Scared to buy a violin, viola, or cello online? Don't be!!

Often we hear from potential customers: "My teacher said to NEVER buy online!"

*sigh*

"Buying online" and purchasing from a reputable small business that happens to have an online presence are two very different things — and that distinction is worth understanding before you let it cost you a great instrument.

A customer of ours put it perfectly:

"StringWorks isn't an online company — it's a real company that also happens to have a website for people like me who can't get to the shop but want to have a StringWorks instrument." — S.B.

Why the "Never Buy Online" Advice Exists — and When It's Right

The caution isn't wrong in principle. The internet is full of anonymous storefronts, drop-shippers, and marketplaces selling instruments that have never been touched by a luthier, stored in climate-controlled conditions, or quality-checked by anyone who actually plays. When a teacher says "never buy online," they're thinking of those experiences — and they've seen students suffer through them.

They're not thinking of a family-owned specialist shop that has been selling and setting up string instruments since 1997, employs professional luthiers, and stands behind every instrument with a lifetime warranty and 14-day in-home trial. That's a fundamentally different thing.

What Actually Matters When Buying a String Instrument Online

The question isn't whether a company has a physical storefront. The question is whether they have the expertise, the process, and the commitment to stand behind what they sell. Here's what to evaluate:

• Do they perform their own professional setup? Not factory setup — in-house, by real luthiers. Ask how long it takes. The StringWorks Setup™ takes 3–5 hours for violin and viola, 5–7 hours for cello. The industry standard is 1–1.5 hours. Many shops don't do it at all.
• Do they hand-select their instruments? At StringWorks, every instrument is personally inspected and approved before it reaches our workshops — most don't make the cut. Learn about our selection process.
• Is there a real person to call? Not a chatbot. Not a fulfillment center. A knowledgeable human being who plays, who can guide you to the right instrument for your level and goals. Call us at (888) 624-6114.
• Do they offer an in-home trial? A shop confident in their instruments gives you time to live with it. StringWorks offers a 14-day in-home trial on every instrument — no pressure, no games.
• What does their trade-in program look like? As you advance, your instrument should grow with you. Our trade-in policy credits 100% of your original purchase price toward your next instrument — the best in the industry.
• What do real customers say? Not the reviews on the product listing — look at long-form testimonials from real players over months and years.

The Relationship Is the Point

A violin, viola, or cello is not a commodity purchase. It's a meaningful part of your musical journey — and it should be treated that way by the people selling it to you. The internet has made it possible to access world-class instruments and genuine expertise from anywhere in the country. What matters is finding a company that has earned that trust through decades of experience, real relationships, and instruments that perform.

StringWorks has been that company since 1997. Not because we have a website — but because of what's behind it.

How to Verify Any Online String Instrument Shop

Before purchasing from any online violin, viola, or cello retailer — including us — we encourage you to do the following:

• Call and speak to someone. Gauge their knowledge. Are they asking about your level, your goals, your budget? Or just pushing you toward a product?
• Read reviews that go beyond star ratings — look for specifics about setup quality, communication, and what happened when something went wrong.
• Ask directly: who performs the setup, how long does it take, and what bridge blank do they use? Those three questions will tell you everything about a shop's commitment to quality.
• Confirm the return and trial policy in writing before you buy.

Whether you ultimately choose StringWorks or another reputable specialist, please don't let an overgeneralized warning push you toward a big-box retailer or an anonymous marketplace. Your instrument — and your musical journey — deserve better than that.