V. Richelieu Fractional
Viola Rental Program
Givens Violins is proud to be the exclusive dealer of V. Richelieu Fractional Violas in the Midwest. These violas are available from 11” to 16”. We are excited to be able to offer a rental program for students looking to play a true viola that will allow them to develop their sound and technique. These are step-up violas priced at $4400 for 11’-14” and $6000 for 15”-16”.
Our rental program sets up your player with a V. Richelieu Fractional Viola, fractional wood viola bow, viola case and a gift of rosin and a microfiber cleaning cloth! Not included in our rental outfit is a fractional viola shoulder rest. This can be purchased in our shop along with additional accessories.
Please scroll down for pricing and package details, more information about V. Richelieu fractional violas, and the fine print.
THE DETAILS
We currently offer one rental package and 2 payment terms: 6 months, and 12 months.* The damage waiver covers routine maintenance and accidental damage. **
Premiere Package: Includes a Richelieu Small Viola, Wood viola bow, viola case, Bernadel rosin and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
| 6 months | 12 months | |
| Rental Price | $436 | $759 |
| Damage Waiver | $101 | $176 |
*Givens Violins does not offer refunds if an instrument is returned before the rental term is up.
**The damage waiver does not cover gross negligence. Please see THE FINE PRINT at the bottom of this page.
RICHELIEU TESTIMONIALS
“The pegs are good for training students to tune themselves and the tone is remarkably deep at each size.”
– MacPhail Center for Music violin/viola teacher
“The V. Richelieu Fractional Violas offer the serious viola student the opportunity to study with an appropriately sized instrument without compromising tone quality. These instruments allow students to develop a beautiful, rich viola tone at an age when a smaller instrument is required. These thoughtful luthiers have filled an important need for young viola students and their teachers.”
-Minneapolis professional violinist & violin/viola teacher
“I am blown away by the quality of these violas and will be recommending them to all of my students and families! The Richelieu Fractional Violas have achieved a quality of resonance, response, and feel I didn’t think could be attained on a fractional viola.”
-Benjamin Burgdorf, Suzuki Viola & Violin Instructor at Maple Strings & Violist at the Des Moines Symphony
READY TO RENT?
Please fill out the following form and a member of our staff will be in touch with you shortly.
WHY RENT A FRACTIONAL VIOLA?
Benefits of Renting A Fractional Viola from Givens Violins:
Quality Control: Our rental instruments and bows are professionally set up and maintained by the Givens Violins workshop. The violas are set up with Evah Pirazzi Strings and Wittner Perfection pegs and tailpiece.
Building Equity: One large benefit to renting a fractional viola is gaining equity on your rental payments towards purchasing your own viola. You will be able to put 2/3 of the rental payments toward purchasing an instrument at the end of your rental program! This gives your player time and flexibility to try out sizes and grow with their instrument before committing to purchasing an instrument to keep.
Check out our blog post on the pros and cons of renting versus buying HERE for more information!
About V. Richelieu Violas
- Richelieu Fractional Violas are made in the workshops of Vermont Violins. Here’s what Vermont Violins has to say about their small violas:
The V. Richelieu fractional viola was designed to encourage superior playing for advancing violists. Fractional violas are historically problematic. Most are derivative of violin patterns that fail to capture the full tonal expression of the viola. The V. Richelieu makes no such compromise. The model is loosely based on a 16” Tertis viola with extended lower bouts and proportional string lengths. We select woods to achieve a rich and supported tone, with a stronger C-String than other fractional violas.
THESE VIOLAS ARE NOT CONVERTED VIOLINS.
Most small violas use a traditional violin template for their tops and backs. To design the V. RICHELIEU™ small violas, they started with a 16” model and scaled it down for small hands.
The result is a viola that plays as a viola should. The shape gives full support to the low C string while fully amplifying the high A. An alto sound that’s the reason one teacher called it a “game-changer” for her younger students.
For more information on the V. Richelieu Fractional Violas, check out their website here: www.vrichelieu.com/small-violas.
THE FINE PRINT
Equity / Purchase plan: 2/3 of your rental payments (excluding the damage waiver) count as equity towards the possible purchase of your rental instrument, or up to half (50%) of a future purchase of an instrument of greater value. However, this is NOT a “rent-to-own” plan. Instead, it allows you to purchase an instrument of equal or greater value in the future, using the rental equity you have accumulated. Your rental contract does NOT automatically convert into a purchase once the rental fee you have paid exceeds the value of the instrument. If you plan to purchase the instrument you have been renting, it is your responsibility to keep track of your equity and notify us when you would like to make the purchase. You are not obligated to purchase the instrument you are renting.
Sizing: The Givens Violins V. Richelieu rental program includes free sizing upgrades. Please contact us to set up an appointment once the player is ready for a sizing upgrade.
Damage Waiver: Please treat your rental outfit with care! The damage waiver fee covers routine maintenance (e.g. broken strings, slipping pegs, warped bridge, and bow rehair) and accidental damage. It does NOT, however, cover gross negligence, theft, loss, fire/water damage, heat damage, damage due to excessive dryness, intentional damage, or shipping costs. We are not obligated to replace an instrument which is repairable. The damage waiver is not in effect during air or overseas travel, or after the expiration of your rental. We must perform all repairs on rental instruments. In case of an out-of-town emergency, please contact us for authorization.
Fee Structure / Deposit / Payment Policy: Rental fees must be paid in advance, through the end of the rental period. Rent must be paid for the entire time an instrument is in the renter’s possession, regardless of whether or not the instrument is being used. Instruments may be rented at either the 6 month, or 12 month rate. There are no refunds for rentals returned prior to the terms of your rental. Rent paid by check that fails to be honored by your bank will incur a $30.00 (per occurrence) Returned Check Fee. Monthly Billing Date: 1st of the Month or 15th of the Month. Annual Billing Dates: one year from the date of your contract.
Renewals: Automatic rental renewals will be charged on your credit card we have on file. It is your responsibility to keep credit card information up to date. If you choose not to pay with a credit card, the renter must pay in advance for the next rental period by the expiration date or we will charge your card. Rent not collected due to an expired credit card will result in a $10/month late fee.
Returns: Returns must be made by the rental expiration date. Late returns will be charged at the 3 monthly rate plus a $10.00/month late fee. Late fees are non-negotiable. Your deposit will be forfeited for excessive wear and tear.
Past Due Account: Rental payments made after the 15th day from the due date will be charged a $10.00 late fee per pay period (in addition to rental fees). If you are not set up for automatic payment and no payment is made after 15th days, you are allowing us to charge your credit card on file for the rental amount. In cases of non-payment and/or relocation of the renter without a forwarding address, we reserve the right to charge the purchase price of the instrument, minus any equity, to the credit card on file. In the event that the renter’s account is three or more months delinquent, the renter must forfeit all equity accrued. We reserve the right to use any means available and permitted by law to take possession of unreturned rental instruments and to collect all past due rent, late fees, legal fees, collection cost, and losses due to uninsured damage. Possession of an instrument owned by us constitutes acceptance of the terms of this contract. The rented instrument remains the property of Givens Violins until a final purchase payment is received. We reserve the right to demand the return of an instrument at any time.
