Buyer Considerations & Disclosures

Commitment to Transparency

I’m committed to being as open and transparent as possible with this project. For each rescue instrument, I will answer questions thoroughly and share a clear account of everything I know about it: its history, how it came to be a rescue, any issues it had and how they were addressed, and the contact information for the luthier who worked on it for any future service needs.

Naturally, acquiring a rescue instrument involves trade-offs compared to purchasing from an established violin shop. It’s important to me that these trade-offs are clearly disclosed, carefully considered, and fully understood.

The Goal of String Instrument Rescue

My goal here is simple: to save excellent instruments that may otherwise not make it to market and get them into the hands of deserving players at the lowest possible price. In a word, to expand access.

Trade-Offs vs. Full-Service Shops

Naturally, this approach involves trade-offs. I do not claim to offer the same level of service as long-standing Twin Cities shops such as John R. Waddle and Claire Givens Violins—both of which I recommend and personally patronize.

Established shops like these offer important advantages: future tradability, a wide selection across price points, full-service luthier workshops, deep institutional expertise, and comprehensive warranties.

By choosing a String Instrument Rescue instrument, you are consciously trading some of those benefits for the opportunity to acquire an excellent instrument at a fraction of typical retail cost.

How I Determine Price

My aim is simple: to offer the strongest possible quality-for-price, with complete transparency, while keeping String Instrument Rescue sustainable.

Each instrument’s price is the straightforward sum of four parts:

  1. What I paid to acquire it
  2. The parts and materials used in the setup
  3. The luthier’s labor to restore and optimize it
  4. Modest compensation for my time and capital at risk

With these factors laid out plainly, you can evaluate whether this approach fits your needs. After doing your own comparisons and research, I’m confident the value of each instrument will speak for itself.

If you decide to go with String Instrument Rescue, I commit to being responsive, transparent, forthcoming, fair and honest in every interaction.

Thank you for taking time to consider String Instrument Rescue. Please contact me anytime at StringInstrumentRescue@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Hanno Strydom