Rental Overview

Exclusions from maintenance and replacement protection are cosmetic damage that does not impede the tone or playability of the instrument, and loss due to negligence, mysterious disappearance, damage from repair by unauthorized persons, arson, vandalism, intentional abuse. This Protection plan excludes damage to items caused by mishandling by third party baggage or shipping personnel. Any repairs necessary to fix damage caused by third party baggage or shipping personnel will be the responsibility of the plan participant.

LAVS Protection Plan does not cover mysterious disappearances from the school band or orchestra room or lockers.

Proof of Loss is required for loss by theft or fire. In the event of theft, the customer must contact the appropriate law enforcement agency within 30 days of the theft and provide us with a copy of the official report. In the event of fire, the remains of the instrument, bow, and/or case must be presented. In all events, theft, fire, or accidental damage, the customer must provide a signed, detailed statement describing the circumstances in which the loss occurred.

• FEE STRUCTURE: Late fee: $9.00 on failing automatic payment through ACH or fail to update credit card information. There will be a $25.00 handling fee for the customers who fail to maintain the credit card number or checking account in current. There will be $35.00 fee for charge-back made by renter when the renter still has possession of instrument(s).

• COLLECTION: Renter will immediately return the instrument upon demand. If the instrument is not returned as required, Renter will pay the full Suggested Retail Price, plus any outstanding balance. You agree to pay all collection costs, including, but not limited to, collection fees and attorney’s fees. Renter agrees to allow LAVS to obtain a personal credit report at any time during this agreement. Renter agrees to allow us or our agents and assigns, including debt collectors, to contact you.

• TERMINATION: Renter can terminate this agreement at any time without penalty, by returning the instrument to us in good condition. All original issue accessories such as strings, bows, case must be returned with the instrument, or must be paid for at the time of returns. Do not leave this instrument at school.

• E-MAIL OPT IN: By supplying us with your email address, renter has agreed to receive promotional messages, LAVS always keeps the information confidential. We do not sell or share this information.

Arm length is often a determining factor in determining the correct size instrument. However, finger length and general comfort is also taken into consideration. If you cannot come into the shop or have a teacher size the student, we offer general rules of thumb based on arm length below. However, keep in mind that these suggestions and charts represent the average and are no substitute for an actual sizing assessment in person.

First, the student must be able to hold the instrument in playing position and stretch the left arm out to comfortably cup the scroll with the left hand. If you cannot measure using the instrument itself, you can also use a yardstick.

Have your child stand with his or her left arm outstretched to the side– not reaching, but not bent either. Using a yardstick or tape measure, measure from the sternal notch (at the base of the neck) to the wrist. This indicates the most comfortable size instrument for that child. Measure also to the middle of the palm. This indicates the largest instrument that child should try to play.

You can also measure from the side of the neck instead of from the sternum. This is usually about 2 inches shorter than measuring from the sternum.

Either way, this is a very rough estimate. Your child’s posture, arm length, length of fingers, length of neck, etc. all affect the size of the violin. Also, fractional instruments are not standardized in the same way as full-sized instruments. In the end, the appropriate size will only become evident when your child is trying to finger the notes on a real violin.

Violas are larger than violins. Measure as directed for a violin (see above), but use the sternum to mid-palm measurement. A 14-inch viola is about the same length as a 4/4 violin.

There is no standard adult size for violas. Most adults play an instrument with a body length between 16 and 16-1/2 inches, though neither 15-1/2 inch nor 17-inch violas are that uncommon.

The player should sit up straight on a chair with knees bent at 90-degrees, and feet flat on the floor. The cello is laid against the left shoulder, with the endpin extended so that the cello body rests against the sternum, the lower bout contacts the left knee, and the C-peg (the lowest pitch string) is near the left ear. The left hand should be able to easily reach all parts of the fingerboard.

Cellos can be roughly sized by the player’s age. Slightly more accuracy is obtained when using the player’s height; however, since body proportions are the most important factor here, there is in the end no substitute for trying out actual instruments.