FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Will my instrument arrive setup?

This is probably the most asked question, even though we can't imagine anyone ever buying an instrument that needs to be setup. Most definitely your instrument will arrive setup, and most likely even still in tune! The Setup is one of the biggest things you're buying, that assurance and guarantee that the instrument will play easily and sound its best. You eventually come to find a shop's "House Setup" that you prefer, and that consistency is of the utmost importance.

We put great energy and resources into perfecting our setup, and have placed links to our StringWorks Setup™ description on every page. We hand-select and thoroughly test every instrument before it reaches you. We will never send out an instrument without play-testing and adjusting the post, bridge, and strings until we love the instrument, and trust you will feel the same way.

It's a joy and responsibility to be able to create your instrument, and we will never take that for granted. We, our luthier, and our shipping techniques work to ensure every instrument sounds its best...because that means you will sound YOUR best.

I'm afraid to buy online!

While technically not a question, this is a common concern of string players when considering a new instrument, and so valuable to mention that we will put it atop our FAQ section. Please consider StringWorks to be what it is - a family-owned violin shop with a website, not 'an online retailer', as they are not the same thing. When you work with us,

you are part of our ever-growing list of satisfied customers, and we aim not to sell you a product off the shelf and then spam you with offers for items completely unrelated to what you purchased, but rather bring you in as part of our family!

One customer recently shared 'You are my eyes and ears in picking out a beautiful StringWorks cello!' and we take that responsibility VERY seriously. Our biggest pride as a company is that our customers are customers for life - they know to come back to us for advice about strings, upgrades, or even just sharing videos or photos of concerts that they enjoyed with their StringWorks instruments.

Don't be scared to 'buy online', just give us a call if you prefer, or stop by the showroom! We're in person just like we are online :) Do check out our pages on 'How much should I spend on a cello?' and 'How much should I spend on a violin?' for more details.

Why buying from a violin specialist matters: Learn why buying from Amazon or big-box retailers can be problematic and what makes working with a dedicated string shop different.

How do your instruments compare to other brands?

We're often asked to compare our instrument lines to other shops' lines, and we typically reply that it's not fair for us to give our opinion, as it is likely biased! We've always been transparent, honest, and have never fallen into the trap of 'kickbacks' (paying teachers to sell instruments to their students) or pricing our instruments high only to allow for 'bargaining', as some would be at a disadvantage, if they didn't know that they were supposed to - or could - bargain.

With The StringWorks Setup™ and our 20-plus year commitment to quality, honesty, and business ethics, the best way to compare our instrument versus another would simply be to say 'This one performs like a StringWorks Instrument!'

What professional musicians say: Read what a professional quartet cellist had to say about our Maestro and Soloist cellos.

Do you 'drop ship'?

StringWorks never drop ships and feels the practice is extraordinarily unfair to the end consumer. There are many violin retailers on the web who operate their businesses through 'drop shipping' - a practice whereby the customer's order is sent directly to the distributor for shipping. The company never sees the instrument being sent, and does not do any work on the setup nor play testing, and instruments sent from a distributor are NOT intended to be played in the condition in which they are received, because the setup is very basic and of poor quality.

This is why we never drop ship: Our instruments are inspected carefully from start to finish and not only undergo a thorough setup by a professional violin maker, but several play tests and final inspections before being put in stock, and each instrument is personally and individually selected for each customer based on their preferences - not just pulled from the shelf. Learn more about why this matters.

How much is shipping?

Most importantly, please know that our shipping charges only cover a portion of the UPS costs. We never have and never will charge a premium over those costs, and actually absorb a significant portion. (cellos now cost well over $110 to ship to most parts of the country due to dimensional weight)

We have flat rate shipping for predictability and convenience. Current rates for ground shipments within the continental US are: Violin/Viola - $25.00, Cello - $75.00, Bow - $18.00. Express and international shipping is available, of course; please contact us for details and an exact quote.

Why we don't offer "free" shipping: Read why transparent shipping pricing benefits you and why "free shipping" is never truly free.

PLEASE NOTE: shipments of instruments to some countries may cost more than what is charged in the shopping cart - that amount charged is the minimum, and covers many international destinations. We will notify you of any changes once we are able to secure exact quotes to your address.

Where are your instruments made?

StringWorks instruments are made in a number of countries - China, Romania, Hungary, Italy, with each of them receiving a varying amount of work in our workshops in Illinois and Wisconsin. Our Crescendo through Michael Todd lines are primarily made in China, and they receive the most work of our models in our American workshops, including the extensive StringWorks Setup™.

The Kallo Bartok is made in Romania and Italy, the Marius Gyorke in Romania, and the Man Claudiu in Italy. Because of the amount of work performed on our instruments when we receive the bodies, we could, for many models, legally call them 'made in the USA'!

Learn more about global instrument making: Read about violin-making regions and why quality matters more than country of origin.

