that cannot otherwise afford it is well worth the effort and expense. When built wisely and over a long period of time, a rental program can be both rewarding and profitable. It's alot of work, but so what. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
izzy Report post Posted March 21, 2008 thanks for the help arglebargle. I will assume worse case and rehair once a year. I'll also have to keep a look out for those pesky drunken monkeys. Drunk Monkey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
izzy Report post Posted March 22, 2008 How about string replacement? How many sets of strings should one go thru in 1 year? 3-4 with possibly spares sets or individual strings? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites