Hal Leonard
Your Dream Instrument: An Insider's Guide to Buying Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses & Bows
Art: 884088243364
Description
Your Dream Instrument: An Insider’s Guide to Buying Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses, & Bows is a comprehensive and practical resource for anyone looking to purchase a string instrument with confidence. Written from an industry insider’s perspective, this guide helps readers understand what to look for when buying violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and bows, whether new or used.
Ideal for students, parents, teachers, and advancing players, the book explains construction, materials, tone quality, pricing, and common buying pitfalls in clear, accessible language. It also offers valuable advice on working with luthiers, shops, and dealers, making it an essential reference for navigating the often confusing string instrument market.
Key Features:
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Step-by-step guidance for buying violins, violas, cellos, basses, and bows
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Insider tips on instrument quality, craftsmanship, and value
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Advice for beginners through advanced string players
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Helps buyers avoid common mistakes and overpaying
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Useful for students, parents, educators, and professional musicians
Shipping and returns
Pricing, Taxes, & Products:
All prices are in US dollars and are accurate to the best of our knowledge. Prices do not include taxes or other duties that may be assessed. If the order is shipped to any Illinois address, sales tax will be assessed to the total purchase price. We reserve the right to change prices at any time and are not responsible for typographical errors. We cannot match prices in-store to those advertised online and may not have all in-store products available online. Equity accrued through rental is only available for products in our stores and not online. Due to the natural materials many of our products are made of, we try to choose images for our website that accurately reflect the product. Still, some variations may occur (i.e., varnish shading and color, wood color, grain, etc.). Please contact us before ordering to obtain pictures of the item you will receive.
Shipping Information:
Cassandra Strings strives to deliver your order as quickly and safely as possible. We use trusted carriers like FedEx, UPS, or the United States Postal Service to ensure your order is in good hands!
• In-stock items are generally dispatched within two days after receipt of payment. Tracking information will be emailed to the email address associated with the order as soon as the item ships from our warehouse.
• back-ordered item(s) will ship as soon as they become available.
• In-stock items are generally dispatched within two days after receipt of payment. Tracking information will be emailed to the email address associated with the order as soon as the item ships from our warehouse.
• back-ordered item(s) will ship as soon as they become available.
Due to the delicate nature of string instruments, the majority of purchases are available for in-store pickup only. A limited selection of instruments may qualify for shipping; please refer to individual product listings for eligibility.
Standard Shipping
All orders over 35.00 dollars shipped to the contiguous 48 states will ship free of charge, using the best and fastest option available. (Overweight items are excluded. Any item that will get an additional handling fee will be marked as an “Oversized Item”). Standard shipping typically takes 2-10 business days to arrive, depending on location. We advise you to group your items in one order. We cannot group two orders placed separately; shipping fees will apply to each.
Boxes are amply sized, and your items are well-protected.
Boxes are amply sized, and your items are well-protected.
Store Pickup
Pickup at our Algonquin store is free for all orders.
Refunds and Returns:
Products can be returned within 30 days of receipt of the shipment. After 30 days, no products can be returned. Strings, music, and other consumables (oils, reeds, rosin, etc. ) cannot be returned unless an error was made in the shipment. Please call (847) 458-7386 to obtain a return authorization number before returning. If an item is returned without an RMA number, your refund will be delayed, and a 15% restocking fee will be applied. All products must be returned in brand-new condition with all accessories and packaging. Please use a reputable shipping service with a way to track the package. Cassandra Strings, Inc. is not responsible for returns lost in transit. Because we cannot guarantee the fit of an instrument or bow in a case, we will not be liable for return shipping if an item does not fit your instrument or bow correctly.
You may request a pre-paid return shipping label for convenience and cost savings. Please note if you request a pre-paid return label from us, and if the merchandise you're returning is NOT defective or damaged, your pre-paid return label cost will be deducted from your refund. Attach the label to your package. Ensure the RA# you were issued is on the outside of the box. Unless there is a manufacturer defect or you were sent something in error, the shipping cost will be deducted from your refund. Cassandra Strings, Inc. does not pay for return shipping unless a mistake was made in the shipment.
Please send the product to:
Attn: Returns Manager
Cassandra Strings, Inc.
215 S. Main St.
Algonquin, IL 60102
Please note: Shipping charges are non-refundable. Defective products will be replaced, and return shipping will be reimbursed.
Hours:
Monday-Thursday
10 am-5 pm
Saturday
10 am-2 pm
847-458-7386
If you have any questions, please get in touch with customer service.