Do you ship to and support Military?

StringWorks is happy to offer musical support to our Military servicemen and women. Many have already taken advantage of our "traveling rental" program, so those going from base to base can still keep their kids in a great instrument. We ship to any APO/FPO in the Middle East, Asia, and beyond with great success, and it is not that expensive. Less than $50 for violins, and $150 for cello through USPS insured. We offer 5% Military Discount to all active Military, as well. It's the least we can do.

I'm not sure what instrument to purchase - how can I make the right choice?

We encourage you strongly to call or email us at your convenience and speak to one of our highly qualified sales staff. With complete knowledge of our entire product line, our sales staff are trained to give you the best advice based on your individual playing level, preferences, age, and requirements. When we have jointly decided on the best instrument for you - and bow and case in some instances - we have a staff of string players who will choose your instrument from all that we currently have available in that particular instrument line to find the one that best matches your preferences.

Adult learner? Read our guide for returning and first-time adult players - we call them "Super Beginners"!

Does a different set of fittings affect the sound of the instrument?

No, the choice of fittings is purely an aesthetic choice - while different woods will have a minute effect on the tone of the instrument due to their unique cellular structure, it will likely be unnoticeable to the human ear and items such as strings, setup, and player have a much bigger effect on the overall tone of the instrument. Choose the fitting that you like the appearance of the most - we can offer suggestions as well in terms of what fittings look best for particular instruments (such as ebony for the Kallo Bartok line or rosewood for the Virtuoso line).

More about aesthetic choices: Learn about varnish colors and why darker isn't always better.

How do I care for my instrument?

We encourage you to look at our 'StringWorks University' information found under 'Care and Maintenance'. In addition to what is listed, we would also caution all cellists in dry climates such as Alaska and Colorado (but including all cellists in the dry winter months) to purchase and utilize an in-room humidifier.

Instrument humidifiers (those that are inserted in the instrument) are effective only on a very small scale and can drip inside your instrument leaving a water mark. We prefer the all-room humidifiers that are available for nearly the same price as two of these in-instrument varieties, with about 1000% the effectiveness. Humidity of 40 - 80% keeps your instrument top from cracking and splitting.

Essential care resources:

• Essential humidification tips for dry climates
• The complete guide to choosing violin strings - when it's time to replace strings
• Browse all educational resources at StringWorks University

Can I try multiple bows at once?

Yes! While many shops charge a fee to try bows, we allow you to have several bows shipped to you for trial, choose what you like, send back the rest! While there is no fee for this service, you would have your credit card pre-authorized for the amount of one bow, and would pay the cost to ship the bows back to us. Bows MUST be returned in new condition, and the hair must be free of oils and dirt, or you will be charged for a rehair and/or repair on each bow that does not meet these criteria.

Bow selection resources:

• Your StringWorks 'Personal Shopper' - how we select your bow
• Complete guide to choosing a bow for your instrument
• CodaBow vs. Musing: Carbon fiber bow comparison

What makes your professional setup different from other shops?

The StringWorks Setup™ takes 5-7 hours per cello and 3-5 hours per violin/viola, compared to the industry standard of just 1-1.5 hours. This isn't just extra time - it's a complete professional setup process that includes:

• Perfectly fitted bridge feet and soundpost
• Expertly carved bridge curvature
• Properly planed and scooped fingerboard
• Perfectly fitted nut with proper curvature
• Perfectly fitted pegs for proper tuning
• Extensive play testing and adjustment

Every instrument - from our intermediate to professional levels - receives this same meticulous attention. We also hand-select each instrument to ensure it meets our quality standards. This is why professional musicians and teachers recommend StringWorks.

Do you have a showroom I can visit?

Yes! We'd love to see you in person. Visit our showroom in Geneva, Illinois - just 30 minutes west of Chicago in historic downtown Geneva. We're located at:

StringWorks, Inc.
327 Franklin St
Geneva, IL 60134

Many customers from Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and throughout the Midwest make the trip to try instruments in person. We're only two hours from Madison, and a short train ride from Chicago's airports. We'll even pick you up from the train station!

Geneva is a beautiful historic town with wonderful restaurants, shops, and festivals. Make a day of it! Contact us to schedule your visit or check out our virtual showroom tour.

What are your best intermediate cellos and violins under $4000?

Our Maestro and Virtuoso cellos are handmade instruments offering exceptional value in the $2,500-$3,500 range. Both are crafted by small workshops of 2-4 master craftsmen and feature:

• Hand-carved solid tonewoods with superior flaming and grain
• Our complete 5-7 hour StringWorks Setup™
• Limited lifetime warranty
• 100% trade-in guarantee toward any higher-level StringWorks instrument

For violins, our Maestro and Virtuoso lines offer similar exceptional value in the $895-$1,195 range.

Need help deciding? Read our guides: How Much Should I Spend on a Cello? and How Much Should I Spend on a Violin?